A Focus on Cancer Resources


A Focus on Cancer Resources

Support is available for Solo Moms with cancer

This list contains many support, educational, and health websites for Solo Moms with cancer. Finding the right resources and information you may need can be daunting, but ESME is here to help. The material below will help any Solo Mom who is undergoing cancer treatment or in remission.

  • Singleton Moms—Singleton Moms is a small, Arizona-based nonprofit with a mighty vision, dedicated to nurturing single parents battling cancer and their minor children.
  • Mothers with Cancer—They are twenty mothers with cancer. Each has a different cancer type, stage, and/or prognosis. All have children, and their own unique reaction to the cancer and the ensuing changes in their lives. They are here to share one very important message: You are not alone.
  • The American Cancer Society—Hundreds of informative pages written or approved by doctors and specialists in all kinds of cancer. For immediate help, call their support line: 1-800-227-2435.
  • Avon Foundation—Aiding in charitable, scientific, educational, and humanitarian activities that improve the lives of women and their families.
  • BCmets—An online support group for women with metastatic breast cancer.
  • Camp Kesem—Sleepaway camp for kids of cancer patients.
  • Cancer Care—Free, professional support for anyone affected by cancer.
  • The Colon Club—An organization dedicated to providing education and support for young people diagnosed with colon/rectal/anal cancer.
  • Hyster Sisters—Help and support for women faced with or who have had a hysterectomy for cancer reasons or otherwise.
  • Oasis of Hope—An alternative medicine cancer clinic.
  • Cancer Tutor—A resource of traditional and alternative cancer treatment options.
  • Gerson—A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education and training in the Gerson therapy, alternative, nontoxic treatment for cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases.
  • Burzynski Clinic—Providing cutting-edge personalized cancer therapy.
  • i[2]y: I’m Too Young for This! Cancer Foundation—The voice of adults under 40 and their families.
  • The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation—Dedicated to researching the cause of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, known as IBC. An advanced and accelerated form of breast cancer usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds.
  • The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation—Education about IBC.
  • The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network—Funds research regarding IBC to educate the general public and the medical community, while providing college scholarships for students impacted by IBC.
  • The Livestrong Foundation—Education, emotional guidance, and support for cancer patients and survivors.
  • The Lymphedema Network—Everything you may want to know about lymphedema, including support, treatment options, events, and more.
  • The Macmillan Online Community (UK)—Advice, support, and real-life experience from others currently being treated for cancer, and in remission.
  • Metastatic Breast Cancer Network—Raising awareness of metastatic breast cancer.
  • Metavivors—Research and support for metastatic stage IV breast cancer.
  • National Cancer Institute—Patient education, centers, treatment options, and trials.
  • Navigating Cancer—Includes articles about cancer, chemotherapy regimens, and drugs from the National Cancer Institute and other experts.
  • Ostomates—For new and experienced ostomates.
  • Susan G. Komen Foundation—Dedicated to save lives and end breast cancer by empowering others, ensuring quality care for all, and investing in science to find the cures.
  • Tiger Lily Foundation—Educates, advocates for, empowers, and supports young women affected by breast cancer.
  • United Ostomy Associations of America—For individuals with colorectal cancers.
  • UpToDate.com—An evidence based, peer reviewed information resource where you can answer questions quickly and increase clinical knowledge about cancer and other diseases.
  • The Wellness Community—A national network of support centers offering yoga and light fitness or meditation classes, individual and group support, and educational classes for cancer patients and recent survivors.
  • Worldwide Breast Cancer—An independent site dedicated to educating the public about breast cancer
  • Young Survival Coalition—Promotes action, advocacy, and awareness of breast cancer in women under 40.
  • Young Survivors Network—Education, support, and advocacy for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • United Ostomy Associations of America—Information, knowledge, and support about being an ostomate.

Cleaning

  • Cleaning for a Reason—A nonprofit organization that serves North America, giving free house cleaning for women undergoing treatment for any kind of cancer.
  • Comfortree—Free nontoxic house cleaning for all cancer patients

Food

  • Food and Friends—Prepares and delivers specialized meals and groceries in conjunction with nutrition counseling for cancer patients and others with life-challenging illnesses.

Hats and scarves

  • The Fat Thumb Chick—Makes T-shirt beanie hats for cancer patients.
  • Head Huggers—Knits hats for chemo patients and sends them out free.
  • Heavenly Hats—A volunteer organization providing hats free of charge to cancer patients.
  • Good Wishes—A partnership that sends beautiful L. Erickson scarves to anyone losing their hair as a result of illness or treatment.

Lymphedema sleeves

Medical bills and prescriptions

  • Cancer Care Assist—Financial assistance for cancer patients and their medical bills.
  • National Cancer Institute—A comprehensive listing of government agencies and organizations designed to provide assistance for patients and families.
  • The First Mile Foundation—Provides financial support to families and individuals in order to alleviate the added everyday stresses associated with cancer.
  • Needy Meds—Links to pharmaceutical companies and other organizations that have patient assistance programs.
  • Patient Access Network Foundation—Assists insured patients who cannot afford out-of-pocket expenses associated with their cancer treatment.
  • The Patient Advocate Foundation—Professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening, and debilitating illnesses. They will serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer, and/or creditors.

Wigs and makeup

  • Look Good … Feel Better—A program of the American Cancer Society helping women with cancer learn to choose a wig, scarf, or hat and apply makeup that will make the most of any changes from their cancer treatment. Every participant goes home with a goody bag of makeup. Sessions are free at most American hospitals with an oncology unit.

Ways to organize friends helping each other

  • Care Calendar—A free calendar-based program to organize everything in one place for a friend or family member in need of meals, help, and more.

Air transportation

  • Air Care Alliance—A trade organization with a comprehensive online listing of organizations that provide patient air transportation for free to ambulatory and medically stable people to access care.
  • The National Patient Travel Center—Provides information about charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available.

Free mammograms

Assistance with regular mammogram screenings. You don’t need to be diagnosed with cancer. Contact the providers below for more information regarding these screenings.


Image via Shutterstock.com

Rebecca Cherry is an accomplished musician, writer, and creative seeker. She is enjoying her new role as a Solo Mom to her baby girl. You can follow her on Twitter at @CherryRebecca and Facebook at Rebecca Cherry.

Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions.


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