Resources

Resources for Patients & Families


A library of resources for patients and their caregivers. Click a subject to view the resources in that category. 

Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Be The Match
Be The Match helps patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other diseases who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant. People can join the Be The Match Registry – the largest listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units. Patients and their families can also turn to Be The Match for support and resources before, during and after transplant. Be The Match is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals, and conducts research so more lives can be saved.

Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet)
Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet) is a leading patient advocacy organization for persons undergoing a bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell or cord blood transplant.  Serving patients both nationally and internationally, BMT InfoNet’s programs help more than 10,000 patients annually.

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General Cancer Organizations & Resources

American Cancer Society 
Focuses on cancer research, education and advocacy: also provides patient and family services, which vary by locality. Signature patient programs offered nationwide include: teaching women undergoing cancer treatment how to use make-up to camouflage appearance-related side effects; a peer support program that connects breast cancer survivors with women who are newly diagnosed with the disease; and a peer support and educational program for men dealing with prostate cancer.

CancerCare
Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. CancerCare’s comprehensive services include case management, counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by masters’ level oncology social workers as well as case managers and financial specialists.

Cancer Support Community
CSC is a global network offering face to face and online emotional support, education and hope for anyone affected by cancer. Through professionally led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body programs we help people learn vital skills, regain control, reduce feelings of isolation and restore hope.

Imerman Angels
Imerman Angels partners anyone seeking cancer support with someone just like you – a ‘Mentor Angel.’ A Mentor Angel is a cancer survivor or caregiver who is the same age, same gender, and most importantly, who has faced the same type of cancer. Imerman Angels is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer state legel, at any age, living anywhere in the world.

These one-on-one relationships give a cancer fighter or caregiver the chance to ask personal questions and get support from someone who has been there before. Mentor Angels can lend support and empathy and help cancer fighters and caregivers navigate hte system, determine their options, and create their own support systems. Frequently, caregivers experience feelings similar to those of the person facing cancer. Mentor Angels can relate while being sensitive to the experience and situation.

Livestrong
Livestrong helps survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer. We help you understand what to expect from the cancer experiences and help you know the right questions to ask, and we provide support along the way. Visit the Livestrong Cancer Navigation page for educational resources and one-on-one support.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS)
As the global leader in the fight against blood cancers, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) exists to find cures and ensure access to treatments for all blood cancer patients. LLS provides a wide array of free education and support for patients, caregivers, survivors, and families, including: Copay Assistance Programs & Financial Resources, Childhood Blood Cancer & YA Resources, Podcasts, Survivorship or seek
professional, one-on-one, or peer-to-peer support.
LLS also funds lifesaving blood cancer research worldwide and is the voice for all patients seeking access to quality, affordable care. LLS Information Specialists are here to help at (800) 955-4572 or by live chat/email on www.LLS.org.

Mesothelioma Veterans Center
Mesothelioma Veterans Center is dedicated to improving the overall quality of life for individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Its mission is to raise awareness and reach those who may need their assistance. Mesothelioma symptoms depend on the location of the cancer. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are difficulty breathing, coughing, and flu-like symptoms. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include bloating, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Information specialists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) can answer questions about cancer, help with quitting smoking, provide informational materials, and help using the NCI website. The NCI website provides comprehensive information on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, statistics, research, clinical trials and news. Click here to view fact sheets addressing many different topics. Click here to view a specific fact sheet that outlines cancer-specific supportive organizations.

WhatNext.com
WhatNext is a free online cancer support network, developed with the participation of the American Cancer Society, that instantly connects people fighting cancer – based on their specific diagnosis – to peers and resources that can help. Cancer patients, caregivers, survivors and loved ones are asking questions and providing insight, as well as sharing their journeys and experiences as a way to help those who are newly diagnosed know what they might expect.

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Caregiver Resources

Caring for the Caregiver: It’s a Marathon … Not a Sprint

Lotsa Helping Hands
Offers free online caring communities that provide tools to organize daily life during times of medical crisis or caregiver exhaustion.

National Alliance for Caregiving
Is dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregivers.

National Family Caregivers Association
Educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age.

Caregiver Companion Program
The Caregiver’s Companion Program is a free program for caregivers of blood & marrow transplant patients that combines a useful toolkit with the personalized, confidential support of a caregiver coach who understands transplant and the caregiver role. When you enroll in the program, you will receive a toolkit and be paired with a trained Be The Match® coach who will work with your schedule to find a time (about once a week) that’s best for you to talk by telephone.

Children’s Resources

National Children’s Cancer Society
The National Children’s Cancer Society provides direct financial assistance for medical and non-medical expenses related to treatment for children with cancer, including: bone marrow transplantation, cancer treatments, meals during treatment, health insurance premiums, lodging, pharmaceuticals and transportation.

