Cancer

Self Help Clearinghouse

International. 32 groups in U.S. Founded 1970. Support for parents of children and adolescents with cancer, their families, adult survivors of childhood cancer, and the professionals working with them. Links parents, families and groups. Provides psychosocial support, educational resource materials, and advocates on behalf of childhood cancer. Newsletter, youth newsletter, educational materials and publication list.
Write:
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Fdn.
PO Box 498
Kensington, MD 20895-0498
Voice: 1-800-366-2223 or 301-962-3520
Fax: 301-962-3521
Website: http://www.candlelighters.org
E-mail: staff@candlelighters.org
Verified: 05/01/2007

National network. Founded 1986. Grassroots network that works on behalf of persons with any type of cancer. Mission is to advocate for quality of cancer care for all Americans by leading and strengthening the survivorship movement, empowering cancer survivors and advocating for policy issues affecting survivors' quality of life. Provides information on employment and insurance issues, referrals and publications. Newsletter. Guidelines available to help start a similar group.
Write:
NCCS
1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 770
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Voice: 301-650-9127 (day)
Fax: 301-565-9670
Website: http//:www.canceradvocacy.org
E-mail: info@canceradvocacy.org
Verified: 11/12/2007

(BILINGUAL) National. 66 chapters. Founded 1949. Educational materials, patient financial aid, and support services for patients, families and friends coping with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancers. Support group meetings schedule depends on location. Patients should consult local chapter. Live help online (10am-5pm EST).
Write:
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310
White Plains, NY 10605
Voice: 1-800-955-4572 or 914-949-5213
Website: http://www.lls.org
E-mail: infocenter@lls.org
Verified: 11/05/2007

International. 150 affiliated groups. Founded 1984. Provides support and advocacy for prostate cancer patients, their families and the general public at risk. Information relative to the advancements in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of prostate cancer. Information, referrals, phone help, conferences and newsletter. Group development guidelines.
Write:
PAACT
P.O. Box 141695
Grand Rapids, MI 49514-1695
Voice: 616-453-1477
Fax: 616-453-1846
Website: http://www.paactusa.org
E-mail: paact@paactusa.org
Verified: 05/02/2007

International. 300 affiliated groups. Founded 1990. Education and support provided for men and their families with fellowship and peer counseling. Timely, personalized, unbiased and reliable information about prostate cancer. Monthly newsletter distributed through support groups and also on website.
Write:
US Too Intl Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network
5003 Fairview Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515-5286
Voice: 1-800-808-7866 or 630-795-1002 (day)
Fax: 630-795-1602
Website: http://www.ustoo.org
E-mail: ustoo@ustoo.org
Verified: 11/03/2007

National. 55 affiliated groups. Founded 1991. Patient-directed self-help program offering information, encouragement, support, acceptance and self-expression for persons with oral, head and neck cancer. National Survivor Volunteer Network offering one-on-one support, phone support, educational programs and publications. Assistance in starting groups. Membership dues $25 (includes 8 newsletters).
Write:
SPOHNC
P.O. Box 53
Locust Valley, NY 11560-0553
Voice: 1-800-377-0928
Fax: 516-671-8794
Website: http://www.spohnc.org
E-mail: info@spohnc.org
Verified: 04/26/2007

National. 325 affiliated groups. Founded 1990. Support and education for men with prostate cancer to enable them better understand their options and to make informed decisions. Phone support, information and referrals, support group meetings, education and support visitation program. Newsletter. Some chapters invite wives and partners. Other chapters have wives and partners meet separately. Assistance available for starting new groups.
Voice: 1-800-227-2345 (American Cancer Society)
Website: http://www.cancer.org
Verified: 04/24/2007

National. Founded 1990. Provides information about kidney cancer to patients and doctors. Sponsors research, and advocates on behalf of patients. E-newsletter, literature, conferences, information and referrals.
Write:
Kidney Cancer Association
1234 Sherman Ave., Suite 203
Evanston, IL 60202
Voice: 1-800-850-9132 or 847-332-1051
Fax: 847-332-2978
Website: http://www.kidneycancer.org
E-mail: office@kidneycancer.org
Verified: 05/02/2007

