Emotional Support
Some excellent organizations provide phone support, either by a Licensed Social Worker or by matching you up with someone in a similar situation. Here are a few we’ve found helpful; we encourage you to contact them directly. We’d also love to hear about any other organizations you encounter.
CancerCare - A national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones and the bereaved. CancerCare programs—including counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance and practical help—are provided by professional oncology social workers and are completely free of charge. Call them to arrange individual phone counseling with a licensed clinical social worker. The main number is 800-813-4673. Or call Brooke Mann at 800-813-4673, x8365, to sign up for a weekly support group led by an oncology social worker.
Imerman's Angels - A nonprofit organization that connects one caregiver with another who can relate to and understand their situation. For instance, they have introduced the mother of a three-year-old cancer fighter to the mother of a four-year-old cancer survivor. If you’re a caregiver, this one-on-one relationship will give you the chance to ask personal questions and get support from someone uniquely familiar with your experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by cancer of any type, any stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world. Imerman Angels also connects a person fighting cancer today ("cancer fighter") with someone who has beaten the same type of cancer ("cancer survivor"). In this relationship, a fighter can ask personal questions and receive encouragement from someone who has lived through their situation. The survivor can personally help a fighter as he or she battles the disease. This one-to-one connection requires a minimum age of 13 and should be facilitated by a parent.
LiveStrong SurvivorCare is for any person affected by cancer. At any point in your cancer experience, they provide free, confidential, one-on-one support with counseling and local resources; financial, insurance, and job concerns; new treatments in development; or discussing your cancer.
