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YA Focus :: Young Adult Cancer Patient Advocacy Organizations (besides us)
Stupid Cancer
Offers programs and services, such as its annual conferences, to young adults with cancer
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Raising awareness and providing resources such as its Maryland/DC based patient navigation program for young adults with cancer
Dear Jack Foundation
Offers wish granting and psychosocial programs to AYA cancer families
CancerFightClub (*In person services are Canada based)
Provides AYA’s and their caregivers with resources and support services as well as a blog/messaging forum to connect with others
Young Adult Cancer Canada (*In person services are Canada based)
Offers young adults (ages 18-39) affected by cancer conferences, an online community, and webinars
AYA (*Canada based)
Lists resources available to Canadian young adults (15-39) affected by cancer and their families
Society for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology
Advancing AYA cancer care through research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration with health professionals
Shine (*UK based)
Provides information, peer support, and events for young adults with cancer experience
Trekstock (*UK based)
Provides resources and peer support for young adults (18-39) in the UK with cancer experience
CanTeen (*Australia based)
Provides resources and peer support for adolescents and young adults (12-24) in Australia with cancer experience and their caregivers
Teen Cancer America
Partners with hospitals to build age appropriate spaces for teens and young adults to connect.
Pink Pearl (*Canada based)
Provides support and an opportunity for young women with cancer to connect via “ask the expert” sessions, retreats, and packages for those newly diagnosed
Young Survival Coalition
Provides support and education to young adults with breast cancer
Bright Pink
Focuses on prevention and early detection of breast cancer in young women through educational workshops while providing peer-peer support for high risk young women
Rethink Breast Cancer
Educates and advocates for the unique needs of young women affected by breast cancer
Tigerlily Foundation
Provides peer support, education, and financial/meal assistance to young women with breast cancer
Sharsheret
Supports young Jewish women during and after breast cancer by providing peer support and educational resources
5Under40
Provides support and lessons learned from five women diagnosed with breast cancer under 40
Team Shan
Educates young women about their breast cancer risk and offers breast health education
Be Loud Sophie Foundation (*University of North Carolina hospitals based)
Developing resources for adolescents and young adults with cancer experience at University of North Carolina hospitals
Vital Options
Created National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week
13thirty Cancer Connect (Rochester and Buffalo, NY based)
Provides resources and support groups for 13-30 year olds with cancer experience.
15-40 Connection
Encourages early cancer detection by providing screening guidelines for common AYA cancers as well as a list of personal accounts of young adults affected by cancer
Sometimes it’s Cancer
Promotes early cancer detection by providing lists of common AYA cancers and symptoms
Cancerversity
Provides information, support, and inclusivity for young women of color and caregivers coping with the adversities of YA cancer
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Time for a break! :: Retreats
First Descents
Free adventure trips for young adults (under 40) affected by cancer
Athletes for Cancer
Free adventure trips for young adults affected by cancer
Mary’s Place By the Sea (*For those near Philadelphia)
A free healing beach retreat for women affected by cancer
Send It Foundation
Provides outdoor adventures for young adult cancer fighters (20-40)
Camp Mak-A-Dream
Offers free, Montana based retreats for young adults (18-40), teens, kids, women with cancer, and siblings of someone with cancer
Epic Experience (*Region specific trips but tries to accommodate all applicants)
Provides a free, Colorado based retreat for those who have been diagnosed with cancer at any age
On the Tip of the Toes Foundation (*For those in Canada)
Offers a free expedition for teens and young adults (18-29) undergoing or are no more than 5 years out of cancer treatment
The Cassie Hinds Shoes Foundation
Provides a weekend camp and social support for those who received a cancer diagnosis between ages 16-30 as well as financial support to attend other cancer camps and conferences
For Pete’s Sake (*Priority given to residents of MD, DE, PA, NJ, NY)
Provides trip grants for adults (24-55) who are in or within six months of finishing active cancer treatment
Nicolas Ritschel Foundation
Provides trip grants for young adults age 18-24 with a sarcoma diagnosis
Next Step (*In person services are New England based)
Provides free retreats and music therapy for teens and young adults with cancer, rare genetic diseases, and/or HIV
True North Treks
Offers wilderness treks with a focus on mindfulness for those diagnosed with cancer as a young adult (ages 18-40) who are post treatment
