Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Find Cancer Support Programs and Services in Your Area


The American Cancer Society has programs and services to help people with cancer and their loved ones understand cancer, manage their lives through treatment and recovery, and find the emotional support they need. And best of all, our help is free.

Read below and follow the links to learn more about how we can help.

CANCER SURVIVORS NETWORK - Join our online community by and for people with cancer and their families. Find and connect with others through our member search, discussion boards, chat rooms, and private CSN e-mail. Create your own personal space to tell us about yourself, share photos, audio, etc, start an online journal (blog), contribute resources, and more.

ROAD TO RECOVERY (RIDES TO TREATMENT) - Every day, cancer patients need rides to treatment. Some may not be able to drive themselves, and family and friends cannot always help. Our Road To Recovery program provides rides to patients who have no way to get to their cancer treatment

HOPE LODGE (LODGING) - Getting the best care sometimes means cancer patients must travel away from home. This can place an extra emotional and financial burden on patients and caregivers during an already challenging time. The American Cancer Society is trying to make this difficult situation easier for both cancer patients and their families through Hope Lodge.

TLC (HAIR LOSS AND MASTECTOMY PRODUCTS) - The tlc”magalog is the American Cancer Society’s catalog and magazine for women. It offers helpful articles and a line of products made for women with cancer. Products include wigs, hairpieces, breast forms, bras, hats, turbans, swimwear, and accessories. All proceeds from product sales go back into the American Cancer Society’s programs and services for patients and survivors.

REACH TO RECOVERY (BREAST CANCER SUPPORT) - If you have breast cancer, you may want to talk to someone who knows what you’re feeling – someone who has “been there.” Through our Reach to Recovery program, we can match you with a volunteer who will talk with you about coping with your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

MAN TO MAN (PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT) - If you have prostate cancer, you may have many questions. Sometimes even asking for help can be hard. Our Man to Man program helps you learn about diagnosis, treatment options, side effects, and ways to cope with prostate cancer.

I CAN COPE (CANCER EDUCATION CLASSES) - If you or someone you love gets cancer, you will have questions. Our I Can Cope classes can help you and your loved ones learn about cancer and how to take care of yourselves. The more you know about cancer, the better you can handle your treatment and decisions about your care.

I CAN COPE (ONLINE) - For a quick, easy way to learn important facts and practical tips about cancer and related issues, participate in our interactive online program, I Can Cope—Online. There is never any charge to participate, and you set the pace—whenever and wherever is most convenient for you.

LOOK GOOD...FEEL BETTER (HELP WITH APPEARANCE-RELATED SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT) - In a Look Good…Feel Better session, trained volunteer cosmetologists teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry.

LOOK GOOD... FEEL BETTER FOR TEENS - Look Good...Feel Better for Teens is a unique, free program for teenage cancer patients ages 13 to 17. It helps them cope with how cancer treatment and side effects can change the way they look. The program addresses the needs of both boys and girls.

CIRCLE OF SHARING (PERSONALIZE YOUR CANCER INFORMATION) - If you have cancer, Circle Of Sharing can help you get the information you need about your diagnosis, find resources to help you cope, and share this important information with family and friends.

PATIENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM (PERSONAL CANCER GUIDE) - The American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program connects you with a patient navigator at a cancer treatment center. You can talk one-on-one with a patient navigator about your situation. This person will listen in your time of need. Call us at 1-800-227-2345, and we can tell you more about this program.

TELL YOUR STORY - Share your story and give hope to someone else facing cancer.