Resources & Support
People with cancer and their families sometimes need assistance coping with the emotional as well as the practical aspects of their disease. The IU Simon Cancer Center has many health professionals that can help you cope with your disease. They can also refer you to local community organizations that can provide further assistance.
Having helpful information can also help you cope with cancer and the challenges that it brings. Below are some national organizations that are useful resources for cancer information, decision-making and coping.
American Cancer Society, a national voluntary health organization, provides Web- and telephone-based cancer information about risk factors, prevention, treatment options, coping and stories of hope. The ACS supports research and conducts educational programs, which are offered in local communities.
Cancer Care, a national non-profit organization provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer, including caregivers and loved ones of all ages. Cancer Care Online visitors can communicate with a social worker, join an online support group or telephone education workshop, and learn about topics ranging from financial and drug assistance to talking to your family about your disease.
The Cancer Hope Network provides individual support to cancer patients and their families by matching them with trained volunteers who have undergone and recovered from a similar cancer experience. Such matches are based on the type and stage of cancer, treatments used, side effects experienced, and other factors.
I'M TOO YOUNG FOR THIS! (i2y) is a public awareness and resource literacy campaign of the of the nonprofit communications, support and advocacy organization Steps for Living. Geared towards cancer survivors–aged 15 to 39–who are seeking support directed at their unique demographic and lifestyle needs, i2y services include survivor spa retreats, online forums and blogs, social networking, camping excursions, fertility education, peer counseling, financial scholarships and more.
Indy SurviveOars is a group of dedicated breast cancer survivors and others committed to the cause of breast cancer who are introducing dragon boat racing to Indiana.
MedlinePlus, sponsored by the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine, indexes good and up-to-date information from reliable sources about various health topics, including a medical dictionary and drug information.
National Cancer Institute, the federal government’s principal cancer agency, offers Web- and telephone-based cancer information about treatment; prevention, genetics and causes; screening and testing; clinical trials and more.
The Patient Advocate Foundation provides education, legal counseling, and referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters.
Cancer.Net brings the expertise and resources of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to people living with cancer and those who care for and care about them. ASCO is composed of more than 25,000 oncologists globally who are the leaders in advancing cancer care.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a network of cancer centers, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, developed treatment guidelines for supportive care and certain cancers to aid patients and their families in their treatment decisions.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is an association of programs that provide hospice and palliative care. It is designed to increase awareness about hospice services and advocate for the rights of terminally ill patients and their family members. They offer discussion groups, publications, information about how to find a hospice, and information about the financial aspects of hospice.
The Wellness Community provides free psychological and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. They offer support groups facilitated by licensed therapists, stress reduction and cancer education workshops, nutrition guidance, exercise sessions, and social events. The Wellness Community of Central Indiana offers local programs.
More information:
How to Find Resources in Your Own Community If You Have Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
INHealthConnect: Connecting to Indiana Health Services for Cancer (MedlinePlus Go Local)
National Organizations That Offer Services to People with Cancer and Their Families (National Cancer Institute)
Or call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, for additional cancer support and resource information: 1-800-4-CANCER.