Camp Good Days and Special Times (*Keuka Lake, NY based)
Offers a free overnight camping retreat for young adults (age 18-39) who have received a cancer diagnosis in the past five years and a friend
Camp Simcha
Offers a free camp program to people between the ages of 6-20 in or out of treatment for cancer
Team Survivor Northwest (*Puget Sound based)
Provides exercise and support programs for women with a past or present cancer diagnosis
Survive and Thrive Cancer Programs
Offers adventure expeditions for adults and their caregivers affected by cancer. This is not a cost-free program but, there are limited stipends available
The Retreat Project
Runs a yoga retreat for low income cancer survivors
Teen Impact (*LA based)
Offers teen and young adult retreats and support groups
Cottage Dreams (*Canada based)
Donates a cottage get away to Canadians affected by cancer and their families and friends
A Fresh Chapter
Runs volunteer trips for adults, in or out of cancer treatment, and their caregivers (there is a program fee to participate)
The Colon Club
Raises awareness, educates, and helps those under the age of 45 with colorectal cancer through annual advocacy retreat and magazine
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Anyone out there? :: Peer Support
Imerman Angels
Provides one-on-one support for people affected by cancer
CancerCare: Young Adults (*In person services are NYC based)
Offers free virtual and in person support groups and webinars for young adults affected by cancer and their caregivers
Cancer Hope Network
Matches those with cancer and their caregivers with trained volunteer cancer survivors who have gone through a similar cancer experience
GRYT Health Cancer Community
An app that connects people with cancer with others who are the same age and have a similar diagnosis
CaringBridge
Provides an online platform to keep family and friends apprised of your health care experiences
My Lifeline
Create a website to keep your family and friends updated, coordinate visits and assistance requests, and send out donation requests
Smart Patients Young Adults Community
An online community for young adults with cancer
Hope for Two…The Pregnant with Cancer Network
Provides resources and peer-peer support for women pregnant while dealing with cancer
myBCTeam
Provides a social network for people affected by breast cancer
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Money, Money, Money :: Financial Assistance
SAMFund
Provides financial assistance grants for 21-39 year olds post treatment or on maintenance therapy and financial education webinars
DAM Cancer
Provides financial assistance to young adults (age 18-35) who have cancer
Allyson Whitney Foundation
Provides grants to young adults (ages 15-36) currently undergoing or within 6 months of treatment for a rare cancer for medical bills, rent, utilities, car and health insurance premiums, IVF treatments, integrative therapies, travel expenses, medical hair pieces, etc.
Hope for Young Adults with Cancer
Provides resources and funds for young adults (18-40) in or up to 5 years out of cancer treatment for everyday expenses
Family Reach
Provides financial assistance to young adults (18 to 30) living with cancer or within a year out of treatment for necessity expenses (i.e. rent, car repairs, etc.) and pro bono financial planners
Rachel’s Helping Hands Cancer Foundation (*Only available in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, Philadelphia, and surrounding counties in PA & NJ)
Provides financial help to families with cancer prescription costs and other out of pocket costs associated with copayments and medical expenses for treatments
Vickie’s Angel Foundation (*Only available in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill and York, PA counties)
Provides financial help to families facing cancer for non-medical expenses focusing on the basic necessities to survive (food, rent, car repairs, etc.)
Angel Foundation (*Only available in Minnesota-metro area)
Provides emergency financial assistance for non-medical expenses to adults in active cancer treatment
The Nicki Leach Foundation
Provides an educational grant to one young adult (16-30) in cancer treatment a year
My Hometown Heroes
Provides college scholarships for young adults(age 17-39) with cancer experience
Cancer for College
Provides college scholarships for those affected by cancer
Cancer Survivors’ Fund
Offers $1,000 college scholarship for a student who has or had cancer and funds to obtain prosthetics
Stephen T. Marchello Foundation (*Only available in Colorado and Montana)
Offers post-secondary grants for high school seniors in Colorado and Montana
The Susan Fund (*Only available for Fairfield County, CT residents)
Provides educational grants to those who have been diagnosed with cancer
CollegeScholarships.org
List of scholarship opportunities for students affected by cancer and their siblings
FinAid.org
List of scholarship opportunities for students affected by cancer
Sy’s Fund
Provides funding for meaningful gifts and integrative therapies (acupuncture, massage therapy, etc.) for those ages 18-39 in treatment or with a chronic cancer-like condition
L.I.F.E.
