Advocacy, Education, and Support Groups

Today, people with cancer and their loved ones can find help and support from a wide array of organizations, advocacy groups, and support groups. Many are local groups, and some are national and even international organizations. Some support groups are limited to specific types of cancer and others are more general. Advocacy groups of all kinds often provide assistance to individuals as well as lobbying for research and changes in public policy.

The following list of advocacy and support groups provides a selection of some of the most helpful, reliable, and best-known organizations. They provide a variety of programs, educational materials, and other forms of support for people with cancer, their family members, caregivers, and friends. However, remember that every person's situation is unique, and these organizations are not a substitute for discussing your questions and concerns with your health care provider.

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/http://www.cancer.org
1-800-ACS-2345 (toll-free information line)
1-866-228-4327 for TTY

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a national organization working to eradicate cancer through research, advocacy, and service. Among its many services, the ACS has a call center that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to answer questions about cancer and link callers with resources in their communities.

American Institute for Cancer Research
http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer
1-800-843-8114

The American Institute for Cancer Research foundation promotes research about diet and cancer prevention. The website includes diet tips to prevent cancer, an option to sign up for free healthy recipes, and information about a nutrition hotline, where callers can speak with a registered dietitian. 

Association of Cancer Online Resources
http://www.acor.org/
This website includes cancer information, links to cancer research information, and an opportunity to join online discussion groups.

Cancer Care, Inc.
http://www.cancercare.org
1-800-813-HOPE

Cancer Care, Inc. provides free professional counseling, support groups, education, and referrals to cancer patients and their families. The web site includes a reading room with information about treatment side effects and communicating with your doctor. The website also offers information about free telephone education programs.

Cancer Hope Network
http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org
1-877-HOPENET (toll-free)
Cancer Hope Network has trained cancer survivor volunteers who offer free, one-to-one support to cancer patients who are undergoing treatment and their families. The website includes personal stories and networking information.
 
Caring Connections
http://www.caringinfo.org
1-800-658-8898

Caring Connections deals with the recognition and protection of individual rights at the end of life, including advance care planning, advance directives, and financial issues.

Coping With Cancer Magazine
http://www.copingmag.com

This is a consumer magazine for cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. It provides knowledge, hope, and inspiration from cancer survivors and health care professionals. Coping with Cancer Magazine also provides official annual coverage of National Cancer Survivors Day and is a national sponsor.

Dana Farber Cancer Institute
http://www.dfci.harvard.edu/

The Dana Farber Cancer Institute is a part of Harvard University. The website includes information about cancer, cancer prevention, and research. The website also includes information about how to make an appointment at the institute and how to find a doctor.
 
Gilda's Club Worldwide
http://www.gildasclub.org
1-888-GILDA-4-U

Gilda's Club is an international network of men, women, and children with cancer and their families and friends that builds social and emotional support as a supplement to medical care. All kinds and stages of cancer are welcome in 14 locations worldwide in free nonresidential homelike settings. The website includes club location information and cancer information.

Lance Armstrong Foundation
http://www.livestrong.org

The Lance Armstrong Foundation enhances the quality of life for people living with, through, and beyond cancer. Activities focus on survivorship resources and support, groundbreaking survivorship programs, national advocacy initiatives, and scientific and clinical research grants. The website includes survivor stories; emotional, physical, and practical topics for survivors; and information about the foundation's programs. The programs include fund-raising galas and an annual LIVESTRONG® Challenge, where participants can run, walk, or ride to raise money for the foundation's mission.

National Alliance for Hispanic Health
http://www.hispanichealth.org/

This foundation is dedicated to increasing the good health and well-being of Hispanics. The website includes an option to order colorectal cancer bilingual educational materials, such as a video, brochures, and public service announcements (PSAs). The website also includes fact sheets about common cancer types, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

National Asian Women's Health Organization
http://www.nawho.org/index.html

This organization addresses the health needs of Asian women and families. The website offers information about the organization's breast and cervical cancer program, which helps educate Asian women by using mass media and cultural competency training for health care professionals. The website also includes a listing of contact information for state health departments and other organizations that distribute cancer education materials in various Asian languages.

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov
1-800-422-6237
TTY: 1-800-332-8615

The NCI is a federal organization and a component of the National Institute of Health. The NCI's National Cancer Program supports and conducts research and distributes cancer information. The website includes information about various cancer topics, research information, and cancer statistics. The website also includes a description of the NCI's initiative to eliminate cancer death and suffering by the year 2015.

National Cancer Survivor's Day Foundation
http://www.ncsdf.org/index.html

This foundation sponsors the National Cancer Survivor's Day and provides free community education and networking at National Cancer Survivor's Day events. The website includes information about organizing, planning, and attending a National Cancer Survivor's Day event.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
http://www.canceradvocacy.org/
877-NCCS-YES (877-622-7937)

This website includes cancer news, advocacy information, and audio tools for survivors and caregivers, including topics such as "Making Decisions" and "Finding Ways to Pay for Care."

Oley Foundation
http://www.oley.org
1-800-776-OLEY

This foundation offers education, emotional support, and outreach services for patients fed by IV or tube at home and their families and caregivers. The website includes conference and networking information.

Patient Advocate Foundation
http://www.patientadvocate.org
1-800-532-5274

This foundation serves as an active liaison between the patient and his or her insurer, employer, and/or creditor to resolve insurance, job retention, and/or debt crisis matters relative to his or her diagnosis. The website includes success stories and advocacy program information.

People Living With Cancer-American Society of Clinical Oncology
http://www.plwc.org/portal/site/PLWC

This website provides information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The website includes information about online question and answer forums with cancer experts, ways to cope with the emotional and physical aspects of cancer, and what to expect as a cancer survivor.

R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc.
http://www.blochcancer.org
1-800-433-0464

The foundation and website offer free information, a list of multidisciplinary second opinion centers, and an option to contact another cancer survivor. The website also includes cancer articles, quizzes, and checklists.

Ronald McDonald House Charities
http://www.rmhc.org

This charity offers a refuge from the hospital, a "home-away-from-home" for families with seriously ill children. The website includes patient stories and program information.

Sisters Network, Inc.
http://www.sistersnetworkinc.org

This organization is run by African-American breast cancer survivors. It provides individual/group support, community education, advocacy, and research through affiliate chapters nationwide. The website includes cancer facts and outreach information.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
http://www.ulmanfund.org
1-888-393-3863

This fund provides free support programs, education, and resources to benefit young adults with cancer and their families and friends. It also promotes awareness and prevention of cancer. The website includes patient stories and event information.

The Wellness Community
http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org
1-888-793-WELL

This organization provides free, professionally led support groups nationwide. Health and well-being are promoted through education, stress management, and social networking in a homelike community setting. The website includes cancer information and an opportunity to join online support groups.

Vital Options International
http://www.vitaloptions.org
1-800-477-7666

This organization promotes worldwide communication programs for cancer patients and their families and friends. The Group Room is a weekly cancer talk show available through the worldwide web and XM radio. The website offers an opportunity to listen to current and previous radio shows. The site also lists a schedule of upcoming shows.