Cancer Support Services
Speak with a social worker or nurse navigator at your cancer center to see what local support services are available in your community. Below are a few organizations that I have personally found helpful. Health Through Cancer is not employed by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by any of the following organizations.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Surviving Breast Cancer is a resource for women with breast cancer that provides support groups, caregiver support, yoga, qigong, meditations, affirmations, chakra information, art therapy, writing workshops, information on clinical trials, and nature bathing classes. They also offer services in Spanish.
Sharsheret (Hebrew for chain) is a Jewish organization that supports women and men diagnosed with or at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. They support persons of any background or faith. The organization offers peer support, genetic support, financial information and assistance, "Best Face Forward" beauty kits, surgery support kits, "Busy Boxes" containing activities and toys for children to use while a parent is undergoing treatment, caregiver support, and more.
Integrative Therapy
Unite for Her is an organization that provides a passport for free integrative services and wellness therapies for breast and ovarian cancer survivors including counseling, yoga, nutrition, reiki, massage, breath work, and acupuncture. They provide a passport of 10 free services during active treatment, and metastatic cancer survivors can renew their passport every 6 months.
Resources for Families
Bright Spot Network is a incredible online resource for young families facing a diagnosis of cancer. They offer free postpartum kits, age-appropriate kids books explaining cancer, and a Bright Box containing crafts (6 projects, instructions and supplies to help occupy kids under 10 during treatment). They also offer Bright Club, a monthly opportunity for kids to connect virtually using themed activities, mindfulness, art, and reading. Check out their resources pages for how to navigate weaning from breast feeding after a cancer diagnosis, how to specifically ask for help from friends, coloring pages, as well as videos entitled, "Ask a Therapist" which tackle how to have tough conversations with your children.
Resources for Young Adults
Cactus Cancer Society is an online community for young adults with cancer (ages 18-45) to connect, cope, and thrive with one another in an online community through creativity and expression. They offer online support groups, book club, crafting, Lego building, meditation, writing workshops. I recommend their weekly 5- minute journal prompt. It is email to you on a Monday and offers a short, thoughtful prompt as an encouraging starting point.
Stupid Cancer is an online community for young adults with cancer that provides support and advocacy. They also offer Cancer Con, a life-changing weekend for young adults with cancer. Each year, Cancer Con brings together patients, survivors, advocates and health professionals to learn, share, and build community. There is a virtual and an in-person Cancer Con. Stupid Cancer also offers digital and in person meet-ups, craft and painting sessions.
ElephantsandTea is a support network for young adults with cancer and also offers virtual programming including yoga nidra, happy hour, conversations called "Perkatory", and an annual young adult cancer camp to create a community. As they put it, "The Elephant in the room is cancer. Tea is the relief conversation provides."
Elephants and Tea Magazine is a young adult cancer magazine written by survivors and primarily targeted toward a young adult cancer survivor and caregiver audience, but many of the stories and topics are universal. Find a list of helpful resources at the back of the magazine including support groups and immersive cancer survivor adventures. The magazine is available online for free.
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Peer Support
ABCD (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis) provides one-on-one emotional supports to anyone affected by breast cancer - patients, family and friends. All mentors are breast cancer survivors at least 1 year out from treatment that have been professionally trained and are matched to the recipient to help deliver free, confidential support by phone or online.
Imerman Angels offers personalized, free, one-on-one cancer support for cancer fighters, survivors, pre-vivors and caregivers.
Movement Resources
Livestrong Through the YMCA offers a nation-wide, free, 12-week group training program. The program has two, 75 to 90 minute sessions per week and targets cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance, and flexibility with pre and post program measurements to see how far you’ve come. It is facilitated by YMCA instructors. You also get a free 12-week membership to the YMCA during the program.
​The Adventure Project from Mission offers grants to help young cancer survivors (ages 12-39) financial impediments that may be stopping them from training, exercising, and competing. They helping our grant recipients reclaim their lives and living their dreams with comprehensive programs for young cancer survivors to support coaching, training, equipment, personal training and/or gym membership. The grants are $500-1000.