Model. 35 groups in New Mexico. Founded 1983. Helps cancer survivors and their loved ones make informed choices and improve the quality of life by sharing in a community of people who have 'been there.' Newsletter, information and referrals, support groups and advocacy. Dues $35/yr. (includes subscription to journal). Conducts national training for American Indians and Alaskan natives who are interested in developing cancer survivorship programs based on a grassroots program serving Pueblo Indians.
Write:
People Living Through Cancer
3401 Candelaria NE
Albuquergue, NM 87107
Voice: 505-242-3263
Fax: 505-242-6756
Website: http://www.pltc.org
E-mail: pltc@pltc.org
Verified: 11/12/2007

National. 80 affiliated divisions. Founded 1995. Promotes education and awareness regarding ovarian cancer for patients, families and medical community. Information and referrals, networking, conferences, literature and phone support. Helps develop statewide divisions.
Write:
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
500 NE Spanish River Blvd. Suite 8
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Voice: 1-888-682-7426 or 561-393-0005
Fax: 561-393-7275
Website: http://www.ovarian.org
E-mail: nocc@ovarian.org
Verified: 11/03/2007

National. Founded 1944. Support for cancer patients and their families. Financial assistance, information and referrals, community and professional education. On-going telephone, online and in-person support groups. Free counseling.
Write:
Cancer Care Inc.
275 Seventh Ave.
New York, NY 10001
Voice: 1-800-813-4673
Fax: 212-719-0263
Website: http://www.cancercare.org
E-mail: info@cancercare.org
Verified: 11/20/2007

Model. Several groups in Washington, DC. Founded 1990. Cancer support and survivorship groups for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women who partner with women (WPWs), their partners and caregivers. Bereavement support groups for WPWs who have lost a partner, friend or loved one. Smoking cessation groups for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Health self-empowerment groups for black WPWs. Provides phone and online support to WPWs outside the DC-Metro area. Provides LGBT cultural competency training to health care professionals and their staff members. Educates the lesbian/WPW community about health issues. Information and referrals, phone support, literature, newsletter and advocacy.
Write:
Mautner Project
1707 L St. NW, Suite 230
Washington, DC 20036
Voice: 1-866-628-8637or 202-332-5536 (day)
Fax: 202-332-0662
TDD: 202-332-5536
Website: http://www.mautnerproject.org
E-mail: mautner@mautnerproject.org
Verified: 11/03/2007

International network. Helps support over 89 myeloma support groups in the US. Founded 1990. Mission is to improve the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure. Educational and supportive programs, information packets, phone support and newsletter. Networks patients together for mutual support. Referrals to self-help groups nationwide. Guidelines offered to assist those interested in starting a group.
Write:
International Myeloma Fdn.
12650 Riverside Dr., Suite 206
North Hollywood, CA 91607
Voice: 818-487-7455 or 1-800-452-2873 (day)
Fax: 818-487-7454
Website: http://www.myeloma.org
E-mail: TheIMF@myeloma.org
Verified: 11/03/2007

Online. Provides information related to different types of cancer, with an emphasis on rare types of cancer. ACOR Also provides contacts for caregivers and hosts a large collection of patient websites.
Write:
ACOR
173 Duane St., Suite 3A
New York, NY 10013-3334
Voice: 212-226-5525
Fax: 212-219-3109
Website: http://www.acor.org
Verified: 09/24/2007

National. 20 chapters. Founded 1991. Devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. Provides information and emotional support for lymphoma patients and their families. Offers free educational materials, lymphoma helpline, national buddy program, quarterly newsletter, annual patient educational forum and local seminars. Fundraises for research. Advocacy. Some materials available in Spanish and Chinese.
Write:
Lymphoma Research Fdn. of Amer.
8800 Venice Blvd., #207
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Voice: 310-204-7040 or 1-800-500-9976
Fax: 310-204-7043
Website: http://www.lymphoma.org or http://www.lymphomafacts.org
E-mail: LRF@lymphoma.org
Verified: 09/19/2007

National. 17 affiliated groups. Founded 1993. Opportunity for children who have a parent with cancer to connect with other children in similar situations for support and understanding. Groups are headed by youth leaders and co-facilitated by professionals. Hotline, Youth Leadership program, monthly meetings, newsletter, summer camps, information and referrals.
Write:
Kids Konnected
27071 Cabot Rd., Suite 102
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Voice: 1-800-899-2866 or 949-582-5443 (24 hr)
Website: http://www.kidskonnected.org
E-mail: info@kidskonnected.org
Verified: 04/25/2007

