Imerman Angels
Imerman Angels connects people with cancer and caregivers who are seeking support with one of its Mentor Angels — survivors and caregivers with a similar history. Once you’ve filled out an online questionnaire, you’ll get paired with someone trained to offer you comfort and empathy throughout your cancer experience. You can also register to become a mentor yourself.
The organization’s annual Brunch Run, which takes place in Chicago, raises money to fund its cancer support systems, including a library of educational resources and webinars. Stay connected with Imerman Angels on Facebook and Instagram.
Cancer Support Community
Cancer Support Community (CSC) offers personalized support for people with cancer. Through its support helpline (CSC-867-5309) you can find resources ranging from treatment options to transportation services, referrals to support groups, or just a listening ear.
The organization also runs professionally led support groups at specific CSC or Gilda’s Club locations around the country, as well as the MyLifeLine online community, which allows you to connect with others who have cancer and update your family and friends in one place.
Malecare
Malecare offers a wide range of peer support groups for those diagnosed with prostate cancer. These in-person and virtual groups are designed to make men with this disease feel comfortable, heard, and helped. Depending on your circumstances, you can choose to join the Advanced Stage Prostate Cancer, Early Stage Prostate Cancer, or Gay Men’s Prostate Cancer groups.
Malecare also maintains the free mobile app Cancergraph, which can help you track your symptoms and side effects as you go through treatment, and helps people find clinical trials to participate in around the country.
METAvivor
METAvivor is an organization dedicated to supporting people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and funding research on the disease. METAvivor offers peer-to-peer support groups across the country, all led by other people with metastatic breast cancer. You can also apply to be a support group leader and receive training on how to set up and manage a new group.
The organization hosts multiple fundraising events throughout the year in support of metastatic breast cancer research, highlights patient stories on its website, and posts information and calls for advocacy work on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
The Cancer Network
The Cancer Network focuses on supporting LGBTQ+ people with cancer and advocating for more equitable cancer care. The network hosts free peer support groups twice a week via Zoom, which are tailored to the LGBTQ+ community.
This organization also offers guidance on how to find LGBTQ+-friendly providers and provides a resource library full of valuable cancer information.
SHARE Cancer Support
SHARE Cancer Support helps women with breast, metastatic breast, ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer learn about their diagnosis and find support in their community. It offers virtual peer support groups for each cancer type, including groups for caregivers. You can also call its National Support Line at 844-ASK-SHARE if you have questions or just need to talk to someone about your cancer experience.
Beyond peer support, SHARE provides free, virtual cancer workshops where you can learn more about your disease, get a chance to move your body, or simply chat with the other women in attendance.
Sisters Network Inc.
Sisters Network Inc. is the first and only national organization in the United States focused on supporting and educating Black American women with breast cancer. The organization’s affiliate chapters provide peer-to-peer support through monthly meetings and in-person community outreach programs all over the country, on top of providing breast health resources to local communities.
Each year, Sisters Network hosts the Stop the Silence Walk, created to honor Black American women with breast cancer and help raise funds for the organization’s financial assistance program. On its website, you can find a comprehensive library of breast cancer resources and access free educational webinars. More information is available on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.
Young Adult Survivors United
Young adults diagnosed with cancer can often experience a gap in emotional care. Young Adult Survivors United (YASU) attempts to fill that gap and help enhance quality of life for young adults during cancer treatment and recovery. YASU provides nationwide virtual support groups where young survivors can talk about their diagnoses and lean on one another in a safe space. The organization also offers in-person socials in the Pittsburgh area, where you can share a meal or just hang out with people who understand you.
YASU has free respite trips if you’re in need of a break, which you can go on with a loved one or on your own. But if a group hangout is more your style, the annual Young Adult Cancer Camp — where you’ll get a chance to meet other young adults with cancer and participate in creative and physical activities — may fit the bill. YASU also has several fundraising events throughout the year and provides financial assistance for young people with cancer.
4th Angel Mentoring Program
The 4th Angel Mentoring Program, sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic, is a free, national program providing personalized peer support for people with cancer. Through this program, you can connect and speak one-on-one with a volunteer mentor by phone, through email, or via online chat. (Call 866-520-3197 or email 4thangel@ccf.org.) These mentors have firsthand experience with cancer, and they are trained to answer tough questions and share positive strategies for coping.
4th Angel also offers cancer resources on its website, providing information to help guide you as you go through treatment and recovery.
