I have also added a few other resources suggested by others...Hope this helps!
(Original post begins now:) About a week ago I read an email from a woman who is 32 weeks pregnant and was just diagnosed with a very advanced cancer. Initially I was going to email a resource list to her, but then I thought about all the friends I have made because of cancer and how many people are affected by cancer directly and indirectly, and I decided that even though my resource list is not the most comprehensive I may be able to help others by sharing it.
I've continued to think about this and I even started writing this blog post. Then this past week I was at Gilda's house and one of my cancer friends announced that he and his family are in the same predicament as we were in my Help post. All I could think was how badly I wish I could give him and his family a large sum of money and make all their troubles go away...but since that isn't a reality for me and my family at this time I thought harder and listened more...He talked about needing a fundraiser and wanting a fundraising web site that didn't take a percentage of people's donations. He talked about doing research with his free time and energy (which believe me is another resource that he and I both wish we had more of) and I realized that I could help him in this way.
As I said, this is by no means a comprehensive list and there are many resources that are specific to the type of cancer I have, but I want to share the resources that I know about. Many of these are ones I just learned about, and many I wish I would have known about long ago...I want to make sure this list is available for someone else, so please share with your friends and family who might be able to use it. Also, if you know of other resources that I should add to this list, message me and I will update it.
Finally, this list is also a great list for those looking for a charity to support...My favorites would be First Descents and Gilda's Club Madison but I will let you decide for yourself what you think is best.
The two organizations/websites I wish I would have known about from the beginning...
Gilda's Club Madison
My Lifeline
MyLifeLine.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that encourages cancer patients and caregivers to create free, customized websites. A patient – or a friend or family member like yourself – creates the site and invites guests to visit and participate in the online community.
Functioning similarily to a blog, each personal MyLifeLine.org website is designed to serve many critical functions of a strong, supportive community:
- Stay informed about your friend's health and well-being on the My Updates page.
- Share encouraging messages and photos on the Guest Messages page.
- Learn about your friend's specific cancer type and treatments on the Learning Links page.
- Volunteer to help with tasks on the Helping Calendar.
- Share a smile on the Laughing Medicine page.
- ***Also, supposedly allows you to set up a fundraising page where no percentage of donations is taken
YouCaring
In
just 3 steps, easily create your own site to raise money online for
personal causes & life events. No fees, easy & secure. YouCaring
is a free fundraising website created for individuals wanting to raise
funds for medical expenses, memorials and funerals, education and tuition assistance, adoption fundraising, funding for mission trips, pet expenses or animal rescue and helping another in need. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/#sthash.VzFZU2Nv.dpuf
In
just 3 steps, easily create your own site to raise money online for
personal causes & life events. No fees, easy & secure. YouCaring
is a free fundraising website created for individuals wanting to raise
funds for medical expenses, memorials and funerals, education and tuition assistance, adoption fundraising, funding for mission trips, pet expenses or animal rescue and helping another in need. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/#sthash.VzFZU2Nv.dpuf
In
just 3 steps, easily create your own site to raise money online for
personal causes & life events. No fees, easy & secure. YouCaring
is a free fundraising website created for individuals wanting to raise
funds for medical expenses, memorials and funerals, education and tuition assistance, adoption fundraising, funding for mission trips, pet expenses or animal rescue and helping another in need. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/#sthash.VzFZU2Nv.dpuf
Easily create your own site to raise money online for personal causes & life events. No fees, easy & secure. YouCaring is a free fundraising website created for individuals wanting to raise funds for medical expenses, memorials, and funerals, education and tuition assistance, funding for mission trips, pet expenses or animal rescue and helping another in need.Cancer Support Community (aka Gilda's Club in some locations)
Cancer Support Community is dedicated to providing support, education and hope to all people affected by cancer. Its global network brings the highest quality cancer support to millions of people touched by cancer.
The
Cancer Support Community is an international non-profit dedicated to
providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer.
Likely the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health
professionals in the United States, CSC offers a menu of personalized
services and education for all people affected by cancer. Its global
network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of
people touched by cancer. These support services are available through a
network of professionally-led community-based centers, hospitals,
community oncology practices and online, so that no one has to face
cancer alone. - See more at:
http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/About-CSC/Who-We-Are.html#sthash.7zGQBz8L.dpuf
The
Cancer Support Community is an international non-profit dedicated to
providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer.
Likely the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health
professionals in the United States, CSC offers a menu of personalized
services and education for all people affected by cancer. Its global
network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of
people touched by cancer. These support services are available through a
network of professionally-led community-based centers, hospitals,
community oncology practices and online, so that no one has to face
cancer alone. - See more at:
http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/About-CSC/Who-We-Are.html#sthash.7zGQBz8L.dpuf
The
Cancer Support Community is an international non-profit dedicated to
providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer.