Online. Founded 1999. Support and education for women whose family history and genetic status put them at high risk of getting ovarian or breast cancer. Open to family members. Provides resources for women to determine if they are at high risk. Forums, chats, bulletin boards, member profiles and phone support network.
Write:
FORCE
16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. W, #373
Tampa, FL 33647
Voice: 954-255-8732 or 1-866-824-7475
Fax: 954-827-2200
Website: http://www.facingourrisk.org
E-mail: info@facingourrisk.org
Verified: 11/03/2007

National network. Founded 1986. Support network to help patients and families dealing with familial polyposis and hereditary colon cancer. Provides information and referrals, encourages research, educates professionals and public. Phone support network, correspondence and literature.
Write:
IMPACC
P.O. Box 11
Conyngham, PA 18219
Voice: Ann Fagan 570-788-1818 (day) or 570-788-3712 (eve)
Fax: 570-788-4046
E-mail: impacc@epix.net
Verified: 11/12/2007

Online. Provides information and support to cancer patients and their families. Specific cancer websites include: colon, pancreas, ovarian, gallbladder and bile duct. Also has message boards for Barrett's esophagus and non-cancerous conditions.
Write:
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
600 N. Wolfe St. / Carnegie 417
Baltimore, MD 21287
Website: http://www.pathology2.jhu.edu/department/patientcare.cfm (select condition from drop down menu)
Verified: 04/30/2007

Online. A resource for working women with cancer, their employers, coworkers and caregivers. Offers first-hand experiences and articles for working women with cancer. Provides resource information and publications via the website.
Write:
E-mail: ksweeney@cew.org
Website: http://www.cancerandcareers.org
E-mail: ksweeney@cew.org
Verified: 11/10/2007

(BILINGUAL) Model. Founded 1976. Provides support to women with breast or ovarian cancer, their families, and friends. Support groups led by trained survivors. Cutting edge educational forums and advocacy activities held throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
Write:
SHARE
1501 Broadway, Suite 704A
New York, NY 10036
Voice: 1-866-891-2392; Breast Cancer Hotline: 212-382-2111; Ovarian Hotline: 212-719-1204; Latina Hotline (Spanish) : 212-719-4454; Outside NYC: 1-866-891-2392; NY State Ovarian Hotline: 1-866-537-4273
Fax: 212-869-3431
Website: http://www.sharecancersupport.org
Verified: 09/24/2007

National. Founded 1997. Created by three women who were diagnosed with cancer while pregnant. Mission is to let women know that they are not alone facing cancer and pregnancy. Links women together who have a similar diagnosis. Newsletter.
Write:
Pregnant With Cancer Network
P.O. Box 1243
Buffalo, NY 14420
Voice: 1-800-743-4471
Website: http://www.pregnantwithcancer.org
Verified: 04/30/2007

National. Support, education and communication for people with all types of thyroid cancer, as well as caregivers. Outreach to the public for thyroid cancer awareness and early detection. Nine online support groups, local support groups, free online newsletter, free downloadable low-iodine cookbook, free regional workshops, annual international conference and free thyroid cancer awareness brochures. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, funding for research and educational website.
Write:
Survivors' Association
P.O. Box 1545
New York, NY 10159-1545
Voice: 1-877-588-7904
Fax: 630-604-6078
Website: http://www.thyca.org
E-mail: thyca@thyca.org
Verified: 04/25/2007

Online. Support for teens with cancer and their parents. Weekly scheduled online support groups with professionals, discussion boards, resources, information and news about many types of cancers and their affect on teens.
Website: http://www.grouploop.org
Verified: 04/30/2007

Online. Founded 2005. National advocacy organization dedicated to improving public awareness of bladder cancer, increasing research directed towards the diagnosis, treatment and cure of the disease. Weekly online support chats. Plans to help local chapters nationwide.
Write:
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
4813 St. Elmo Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
Voice: 1-888-901-2226 or 301-215-9099
Website: http://www.bcan.org
E-mail: dzquale@bcan.org
Verified: 04/11/2007