Resources for Cancer

People Living With Cancer, from the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Offers educational information for patients and families. (www.plwc.org)

American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS)

Provides a free Helpline to connect patients and families with local counseling services, as well as webcasts for professionals on topics such as “Cancer 101 for Mental Health Professionals,” and “Psychosocial Aspects of Cancer Survivorship” (co-sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation). (www.apos-society.org)

American Cancer Society (ACS)

Provides information on talking to children about cancer, as well as numerous other cancer-related topics. (www.cancer.org)

The Wellness Community

A national, nonprofit organization that provides free online and in-person support and information to people living with cancer and their families. (www.thewellnesscommunity.org)

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

A national education and support organization with the goal of improving quality of life and helping patients take an active role in ongoing recovery or management of the disease. (www.lbbc.org)

Young Survival Coalition

Through action, advocacy, and awareness, this nonprofit seeks to educate the medical, research, breast cancer, and legislative communities and to persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under—and serves as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer. (www.youngsurvival.org)

Breast Cancer.org

This organization offers medical information about current treatments and research in breast cancer care and survivorship. (www.breastcancer.org)

Hurricane Voices Breast Cancer Foundation

Among other breast-cancer related resources, this organization offers a family reading list of books and stories for children of all ages dealing with cancer, in particular with breast cancer. (www.hurricanevoices.org)

CancerCare

The mission of this national nonprofit is to provide free professional help to people with all cancers through counseling, education, information, and referral and direct financial assistance. They offer online, telephone, and face-to-face support groups to those affected by cancer. (www.cancercare.org)

Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF)

LAF offers information and services to cancer survivors and the professionals who care for them. (www.livestrong.org)

The Life Institute

This organization’s online publication “Conversations from the Heart” provides an annotated list of resources for parents and professionals who want to learn more about how to have developmentally appropriate conversations with children about serious illness and death. (www.thelifeinstitute.org)