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Social Security

Social Security Administration
Pays retirement, disability and survivors benefits to workers and their families and administers the Supplemental Security Income program.

Financial Resources

Catholic Charities USA
The mission of Catholic Charities agencies is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.

Lifeline
Lifeline reimburses telephone companies for discounting consumers’ monthly phone bills. Suspension or shutoff can be postponed for 30 days if client cannot pay bill and anyone in household is ill and may need telephone service to call for an emergency medical assistance, as long as your doctor or local Board of Health notifies the utility. After the 30 days are up, further extensions may be granted, as long as your doctor or local Board of Health certifies that the condition still exists and you show that you still cannot pay the bill.

United Way
Search for local office by ZIP Code

Hospice Resources

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
Search for a local hospice provider and find educational materials.

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Insurance

HealthCare.gov

Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to medical care, maintenance of employment and preservation of financial stability.

Legal Assistance

LawHelp.org
LawHelp helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities, and answers to questions about their legal rights. Able to search by zip code for legal assistance for many different issues.

Medicare

Medicare
Making decisions about Medicare coverage can be overwhelming.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
A national program that offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Open Enrollment Info

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Pain Management Resources

U.S. Pain Foundation
The mission of U.S. Pain Foundation is to empower, educate, connect, and advocate for people living with chronic conditions that cause pain. U.S. Pain Foundation helps individuals find resources and inspiration.

Prescription Assistance

NeedyMeds.org
Site contains the latest, most accurate information on pharmaceutical assistance programs available.

Medicine Assistance Program
PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) is a search engine designed to help patients, caregivers and health care providers learn more about the resources available through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs. MAT is not its own patient assistance program, but rather a search engine for many of the patient assistance resources that the biopharmaceutical industry offers.

RxAssist.org
RxAssist can help individuals learn about ways to use pharmaceutical company programs and other resources to help reduce  medication costs. Search the database and frequently asked questions to get started.

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Other Co-Pay Assistance Programs

Check the websites for eligibility – funding is for specific conditions and is limited.

Healthwell Foundation
Addresses the needs of individuals who cannot afford their insurance copayments, premiums, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket health care costs.

Patient Access Network Foundation
Assists patients with specific conditions who cannot access the treatments they need due to out-of-pocket health care costs including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Patient Services Incorporated (PSI)
Assists patients with chronic medical illnesses in accessing health insurance (COBRA) and pharmacy co-payment assistance.

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Support Groups/Counseling

CancerCare
National nonprofit organization that provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones and the bereaved. Programs – including counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help – are provided by trained oncology social workers and are completely free of charge.

Livestrong
Livestrong helps survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer. We help you understand what to expect from the cancer experiences and help you know the right questions to ask, and we provide support along the way. Visit the Livestrong Cancer Navigation page for educational resources and one-on-one support.

Survivorship

Livestrong
Livestrong helps survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer. We help you understand what to expect from the cancer experiences and help you know the right questions to ask, and we provide support along the way. Visit the Livestrong Cancer Navigation page for educational resources and one-on-one support.

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Is the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country and a highly respected authentic voice at the federal level, advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors.Click here for information on the Cancer Survival Toolbox.

This is Living with Cancer
Pfizer Oncology believes it’s their responsibility to help support and inspire those who have been affected by cancer.  At This is Living with Cancer, they are telling the stories of real people living with cancer and providing tools and resources like the free LivingWith app.

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Transportation and Lodging

Air Charity Network
Air Charity Network is comprised of network member organizations who cover specific geographical service areas and coordinate volunteer pilot flights in the continental United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii.

Angel Flight West
Angel Flight West (AFW) arranges flights, at no cost to passengers, covering 13 Western States, when travel by land or commercial airline would be a physical or financial hardship. Other situations include, but are not limited to, a compromised immune system or living in a remote area without access to commercial transportation. These flights are generally provided by private pilots who donate all of their time and the cost of flying their aircraft. There is never a charge for an Angel Flight mission.

Joe’s House
The mission of Joe’s House is to be a housing resource for cancer patients and their families who must travel away from home for medical treatment. As such we have designed a site that lists cancer treatment centers and lodging facilities.

National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses
Association of more than 150 nonprofit organizations located throughout the U.S. that provide lodging and support services to families and their loved ones who are receiving medical treatment far from their home communities.

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Disclaimer: AOSW makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied. Providing references to other organizations or links to other websites does not imply that AOSW endorses the information or services provided by them. Those organizations are solely responsible for the information they provide.

Please feel free to email info@aosw.org with changes, comments, or suggestions.