Organizations and Resources
There are a growing number of organizations that support adolescents and young adults who have cancer. Some organizations help young people cope or connect with peers who are going through the same things. Others address topics such as fertility and survivorship. There are also radio and call-in programs that bring together young people and medical experts to share information and advice. Many of these organizations are listed below. You can also search NCI’s National Organizations Database to find emotional, practical, and financial support services.
On this page:
Young Adults
Teens and Adolescents
Coping and Support
Fertility
Financial and Legal Resources
Survivorship
NCI's National Organizations Database
Live Call-in and Radio Programs
Young Adults
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): Cancer in Young Adults 1
ASCO’s Cancer in Young Adults website covers cancer types, treatments, and clinical trials as well as relationships, body image, school, work, and retreats. - LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance (YAA) 2
YAA has an online resource page on cancer types, treatments, physical issues, emotional issues and relationships, practical issues, and community resources. - Planet Cancer 3
Planet Cancer is an online community of young adults with cancer that connects and empowers young adults and helps with access to support, resources, and "cancertainment." - Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults 4
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults has resources such as My Way: Writings of Young Adult Cancer Survivors and No Way It Can’t Be: Guidebook for Young Adults Facing Cancer and links to support and navigation resources for young adults. - Vital Options 5
Vital Options, one of the first organizations to support young people with cancer, has information in English, French, and German, together with a clinical trial series and radio program. Vital Options launched the National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week.
Teens and Adolescents
- CureSearch: For Patients 6
CureSearch helps you learn about cancer, its treatment and deal with what is happening, on their site, in their discussion board, and through patient stories. Their Adolescent and Young Adult (15-29 year olds) Research Committee focuses on childhood cancers that affect young adults. CureSearch unites the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. - Starlight Children's Foundation 7
Starlight Children’s Foundation has online educational programs and games, videos, and comic books that explain medical procedures, conditions, and treatments. Its online community and interactive pages help teens connect with other teens. - Teens Living with Cancer 8
Teens Living with Cancer has information to help teens learn about cancer, its treatment, and how to cope. This site’s “Dealing with It” section talks about body issues, school, family, and friends, and it helps teens connect with other teens who have cancer.
Coping and Support
- CancerCare 9
CancerCare provides counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance, and practical help from professional oncology social workers. Online resources and publications help patients, caregivers, and survivors learn more about cancer types, clinical trials, doctor/patient communication, and financial/insurance information. - Cancer and Careers 10
Cancer and Careers has information and resources for women who work during and after cancer treatment through its website, publications, support groups, educational seminars, and workbook. - Cancer Support Community 11
Cancer Support Community offers a network of personalized services and education for people affected by cancer, online and through professionally led online discussion and support groups, workshops, and educational series such as Frankly Speaking About Cancer for newly diagnosed patients. They also offer Group Loop 12, an online support group with information for teens with cancer and their parents. - Imerman Angels 13
Imerman Angels carefully matches and pairs a person who has cancer with someone who has survived the same type of cancer (a mentor angel). The service is free and open to patients, family members, and friends. This organization was started by a young adult cancer survivor. - MyLifeLine.org 14
MyLifeLine.org enables cancer patients and caregivers to create free, customized websites. Their mission is to empower patients to build an online support community of family and friends to foster connection, inspiration, and healing. - R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation 15
The R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation provides free peer-to-peer phone counseling, matching patients with survivors of the same type of cancer to give first-hand information, inspiration, and support. It also offers free information and resources on a range of other topics to cancer patients and their supporters.
Fertility
- Fertile Hope 16
Fertile Hope helps cancer patients learn and talk with their doctor about fertility risks, parenthood options, and pregnancy after cancer. The site also offers fertility-related stories from young adult survivors and links to published research and current studies. - MyOncofertility.org 17
MyOncofertility.org is an interactive patient education resource where people can find answers to cancer-related fertility questions, guidance for talking to physicians, and help finding a local fertility preservation specialist.
Financial and Legal Resources
- Young Adults and the Affordable Care Act 18
Learn the top things for young adults to know about the Affordable Care Act. - Cancer Legal Resource Center 19
The CLRC provides free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues. Through a national Telephone Assistance Line (866-THE-CLRC), the Center answers questions about federal and state rights and options related to health insurance coverage, getting or keeping a job, disability insurance, managing the financial impact of cancer care, education, fertility, and how health care reform impacts young adults.
Survivorship
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) 20
NCCS has a wealth of resources for people living with, through, and beyond cancer, including Cancer Survival Toolbox and Cancer, Keys to Survivorship, and a comprehensive resource guide. - Young Survival Coalition (YSC) 21
YSC reaches young women with breast cancer through its online bulletin board, resource kit, DVDs, booklets, fact sheets, support groups, and a guidebook of national breast cancer-related resources.
NCI's National Organizations Database
- National Organizations That Offer Cancer-Related Support Services 22
A database of organizations that provide cancer patients and their caregivers with emotional, practical, and financial support services. The database can be searched by type of assistance provided, cancer type, and keyword.
Live Call-in and Radio Programs
- Vital Options: The Group Room 23
Hosted by a young adult cancer survivor, these cancer talk radio shows let people tune in, call in, or go online to be a part of on-air discussions. - I'm Too Young For This: The Stupid Cancer Show 24
Hosted by two young adult cancer survivors, these shows air live and have an integrated chat room. - CancerCare: Connect® Education Workshops 25
Hosted by oncology experts, these call-in workshops help patients and families understand and cope with cancer.