Cancer and Blood Disorders Program

Below is a list of community resources that other families have found to be helpful. There are many other programs, agencies, and organizations that we have not listed that may be able to assist your family.

• American Cancer Society (ACS) - The ACS sponsors support groups for patients, parents and siblings and may also be able to help with non-medical expenses such as wigs, transportation, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and non-medical bills. ACS is based in each county and services may vary from chapter to chapter. Call (888) 227-5445 or visit them online. They also offer the Look Good, Feel Better program, which teaches cancer patients hands-on cosmetic techniques to help them cope with appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
• The American Society of Clinical Oncology - Oncologist-approved information on more than 120 types of cancer and cancer-related syndromes.
• CureSearch - This website is sponsored by the National Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Children's Oncology Group. Information on specific cancer types, treatment stages, age groups, and how to navigate the healthcare system is available.
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
• National Cancer Institute - Information about cancer for patients, the public and the media. Features research updates, plus advice on prevention and early detection.
• The National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS) - NCCS can help to provide financial assistance to families for non-medical expenses such as travel reimbursement, meals for inpatient hospital stays, phone cards, and lodging. Call 1-800-5-FAMILY or visit them online.

• CancerKids - Learn the personal stories of children fighting many different types of cancer.
• Next Step - An organization for teens and young adults with cancer and life-threatening blood diseases that offers retreats and workshops around the country.
• Songs of Love - An organization that creates free personalized songs for chronically ill children and young adults. Ask your social worker for an application or download one from the website.
• Teens Living With Cancer - A site for teens with cancer that has information on coping with hair loss, friends, family, school, and much more.

• Sibshops - A part of the Sibling Support Project, Sibshops are interactive workshops for siblings of kids with special needs. It focuses on peer support and celebrates the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs. Ask your social worker for more information.
• SuperSibs - A national organization to honor, support and recognize siblings of children diagnosed with cancer. For more information, please ask your social worker.

• CancerCare for Young Adults - Offers specialized services for young adults, caregivers and those who have lost a loved one.
• Fertile Hope - A national, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
• First Descents - Provides whitewater kayaking and other outdoor adventure experiences to promote emotional, psychological and physical healing for young adults with cancer.
• I'm Too Young for This - An all-inclusive young adult cancer community.
• LiveStrong Young Adult Alliance - A coalition of organizations with the goal of improving survival rates and quality of life for young adults with cancer between the ages of 15 and 40.
• Next Step - An organization for teens and young adults with cancer and life-threatening blood diseases that offers retreats and workshops around the country.
• Planet Cancer - An online community of young adults with cancer.