During this difficult and challenging time, we are here for those in need of support. Beyond our normal CSC Massachusetts programs, you can also find help at these sources in the community and beyond.
National Resources
Cancer Support Community
The Cancer Support Community is an international nonprofit dedicated to providing support, education, and hope to people affected by cancer. CSC's Cancer Support Helpline offers free navigation for cancer patients or their loved ones by phone at 888-793-9355.
American Cancer Society
Dedicated to helping persons who face cancer; supports research, patient services, early detection, treatment, and education.
American Institute for Cancer Research
AICR champions the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight, and physical activity.
Cancer Care
Provides free telephone resource navigation, whether you are in treatment, post-treatment, survivorship, or caregiving.
Cancer and Careers
Cancer and Careers empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplace by providing expert advice, interactive tools, and educational events.
Cancer Experience Registry
The Cancer Experience Registry survey uncovers the emotional, physical, practical, and financial impact of cancer so patients and caregivers receive the support they need. By taking the survey, you join thousands of others in helping to influence healthcare policies, enhance cancer care, and improve support services.
Cancer Hope Network
Free and confidential one-on-one support to cancer patients and their families.
Cancer.net
Provides personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.
CaringBridge
A CaringBridge website is a personal health journal, rallying friends and family during any type of health journey. Start a free CaringBridge website today.
Cleaning for a Reason
Free house cleaning for patients in active treatment for cancer.
LIVESTRONG Foundation
The LIVESTRONG Foundation improves the lives of people affected by cancer now. The Foundation provides free services for cancer patients and survivors today and advocates for policies that improve their access to care and quality of life.
MyLifeLine
This online resource provides a customizable communication platform and blog space that connects patients and caregivers to their larger support network. MyLifeLine members can also join discussion forums on a wide range of topics, including coping with side effects, nutrition & wellness, and caregiver support. This is an online program of the Cancer Support Community.
The National LGBT Cancer Network
Our country’s first and leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cancer survivor support and advocacy nonprofit organization.
Triage Cancer
Dedicated to helping survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals navigate cancer survivorship issues by connecting them to experts, information, and resources.
Diagnosis Specific
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Breast Cancer - The Ellie Fund
International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)
Prostate Cancer Research Institute
Education
Cancer Support Community – Ask Ruby
Videos answering your questions about topics ranging from clinical trials and insurance to financial toxicity.
Cancer Support Community – Get Educated and Inspired
Discover articles, videos, podcasts, and more to help you learn about cancer and find inspiration.
Frankly Speaking About Cancer®
Cancer Support Community’s Frankly Speaking About Cancer is Cancer Support Community’s landmark cancer education series that provides trusted information on a variety of topics important to those affected by cancer. The series provides innovative health education through print and digital publications, e-learning courses, online materials, webinars, in-person workshops, and a weekly radio show.
Emotional/Mental Health
GRYT Health
Online and app-based community for anyone impacted by cancer to share their experiences and connect with others. They offer free online webinars focused on living with cancer.
NAMI
NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness to individuals and families that are affected by mental illness live better lives.
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective
Non-profit, nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing affordable therapy sessions at a discounted rate (between $30-$60) to individuals, couples, children, and families in need.
Stupid Cancer Webinar “Coping with Social Isolation and Fear”
This webinar suggests coping tools and insights for managing mental health in this challenging time for the immunocompromised community.
Talkspace Online Therapy
Network of licensed clinicians who provide therapy via text and video calls.
The Healing Trust’s Self-Care Planning Guide
Don’t know where to start with self-care? Try this template with tools and instructions to assist in creating a personalized self-care plan.
Financial/Legal Assistance
Cancer1Source
Through Cancer Resource Foundation, this organization assists in providing financial assistance for genetic screening co-pays (or free screenings in those who are not insured in certain states).
Cancer Care Foundation
Through Cancer Resource Foundation, this organization assists in providing financial assistance for genetic screening co-pays (or free screenings in those who are not insured in certain states).
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
CFAC is a coalition of organizations helping cancer patients manage their financial challenges.
Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC)
The CLRC provides information and education about cancer-related legal issues to the public through its national telephone assistance line. The CLRC also conducts national education and outreach programs for community groups, employers and healthcare professionals and is actively involved in community activities to raise public awareness of cancer-related legal and public policy issues.
Cancer Support Community – Cancer Insurance Checklist
This Checklist is designed to provide guidance on the issues that you as a person with cancer, with a history of cancer or with a high risk for cancer should consider when shopping for insurance
HealthWell Foundation
Helping the underinsured afford critical medical treatments — because no one should go without essential care.
Heaps of Hope
Financial assistance for women living with cancer.
Family Reach
Financial Support for Families Facing Cancer.
Joe Andruzzi Foundation
Providing help, hope, and a reason to smile, for New England cancer patients and their families by contributing financial support when it is needed most.
Grief and Bereavement
GoodShepardCommunityCareGriefandBereavement
HeartPlay
HEARTplay is a heart-centered bereavement program whose mission is to support children, teens and young adults of all abilities and their families who are coping with the life-limiting illness or death of an important person in their lives.
Mount Auburn Hospital Bereavement Support Group
Poems
We Remember Them – Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer
Talking to Grief – Denise Levertov
The Long Boat – Stanley Kunitz
Meal and Nutrition
Cancer Support Community Diet and Nutrition
Educational information on eating well during and after cancer treatment, including free articles, PDF guides and recipes.
Ina [interactive nutrition assistant]
Helps people with cancer eat healthy and stay well-nourished throughout their treatment and beyond.
PearlPoint Nutrition Services
Free nutrition education and consultations with a dietician for patients and caregivers of all types of cancer.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
Calm
An app for meditation and sleep.
Pain Management
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
American Chronic Pain Association
Children’s Hospice International (CHI)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Patient to Patient Tools/Resources
Newly diagnosed or in the active treatment? Read online or print to read at your leisure. Written by a cancer patient for a cancer patient.
A Pass
A poem about self-forgiveness by Cathy McGrath. Give yourself a pass.
A Street-Smart Guide to Getting Through Cancer
This booklet was written for cancer patients by a cancer patient who actually lived it. It addresses the physical and emotional challenges a person faces while going through treatment. It also explains the importance of being your own best advocate, and it addresses difficult situations, such as feeling out of control, guilty, and fearful, and how to handle insensitive comments. It teaches you to be kind to themselves with "a pass" and encourages you to do more than be a patient.
Follow-Up Care Guide Booklet
Completed treatment? This follow-up survivorship guide was written by a cancer patient for a cancer patient. Includes a booklet (Read online or print to read at your leisure): “Follow Up Care Guide After Treatment Plan: A Patient’s Perspective” and 6 forms to print and assemble in a 2-pocket folder.
Patient Organizer
The Patient Organizer was designed by a breast cancer patient while going through treatment. It provides a system of organization and specific forms to ease the burden of the onslaught of paperwork. Print and assemble in a 12-pocket accordion file folder.
Instructions
Patient Organizer PDF
Wigs and Scarves
American Cancer Society TLC Catalog
Post-surgical apparel, scarves, hats, and wigs.
Hair to Stay
Grants to offset cost of scalp cooling treatment to minimize hair loss during chemotherapy.
Headcovers
Scarves, hats, and wigs.
Hope Scarves
Sharing hope with people facing cancer through scarves, stories and research.
Youth and Young Adults
Camp Quality USA
Family programming and camp for pediatric cancer patients.
First Descents
Provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18-39) impacted by cancer.
Kids Cancer Alliance
Family programming and camp for pediatric cancer patients.
Make-a-Wish
Grants wishes to eligible children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human spirit with hope, strength, and joy.
Super Sibs
National nonprofit organization ensuring that siblings of children with cancer are honored, supported, and recognized so they may face the future with strength, courage, and hope.
SLAP’D (Surviving Life After a Parent Dies)
This organization provides support and resources to young people who are coping with the death of a parent.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Provide tailored emotional, financial, educational, physical, and practical support services. Programs include cancer to 5k, scholarships, and remote patient navigation.
Young Survival Coalition
A nonprofit organization oriented to support and educate about breast cancer in younger women.