Cancer Support Groups - Organizations And Foundations

Cancer support groups may provide patient network relationships when you are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, especially when you find that you need help in ways your doctor cannot address. Finding cancer support groups can provide emotional support and information to help you cope with your situation. Finding a way to deal with the emotional side of the illness may even be part of your treatment program, and their a support groups that can help with that. Patients can find others to talk to who are in the same situation, and can understand how they feel.

Some cancer support groups or organizations are especially for the families of patients, and some encourage family members and close friends to participate in the group with the patient.

There are many different kinds of support groups. Some are general groups for all kinds of cancer; some are specific to the form of cancer you have. Some may be for younger patients, or patients who have just been diagnosed. The organization of groups varies; some may be led by professionals with training in counseling. The important thing is to find a group that meets your needs as you are going through the process of dealing with your illness.

One interesting cancer support group is the ALCASE (Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education) “Phone Buddies” program. It matches patients and families with others in similar situations, taking into account various factors like the type of the disease and how it is being treated. ALCASE provides two lists of support groups in addition to the Phone Buddies program, one for online groups and one for face-to-face groups. Online groups can be helpful for patients who are unable to get to face-to-face meetings. To find out more about the Phone Buddies program, you can visit:

http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/facing/phone_buddy.html

The Mesothelioma Center web site has a list of ways to contact other patients at http://www.mesotheliomacenter.org/support/mesothelioma-patient.php

The Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) is not a mesothelioma support group, per se, but it is a source for information about cancer, provided by a non-profit group in UK. The focus of the organization is not on clinical trials, but on obtaining basic information about what causes cancer, and what can prevent it. It is supported by charitable donations, and it uses its resources to fund research that is consistent with its goals. The web site is at: http://www.aicr.org.uk/aboutaicr.stm

Other Support Groups, Organizations and Foundations

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. They are largest source of private, not-for-profit cancer research funds in the US, second only to the federal government in total dollars spent.

National Cervical Cancer Coalition
http://www.nccc-online.org
The NCCC places a very special and personal focus on providing outreach support to women and family members going through the battle against cancer.

National Breast Cancer Organization (Y-ME)
http://www.y-me.org
A Chicago-based national nonprofit organization with the mission to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone.

Us TOO International
http://www.ustoo.com
Started in 1990 by prostate cancer survivors to serve prostate cancer survivors, their spouses/partners and families.

Lymphoma Research Foundation of America
http://www.lymphoma.org
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest lymphoma-focused voluntary health organization. Programs and services include: Lymphoma Helpline & Clinical Trials Information Service; Lymphoma Support Network; Conferences & Symposiums; and Patient Aid Grant Program.

National Childhood Cancer Foundation
http://www.curesearch.org/
CureSearch unites the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) through a shared mission to cure and prevent childhood and adolescent cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care.

R. A. BLOCH CANCER FOUNDATION
http://www.blochcancer.org
Support for cancer patients with information, moral support, and treatment assistance.

Leukemia Society of America
http://www.leukemia.org
The world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services.