Provides financial assistance for needs not covered by insurance (gas, hotel stays, hospital bills, medication costs, and co-pays) or bucket list goals to families caring for young adults (ages 18-30) who have been diagnosed with cancer
Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope
Offers Life Grants to young adults (age 18-30) who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness to fulfill a dream or project that will make a difference in your life and the lives of others
The Breathing Room Foundation (*Services available for those in Philadelphia area)
Provides financial help for medical needs and utility and/or grocery bills to families affected by cancer in the Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery and Chester County area as well as volunteers to help with cleaning and preparing a meal. Also offers several holiday comfort and support events.
CancerCare
Provides limited financial assistance for transportation, home care, and child care for women and children with all cancer diagnoses and men with certain diagnoses and geographical locations
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
Helps make cancer co-payments more affordable for those currently receiving treatment for certain cancers in the US
Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief
Provides financial assistance to aid in the co-payments of cancer treatments for those insured with certain types of cancer/chronic illness
NeedyMeds
Lists drugs that provide patient assistance programs to make treatment available to those who may not be able to afford it
Joe’s House
List of discounted accommodation near hospitals for those affected by cancer
Hope Lodge
Provides free temporary housing to those who need to receive treatment out of town
Ulman House (*East Baltimore based)
Provides free housing for young adults with cancer and their caregivers
Angel Flight East (Serves the US East Coast but has contact with other regions)
Provides free flights on private planes to those with medical conditions traveling for treatment
Corporate Angel Network
Offers free empty seats on corporate jets for those with cancer traveling to an accredited treatment center for cancer treatment or a check up
Air Care Alliance
Helps connect you with a volunteer pilot who provides free air transport to medical treatment for those in financial need
LifeLine Pilots
Facilitates free air transportation for financially distressed individuals with medical needs
Patient AirLift Services
Arranges free air transportation for individuals requiring medical diagnosis, treatment or follow-up
Miracle Flights
Provides free flights to those in need of life-changing medical care not found in their local communities
GoFundMe
Crowdfunding site with a section dedicated to medical related expenses
A toolkit for navigating finances after cancer
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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall :: Body Image
Look Good, Feel Better
Boosting self-esteem of people going through cancer through instructive beauty workshops focused on managing cancer’s more transparent side effects
Nordstrom Breast Prosthesis Program
Aids in finding stylish post-mastectomy intimate apparel
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Oh Baby :: Fertility
Fertile Action
Educates those affected by cancer about fertility preservation options, offers peer support, and provides grants to reduce the cost of egg/embryo freezing, long term storage, egg donors, and surrogacy
Livestrong Fertility
Provides gender and age specific fertility information for those affected by cancer as well as an egg/embryo freezing discount program
MyOncoFertility
Educates patients and caregivers about cancer’s impact on fertility and provides self-advocacy tips
Preserve Fertility
Provides education, support and financial assistance for fertility preservation
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Order in the Court: Legal Resources
Cancer Legal Resource Center
Provides information and education about cancer-related legal issues to the public through its toll-free national telephone assistance line and webinars
Patient Advocate Foundation
Provides legal counseling regarding access, to care job retention, and medical debt to those with cancer
The National Cancer Legal Services Network
Supports and lists programs that increase the availability of legal services for people living with cancer
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Freebies! :: Free Gifts/Services
3 Little Birds 4 Life
Grants wishes to young adults ages 18-40 with any type of cancer at any stage
Dream Foundation
Grants wishes to adults facing life threatening illness
The Angels Anonymous Connection (*Only available in Canada)
Grants wishes to adults facing terminal illness
Willow Foundation (*Only available in UK)
Grants special days for young adults (16-40) in treatment for a life-threatening illness
Wish Upon a Wedding
Grants weddings or vowel renewals for couples facing terminal illness or serious, life-changing circumstances
Craig Willinger Fund
Grants trips to see soccer matches to young adults (10-25) with a cancer diagnosis
Lisa’s Army
Gives comfort packages to people undergoing cancer treatment
Phil’s Friends
Sends care packages to people with cancer
Shay Sharpe’s Pink Wishes
Grants wishes to young women (age 40 and under) who have been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer
Cleaning for a Reason
Provides free house cleaning services once a month for four months for women undergoing cancer treatment
Good Wishes
