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7. Resources For Cancer Patients & Caregivers

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There are many great organizations here in DC and around the country that have offer more information and support that can help you along your way. We’ve listed a few to get you started.

Local Services & Support Organizations

  • DC Cancer Action Partnership – The DC Cancer Action Partnership serves as the collective voice to reduce the burden of Cancer in the District.
  • Nueva Vida – Provides a continuum of culturally sensitive cancer support services for Latina families in the Washington DC, Baltimore and Richmond metropolitan areas.
  • Life With Cancer – Provides free education, information and support for patients, survivors, families, and friends in Fairfax, VA
  • Hope Connections for Cancer Support – Support groups, education programs, and community programs in Bethesda, MD
  • The Mindfulness Center – Integrative health programs including acupuncture, counseling, massages, nutritional counseling, in Bethesda, MD
  • EBeauty – Supports women undergoing treatment for cancer through the EBeauty community, Wig Exchange Program and other charitable initiatives. Wig donations are excepted in soft packaging by mail at the following address: EBeauty Inc. 1350 Eye St. NW, Suite P-15, Washington, DC 20005

Local Calendars of Interest

  • Natural Awakenings DC – Healthy living magazine that “provides insights and information to improve the quality of life physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • USO Metro Washington-Baltimore – “The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country, throughout their service to the nation.”
  • Americans for the Arts (ArtsMeet National Event Calendar) – “Americans for the Arts serves, advances, and leads the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America.”
  • FreeinDC – Blog of free DC events.
  • Living with MBC Support Group in DE, NJ, PA – Active Facebook support group for individuals living in the DE/NJ/PA area with metastatic breast cancer.

Local Hotlines

  • Lombardi Cancer Line – 202.444.4000 – Free service with certified oncology nurses provides information on treatment options, doctors, symptoms, screenings, etc.

National Cancer Organizations

  • Beyond Conventional Cancer Therapies – Provides scientifically driven information on the best integrative approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment that go beyond conventional cancer care.
  • American Institute for Cancer Research – Offers latest research in diet, nutrition, and lowering risk of cancer overall; also involved with advocacy and policy work
  • Commonweal – Smith Center’s Sister Organization in Bolinas California. West Coast model for our Weeklong Cancer Retreats; on-line text of Michael Lerner’s “Choices in Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer
  • Livestrong – A national organization providing a variety of educational and support services remotely throughout the country. Particular focus on fertility and cancer education
  • National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) – Using scientific research, advocates for complementary and alternative medicine and their roles in improving healthcare
  • National Cancer Institute
    – Office of Cancer Survivorship – Resource center aiming to enhance quality and length of survival, also conducts research regarding effects of cancer treatment
    – Office of Complementary & Alternative Medicine – Resource center aiming to enhance quality and length of survival, also conducts research regarding effects of cancer treatment
    – Clinical Trials – The NCI has a search engine to locate 12,000+ clinical trials that are currently accepting partiicpants
  • The Center for Mind-Body Medicine – Local educational organization that offers trainings and programs to healthcare professionals and patients in mind-body techniques for healing
  • American Cancer Society – National organization that presents research on how to prevent and treat cancer
  • American Society for Clinical Oncology – Professional organization for physicians and health-care professionals that offers tools and the latest information on cancer research
  • Annie Appleseed Project – Extensive resources about complementary and alternative approaches to mainstream medicine
  • Association of Cancer Online Resources – Online community with resources, research, information and mailing lists for cancer neuropathy and cancer pain
  • Cancer Care – Emotional support, information, toll-free counseling by oncology social workers. Information in Spanish on website
  • Cancer Information and Support Network  – Offers resources for patients and their families using community health clinics, organizations involved with cancer research, treatment, prevention, care, and patient advocacy, publications, and financial assistance
  • Cancer Support Community – A nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide that is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.
  • Cancer Treatment Centers of America – Provides information about counseling, support groups, workshops, and financial resources
  • ChemoCare – Information about chemotherapy and specific drugs
  • National Cancer Institute – Information on cancer, symptoms, and side effects in English and Spanish.  1.800.4.CANCER (1.800.422.6237)
  • National Lymphedema Network – Information for patients and healthcare professionals.
  • National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship – Advocates the needs of cancer survivors to effect policy change at the national level
  • Susan G. Komen for a Cure – National leader in the fight against Breast Cancer. Offers access to research, information, and nationwide community events to support Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Living Beyond Breast Cancer – A national organization offering programs and services for women affected by Breast Cancer including national conferences and free teleconferences, publications, community programs and trainings.

Financial Assistance

  • CancerCare – Provides limited funding and can help to coordinate financial assistance for those who need it.
  • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) – Provides financial assistance to blood cancer patients through several programs, including insurance co-payments and/or premiums for prescription drugs, travel and lodging expenses, acute needs for patients in clinical trials, and patient aid grants.
  • Patient Advocate Foundation – Provides funds for co-payment assistance, as well as arbitration, mediation and negotiation to settle issues with access to care, medical debt, and job retention related to their illness.
  • United Breast Cancer Foundation – Provides individual grants to provide financial support for women and men who are being treated for breast cancer.

National Hotlines

  • Cancer Hope Network – 1.800.552.4366
    Helps connect cancer patients with trained volunteers who have dealt with and recovered from a similar cancer experience
  • AICR Nutrition Hotline – 1.800.843.8114
    AICR dietitians specialize in issues related to diet and cancer prevention as well as prevention of cancer recurrence in survivors
  • LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare – 1.866.673.7205
    Provides free support and counseling to anyone affected by cancer, including patients, loved ones, friends, or caregivers in English and Spanish

Other National Cancer Retreats

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