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The
following is a directory including links and resources specific to young
adults with cancer, as well as information relevant to anyone living with
cancer or a history of cancer.
YOUNG
ADULT RESOURCES AND LINKS Fertile Hope is committed
to providing fertility information, support and hope to cancer patients
through programs of awareness, education, financial assistance, research
and support. Their website provides a comprehensive overview of fertility
risks resulting from cancer treatment and preservation options before,
during and after treatments. The Lance Armstrong
Foundation exists to help people manage and survive
cancer and focuses it activities in four main areas: public education
and awareness, survivor services and support, groundbreaking survivorship
programs, and medical and scientific research grants. LiveStrong is a resource created
by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to educate survivors and their friends,
families, healthcare providers and caregivers about the physical, emotional
and practical aspects of cancer survivorship. Gilda's Club of Delaware Valley is a cancer support community for anyone living with cancer and all of their families and friends. We offer free support/networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events. Gilda’s Club has a new monthly networking group for young adults dealing with issues of survivorship. Call Michele Wolf, LSW at 215-441-3290 Ext:108 for more information.
The
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults provides support programs, education and resources, free of charge,
to benefit young adults, their families and friends who are affected by
cancer and promotes awareness and prevention of cancer. Planet
Cancer is a community of support
by and for young adults with cancer, providing critical peer suport in
the face of life-threatening illness. Through a dedicated, irreverant
website, online message boards and face-to-face retreats, Planet Cancer
brings young adults together to help each other address the unique issues
that arise form facing cancer at this age and stage of life. Surviving and Moving Forward: The SAMFund
for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer provides financial assistance to cancer survivors who are between
the ages of 17 and 30 and are not currently receiving treatment, in order
to enable them to pursue educational, professional and personal goals
to establish a successful post-treamtment life. Pregnant
with Cancer is an international network
of women who have faced cancer and pregnancy. The organization can connect
a newly diagnosed patient with a woman who has gone through a similar
cancer and pregnancy. This woman can lend her support, share her experience
and offer hope during a difficult time. Living
Beyond Breast Cancer
is a non-profit educational organization committed to empowering al women
affected by breast cancer to live as long as
possible with the best quality of life. Programs include educational
conferences, a quarterly educational newsletter, outreach to medically
under-served women, a consumer focused educational booklet, a library
and resource center, Young Survivors group, the Survivor’s Helpline, and
a website. Vital
Options: Support for Young Adults with Cancer was founded in 1983 by Selma Schimmel, when she
was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28. The first organization in
the United States to focus sepcifically on the unique clinical and psychosocial
needs of young adults with all types of cancer between the ages of 17
through the mid-40’s, Vital Options played the foremost and instrumental
role in laying a foundation for the young adult cancer advocacy movement
that has since followed. Testicular
Cancer Resource Center
is a non-profit organization devoted to providing accurate and timely
information regarding testicular and extra-gonadal germ cell tumors to
anyone and everyone interested. Information is available for patients,
caregiver, family, friends, and physicians. The
Young Survival Coalition
is an international, non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and
supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young
women and breast cancer. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC
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. OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
The
American Cancer Society
is a national community-based health organization whose mission is to
eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving
lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education,
advocacy and service. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers the most comprehensive array of services to patients
and families touched by blood-related cancers. Cancer
Care, Inc. provides free counseling,
education and information, including referrals for patients. Gilda’s
Clubs provide free support and
networking roups, activities and social events for patients, family and
friends in home-like settings. The
Wellness Community is a free program of emotional
support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones. The
National Cancer Institute is the U.S. government agency responsible for conducting an supporting research on cancer. This site includes
access information, clincial trials, specific disease sites, advocacy
and more. Oncolink is the University of Pennsylvania
Cancer Center’s resource on the web. Through it, you can obtain information
about specific types of cancer, news about research advances, and updates
on cancer treatment. People Living With Cancer is the award-winning cancer information
website from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world’s
leading organization representing medical professionals who treat people
with cancer. The website provides oncologist-approved information to help
people make informed decisions about their health care. The
Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that serves as a liason between
the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance,
job discrimination and debt crisis matters relating to their diagnosis
through case managers, doctors and attorney. 1-800-532-5274 Cancer
and Careers is a great resource for
women with cancer, their employers, coworkers and caregivers. It includes
an overview of legal rights, navigating the healthcare system, and a number
of useful templates for organizing medical information. ClinicalTrials.gov is a federally mandated
comprehensive registry of clinical trials put together by the National
Institutes of Health. Includes both federally and privately funded clinical
trials. |