Likely the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health
professionals in the United States, CSC offers a menu of personalized
services and education for all people affected by cancer. Its global
network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of
people touched by cancer. These support services are available through a
network of professionally-led community-based centers, hospitals,
community oncology practices and online, so that no one has to face
cancer alone. - See more at:
http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/About-CSC/Who-We-Are.html#sthash.7zGQBz8L.dpuf
The Center for Patient Partnerships
An educational program through the University of Wisconsin Schools of Law, Medicine & Public Health, Nursing, and Pharmacy that provides free advocacy services to anyone with a serious or life-threatening illness, regardless of income or residence. This is a great resource that I highly recommend!!!
Share The Care
Share The Care™ is a detailed step-by-step model that shows people HOW TO:
• Create a unique caregiver "family" from friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances.
• Answer the question all your concerned neighbors and friends have asked. "How can I help?"
• Hold a meeting that will transform and bond a group of ordinary people into a powerful caregiver team.
• Organize the team using a simple, easy-to-follow system, seven guiding principles, and 23 forms that guarantees every job will get done and no one person will have too much to do..
• Uncover the hidden talents within the group, make the most of their resources, cope with group issues and stick together in the face of adversity.
Lotsa Helping Hands
At Lotsa Helping Hands, Help is our middle name. We connect people through the power of community — whether you need help or you want to provide help. You may be caring for an ill loved one, an aging parent, a child with special needs or a veteran. You may want to volunteer to help a friend or others in your neighborhood.
Family/Financial Support (some of these may be region/cancer specific)
The Someday Foundation
The Someday Foundation was created by two high school friends who experienced first hand the loss of family members to cancer. Realizing that while individuals are facing many challenges from a recent diagnosis, life still goes on. What The Someday Foundation strives to do is assist with the "everyday" things and relieve some of the pressures that come with that.
Kwik Trip Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors
The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program is funded by people in the community making contributions at coin boxes on our store counters. Neighbors Helping Neighbors distributes funds for individuals/families (within the community) who have experienced a disaster, medical-related hardship or have a pressing financial need.
Modest Needs
Modest Needs is a registered charity that promotes the self-sufficiency of low-income workers by helping them to afford short-term, emergency expenses.
Tricia's Troops
Through this program we focus on the practical concerns of living with cancer and help to enhance the quality of life during the journey. To achieve this we provide limited financial assistance and free services to help cancer fighters address the non-medical, cancer-related challenges that impact their daily living. Based on the unique circumstances and needs of each individual, we may offer support and service coordination in the following areas: home cleaning, care and maintenance; transportation; child care; meal support/grocery delivery; respite care; wig/cosmetic concerns; fitness/massage and more.
The Dawn E. Petersen Foundation
The mission of the Dawn E. Petersen Foundation, Inc. (DEPF) is to support families living with serious illness. We have chosen causes that we know Dawn would have loved to support. With the Foundation's fundraising efforts we will support life enhancement grants, pre-paid gas cards to traveling patients, Kathy's House in Milwaukee, WI and other projects as determined by our Board of Directors.
Ovarian Cancer Community Outreach
Assist individuals with financial support to offset the costs of cancer treatments and other expenses when diagnosed with ovarian cancer or undergoing treatments for ovarian cancer (and other gynecological cancers).
Net Wish
The Net Wish is the brain child of a successful Philadelphia area businessman who wishes to remain completely anonymous. The only motive behind this site is to help the less fortunate in our community and absolutely no tax benefit is received for the Wishes fulfilled. The specific focus of Netwish is on how the aid will help children, older adults and other vulnerable members of our community.
The Sarcoma Alliance
The Sarcoma Alliance strives to improve the lives of people affected by sarcoma through accurate diagnosis, improved access to care, guidance, education and support. Hand in Hand: The Suzanne Renée Leider Memorial Assistance Fund was created to support sarcoma patients in finding the treatment they need. Hand in Hand offers financial assistance for second opinion consultations by reimbursing expenses related to travel, phone bills, costs of the evaluation, and related expenses. The mission of the Sarcoma Alliance Peer-to-Peer Network is to facilitate positive relationships between individuals affected by sarcoma so that they may find emotional support, encouragement and information.
Young adults with cancer
Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund
The Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF) supports patients ages 18-40 as they undergo cancer treatment. It provides services to meet daily needs that are not covered by insurance. Typical grants cover $500 worth of medical co-payments, rent and mortgage, transportation, car insurance, repairs, and groceries.
Sy's fundSy’s Fund is here to help young adults with cancer by funding their creative passions, pursuits, and hobbies as well as integrative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology, and therapeutic massage.
(my personal favorite resource) First Descents
FIRST DESCENTS offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same.
Nurses with cancer
Nurses House: A National Fund for Nurses in Need
Nurses
House is a nurse-managed, non-profit organization dedicated to
helping registered nurses in need. Our history begins in 1922, when
Nurses House began to offer nurses a place to rest and recuperate at a
Long Island, NY beachfront mansion, donated by Emily Bourne. As
times and needs changed, the property was eventually sold and Nurses
House became a national service program. Many of the pages listed above will have their own list of resources...This one is from
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Ginny, thanks for this list! Is it okay for me to share this with a closed breast cancer group on FB?
ReplyDeleteLotsa Helping Hands is also a nice resource for arranging meals and other chores that a family might need.
Take care for now!
Yes, please share!!! and I will add Lotsa Helping Hands :)
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