Cancer Resources for Caregivers
Below are a variety of external resources that can provide guidance on camps and activities for cancer patients, as well as information on scholarships, support and guidance for teens and young adults that may be helpful for families as they undergo treatment and move into survivorship.
Resources
- Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation This foundation provides support and assistance to single parents who are struggling with the balance between their jobs and caring for their children.
- Bone Marrow Transplant Information Network The Blood and Marrow Transplant Information Network is a not-for-profit organization dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of persons facing a bone marrow, blood stem cell or umbilical cord blood transplant. In addition to publications, they also offer patients and survivors emotional support.
- Can Do Can Do is an ability-focused website dedicated to helping all people develop a can-do attitude and approach to life no matter what the obstacle. The site offers stories, activities and resources to help create a better understanding and deeper appreciation of how people can overcome their challenges and reach their dreams by using their abilities and a can-do attitude.
- CancerCare CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer, including people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones and the bereaved.
- Kristie’s Foundation Kristie’s Foundation is dedicated to providing support, assistance and cherished moments to critically ill children and their families. The foundation’s focus is on end-of-life care for children and support for the families who love them.
- Make a Wish Foundation Make a Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
- National Childhood Cancer Foundation The shared vision of CureSearch, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Children’s Oncology Group is to reach the day when every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure. Find information related to cancer type, treatment stage and age group, as well as tips on navigating the health care system and how to get support.
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) NCCS is the oldest survivor-led advocacy organization working on behalf of this country’s nearly 10 million cancer survivors and the millions more touched by this disease. Founded in 1986, NCCS continues to lead the cancer survivorship movement by educating those affected by cancer and speaking out on issues related to quality cancer care.
- Ronald McDonald House The idea behind the Orange County Ronald McDonald House is simple: provide a comfortable and affordable home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
- Starlight Children's Foundation Starlight Children's Foundation offers a variety of outpatient, hospital-based and web resources that provide support for children and families, from diagnosis through the entire course of medical treatment. The foundation's programs aim to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families with others facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone.
- The National Children’s Cancer Society The mission of The National Children's Cancer Society is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families worldwide. The society serves as a financial, emotional and educational resource for those in need at every stage of illness and recovery.
- The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults offers a network of support services that addresses the unique needs of the young adult cancer population.
- Vital Options Vital Options maintains an informative and user friendly website to help connect patients, their family members and friends to gather information and resources, as well as access to The Group Room radio show Internet simulcast.
- The National Melanoma Awareness Project The National Melanoma Awareness Project began as an expansion of the Joel Myres Melanoma Awareness Project, which was initiated in 2003 by a group of medical students at the University of California, Irvine. Students involved with the project teach local teens about skin and melanoma prevention.
- The Childhood Leukemia Foundation (CLF) CLF's mission is to lift the spirit and enhance the quality of life of children suffering with cancer. It is a national nonprofit organization that offers a wide range of services at no charge to the child and family.
- The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
- Histiocytosis Association of America The Histiocytosis Association of America is dedicated to raising awareness about histiocytic disorders, providing educational and emotional support and funding research leading to better treatments and a cure.
- CureSearch CureSearch for Children’s Cancer offers one of the most comprehensive pediatric cancer libraries on the internet with information on specific cancers, what to expect at the different stages of treatments and much more. Go to the “For Parents/Families” section to access CureSearch’s easy-to-navigate library.
- The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation This nonprofit foundation is dedicated to finding the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors by supporting medical research, increasing public awareness about the severity and prevalence of childhood brain tumors, and aiding in the early detection and treatment of childhood brain tumors. The foundation also supports a national database on all primary brain tumors and provides educational and emotional support for children and families affected by this life-threatening disease.
- Be The Match The National Marrow Donor Program and the Be The Match Foundation are nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it.
- Art and Creativity for Healing, Inc. Art and Creativity for Healing provides a structured approach of guided art exercises designed to elicit a creative response that encourages the release of stress issues, grief and anger. By expressing themselves creatively, participants can document their experience in a profound way, thus creating a healing environment for themselves.
- Children’s Oncology Camping Association International (COCAI) COCAI is an international assembly of people providing camping programs for children with cancer. The camps serve a broad range of special needs populations but all share the common thread of working with pediatric oncology patients.
- Dream Street Dream Street provides a unique camping program, free of charge, to children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, and brings the dream of normal childhood activities into reality.
- Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA) A national nonprofit organization established in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans to serve the war injured, DS/USA now offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent physical disability. Activities include winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness and special sports events.
- Handicapped Scuba Association Founded in 1981, The Handicapped Scuba Association is dedicated to improving the physical and social well being of people with disabilities through the exhilarating sport of scuba diving and in doing so has become the worldwide authority in the field.
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability The mission of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) is to promote substantial health benefits that can be gained from participating in regular physical activity. The NCPAD website provides information and resources that can enable people with disabilities to become as physically active as they choose to be.
- Orange County Foundation for Oncology, Children and Families (OCF OCF) OCF OCF is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that provides year-round recreational and social activities for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
- The United States Adaptive Recreation Center Founded in 1983, the United States Adaptive Recreation Center ensures recreational activities are available to people with all types of disabilities. The center works with schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and parks and recreation departments to serve children and adults with all types of cognitive or physical disabilities.
- American Cancer Society Log on to the American Cancer Society website and search the word “scholarship” in the search box to find the latest scholarships available.
- Andre Sobel Award This foundation offers an annual essay writing contest for catastrophic disease survivors. Log on to the website and click on the “Participate” drop down menu and look for this year’s campaign.
- Cancer Survivor’s Scholarship Fund This fund provides scholarships for young cancer survivors, prosthetic limbs to disadvantaged young adults and emotional and motivational support for cancer survivors.
- Fast Web This site provides a free search of local, national and college-specific scholarships.
- Patient Advocate Foundation The Patient Advocate Foundation offers yearly scholarships and grants to cancer survivors in the amount of $3,000 each. The deadline to apply is in April each year.
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation This foundation’s scholarship program is intended for individuals who have been diagnosed with a childhood brain or spinal cord tumor.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) RMHC local chapters, with support from Global RMHC, McDonald's Corporation and McDonald's restaurants, offer scholarships to students from communities who face limited access to educational and career opportunities.
- Surviving and Moving Forward: The SAMFund The SAMFund assists cancer survivors in the United States between the ages of 17 and 35 with their transition into a successful post-treatment life.
- The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults This fund provides scholarships to young adults impacted by cancer.
- 2beMe 2bMe is a site for teens with cancer that covers everything from skin to hair and fitness to friends.
- Group Loop Group Loop is a safe place for teens with cancer and their parents to build an online community to find support, education and hope while dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
- Stupid Cancer Stupid Cancer is a nonprofit organization that empowers teens and young adults affected by cancer through a variety of programs and services.
- Planet Cancer Planet Cancer is a community of young adults with cancer. It's a place to share insights, explore fears, laugh or even just complain to others who “get it.”
- Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults This fund provides support programs, education and resources, free of charge, to benefit young adults, their families and friends, who are affected by cancer and to promote awareness and prevention of cancer.
- Vital Options Vital Options maintains an informative and user friendly website to help connect patients, their family members and friends to gather information and resources, as well as access to The Group Room radio show Internet simulcast.
- Teens Living with Cancer This is a site for teens with cancer who have lots of living to do, with inspirational pictures and stories of real teens with cancer.