Provides one free scarf or wrap to anyone experiencing hair thinning or loss due to illness and/or treatment
ConnieCaps
Free handcrafted hats for those in cancer treatment
Breast Friends Hat Project
Provides a free hat to anyone experience chemo related hair loss
Chemocessories
Provides free, personalized accessory sets to women undergoing cancer treatment
Healing Heels
Gives a free pair of shoes to women undergoing cancer treatment
The Lydia Project
Provides free (shipping not usually included unless there is financial strain) inspirational totes to women currently in cancer treatment
Thrive Through Cancer (*Seattle based)
Provides a list of resources and “hope totes” for young adults beginning cancer treatment
Fighting Fancy
Provides free tote bags filled with helpful items for young adults (15-39) recently diagnosed with breast cancer
The Dragonfly Foundation (*Only available in Cincinnati and Chicago)
Provides gifts and long term hospital stay care packages for those with cancer or a bone marrow transplant (age 0-30)
Nanny Angel Network (*Only available in Canada)
Provides free nanny service to those in cancer treatment or in the early stages of recovery with children under 12 years old
Alli’s Jourey (*Only available in Canada)
Provides comfort bags to young adults beginning cancer treatment and supports AYA cancer research
The Why? Foundation
Provides “fighter bags” with donated products to anyone with a cancer diagnosis on a first come first serve basis
Yoga4Cancer *(NYC based)
Offers free yoga classes to those in or out of cancer treatment
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Gifter’s Block :: Gifts Specially Designed with Cancer in Mind
Chemo Bites
Sells and sends healthy snack boxes to a patient’s doorstep (or hospital room)
Chemo Cozy
Sells stylish and comfortable fleeces with built in easy port access
Survival Organs
Sells infectiously cute organs affected by cancer hand sewn by a young adult survivor
Lacuna Loft
Sells gift packages geared towards young adults in the midst of treatment
Lindi Skin
Sells skincare items designed specifically for those in the midst of cancer treatment
AnaOno
A lingerie line exclusively for women who’ve had breast cancer
Treatmint Box
Sells a monthly box full of practical and inspirational gifts for people dealing with a cancer diagnosis
Red Thread
Sells post-mastectomy accessories
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Page Turner :: YA Cancer Blogs and Other Reading
Livestrong’s Adolescent & Young Adult Resources
Library of AYA cancer topic-specific information and videos
Elephants and Tea
Magazine written for and by the AYA cancer community
Generation Why
Huffington Post’s young adult cancer related news and blog posts
New York Times “Life Interrupted” Column
Read Suleika Jaouad’s insightful personal account of her experience with cancer as a young adult
Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology
Read about the latest research in the newly burgeoning AYA oncology field –although not fully accessible to the public, some articles are free
NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Caring for Adolescents and Young Adults
Guidelines for young adults just diagnosed with and navigating cancer
Focus Under Forty
Provides educational reports about the biology and psychosocial issues young adults with cancer face
Rodeo in Joliet
Glenn Rockowitz’s memoir detailing his experience with cancer as a young adult
Terminally Illin’
Kaylin Andres artistically depicts her experience with cancer as a 23 year old in this clever comic book
Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20’s and 30’s
Kairol Rosenthal offers advice and stories from 25 young adults with cancer experiences
This Should Not Be Happening: Young Adults with Cancer
Dr. Anne Katz composed this guide for young adults with cancer based on interviews with 20 members of the young adult cancer community
Life, with Cancer: The Lauren Terrazzano Story
Pulitzer Prize winning writer Lauren Terrazzano’s advocacy and Newsday column detailing her experience with lung cancer under the age of 40 is recounted.
Invisible: How Young Women with Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships, and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine
An exploration of women navigating serious health issues at an age where they’re expected to be healthy, dating, having careers and children by a young adult cancer survivor
Cancer Knowledge Network
Provides resources and personal narratives focusing all aspects of living with cancer, such as music therapy, skin care, physical activity, working during chemo, and fertility preservation and publishes posts specifically on young adult cancer
Blog: HonestlyEmily
Emily Krauser documents her experience as a young adult post cancer
Blog: Just Three Words
One of our own YACCtors documents her experience being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23
Blog: Elle es Forte
One of our own YACCtors documents her experience with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and a stem cell transplant
Blog: Texting with Cancer
Natalie Sun documents her breast cancer diagnosis at age 25 through an optimistic and pessimistic texting conversation
Blog: EmBen Kicks Cancer
Emily Bennett Taylor documents her lung cancer diagnosis at age 28 as well as her experience with surrogacy
Blog: Young Adult Cancer Survivorship by Steve Pake
Steve Pake documents the impact his testicular cancer diagnosis at age 33 has had on his life
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Lights, Camera, YACCtion :: YA Cancer Videos
My Friend Has Cancer?!
Video series educating friends and family about how to talk about YA cancer (and featuring YACC’s co-founder!)
Cancer Rebellion
This documentary interviews teens and young adults about their cancer experience in each state across America
To the Stranger (Who Has Loved You)
This documentary follows young adults with cancer experience and their partners as they embark on a True North Trek adventure
Chasing Rainbows: Young Adults Living with Cancer
This documentary interviews six young adults about their experience with cancer
Life Interrupted Web Series
The NY Times Emmy award winning video series documenting Suleika Jaouad’s cancer experience
Valleys
Web Mini-Series exploring Amy and and her best friend Annie as they discuss their adventures down the Colorado River and young adult cancer experiences
I am a Visitor in Your World
Doccumentery exploring Becca Babcock’s experience with colon cancer and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis as a young adult
Get Empowered
A video series with advice for those who had cancer as a child
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In General :: General Cancer Resources
Cancer and Careers
Providing tools for people working during and post cancer
College Students Living with Chronic Illness
Tips for preparing for college following a cancer diagnosis
Chemo Between Classes
Advice for dealing with cancer during college from a young adult with cancer experience
Telling Kids About Cancer
Tips for talking to children about a cancer diagnosis
Cancer Support Community (*located in different cities throughout the country including Philly)
Offers free virtual and in person support and education programs for those affected by cancer
HopeLab
Develops social technologies to improve health and well-being such as their Re-Mission computer game where you can virtually blast cancer cells away
Twist Out Cancer
Enables anyone touched by cancer to connect and create through art projects and self-created challenges inspired by one’s cancer experience
Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation
Offers resources for cancer research, education, and survivorship
Malecare
Provides virtual support and resources for men dealing with cancer
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Mapquest :: Other Regional YA Cancer Meet Up Organizers
YACS of Atlanta
Organizes monthly YA cancer meet ups in Atlanta
YACS of Smith Center
Organizes monthly YA cancer meet ups and focus groups in DC
Midwest Young Adult Cancer Conference
Hosts an annual young adult cancer conference in Madison, WI
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YA Specialty :: Hospitals with an AYA Cancer Program
Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA)
Tufts Medical Center (Boston, MA)
MD Anderson (Houston, TX)
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center (Fort Worth, TX)
Cook’s Children’s (Fort Worth, TX)
Ochsner Children’s Health Center (New Orleans, LA)
University of Southern California Norris Cancer Center (Los Angeles, CA)
UCLA Daltrey/Townshend (Los Angeles, CA)
Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children’s / UC Irvine Health (Orange, CA)
Stanford’s Children’s Health (Palo Alto, CA)
Cleveland Clinic Children’s (Cleveland, OH)
Nationwide Children’s (Columbus, OH)
Seattle Children’s Hospital (Seattle, WA)
Knight Cancer Institute Oregon Health & Science University (Portland, OR)
Children’s Hospital of Chicago & Lurie Cancer Center (Chicago, IL)
The University of Chicago Medicine (Chicago, IL)
Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, FL)
Blank Children’s Hospital (De Moines, IA)
Monroe Carell Jr.’s Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (Nashville, TN)
Memorial Sloan Kettering (NYC, NY)
Roswell Park Cancer Center (Buffalo, NY)
University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (Richmond, VA)
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health (Philadelphia, PA)
McGill University (Canada)
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Please Specify: Disease-Specific Resources
Hereditary Colon Cancer Takes Guts
Provides educational resources and support to those dealing with hereditary colon cancer syndromes (F.A.P., MYH-Associated Polyposis, and Lynch, Cowden, Hereditary Mixed Polyposis, Juvenile Polyposis, Muir Torre, Peutz-Jeghers, and Turcot Syndromes)
OneVoice
Provides super-charged, rare disease specific online communities for all stakeholders (patients, caregivers, advocates, pharma, healthcare professionals) in a given rare disease
Testicular Cancer Society
Provides resources and support to young men affected by testicular cancer
Basser Center for BRCA
Provides education and support for individuals and families with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations
For the Breast of Us
Uplifts women of color affected by breast cancer by sharing stories that educate, inspire and connect
Mesothelioma Center
Provides helpful services and free resources to those affected by mesothelioma and their families
Mesothelioma Guide
Provides a free guide and list of support groups to those affected by mesothelioma