Additional sources of help with colon and rectal cancer
Knowing where to turn for support is the first step.
For both patients and caregivers who are dealing with the challenges of colorectal
cancer, there are all kinds of helpful resources. Here are brief descriptions of
some of them along with phone numbers. To go directly to any of their Web sites,
just click on their name.
Cancer awareness and advocacy:
Colorectal Cancer Coalition (CCC)
Colorectal Cancer Coalition (CCC) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that fights
colorectal cancer through research, empowerment, and access to information. CCC
provides a patient and caregiver answer line.
Phone: 877-4CRC-111 (877-427-2111)
Colon Cancer Alliance
The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is committed to ending the suffering and death caused
by colorectal cancer. Using the voices of survivors, it provides patients, friends,
and family members with support, education, research, and advocacy. Member services
include a buddy program, a helpline, and a local chapter program called VOICES.
Phone: 877-422-2030
National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD) Foundation
The nonprofit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation supports hundreds of hospitals,
support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host National Cancer
Survivors Day events—on the first Sunday in June—by providing free guidance, education,
and networking. A free celebration planning kit is available.
Phone: 615-794-3006
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
The oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country advocates for
quality cancer care for all Americans and seeks to empower cancer survivors and
advocates for policy issues that affect quality of life for cancer survivors.
Phone: 877-622-7937
Prevent Cancer Foundation
A foundation focused on cancer prevention through early detection, funding research,
educating the public, and community outreach to all population groups.
Phone: 703-836-4412 or 800-227-2732
Support groups:
American Cancer Society (ACS)
Provides patients, family, and friends with up-to-the-minute information on the
prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer. The Web site can also help you find
support groups and opportunities for volunteering in your community.
Phone: 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)
This site helps you connect with others who have similar cancers by providing access
to more than 150 mailing lists. You can log on for a free, unmoderated discussion
with patients, family, friends, doctors, and researchers.
Phone: 212-226-5525
CancerCare
A national nonprofit organization that provides free support services to patients,
caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved through counseling, education,
financial assistance, and practical help. You can access services online or by phone.
Phone: 800-813-HOPE (800-813-4673) or 212-712-8080
Cancer Care Connection
This free public service provides individuals and families affected by cancer with
personal coaching, Internet navigation assistance, and other useful information
and resources. This site can help you gain control of your situation, access support,
and find resources to meet your health and quality-of-life needs.
Phone: 866-266-7008
Cancer Hope Network
An organization that can provide you or your family members with free, confidential,
one-on-one support by matching patients and family with trained volunteers who are
cancer survivors themselves.
Phone: 877-HOPENET (877-467-3638) or 908-879-4039
Cancer.net
The ASCO Cancer Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer
by advancing cancer research, patient information, physician education, and access
to care. It can provide you with the latest on research, treatment, and care.
Phone: 888-651-3038.
Cancer Support Community
Gilda’s Club and the Wellness Community have combined forces to create a national
non-profit organization that provides support, education, and hope to people with
cancer and their loved ones. The combined organization has nearly 50 local affiliates,
12 affiliates in development and over 100 off-site and satellite locations.
Phone: 202-659-9709
Team Continuum
Provides non-medical assistance to cancer patients and their families where the
diagnosis results in disruption, hardship, and uncertainty in their everyday lives.
Team Continuum provides funding to healthcare facilities and foundations to enhance
the delivery of care, communications, and educational services for cancer patients.
Phone: 917-595-4169
Financial assistance for cancer patients:
Patient Access Network Foundation
The Patient Access Network Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated
to supporting the needs of underinsured patients who cannot access the treatments
they need due to out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
Phone 866-316-PANF (866-316-7263)
Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)
A nonprofit organization that seeks to safeguard patients by serving as liaisons
with insurers, employers, and/or providing advice on debt crisis matters relative
to their diagnoses.
Phone: 800-532-5274
National Coalition for Cancer Research (NCCR)
A coalition committed to improving the quality of life of cancer patients throughout
the world through financial relief, research, and education. NCCR works to reduce
the suffering of cancer patients and their families by meeting unfulfilled needs
with medical and financial relief.
Phone: 919-821-2182
Cancer information:
Cancer Consultants
A member of the Cancer Information Network, Cancer Consultants is the leading developer
of oncology Web sites, their content, and Internet applications in oncology. This
site can provide you, your family, and caregivers with the most current information
about the prevention, screening, treatment, and overall management of cancer.
Coping Magazine
This online magazine provides cancer patients, their families, caregivers, healthcare
teams, and support group leaders with knowledge, hope, and inspiration.
Phone: 615-790-2400
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NCI conducts and supports research
and training and can provide you with the latest information and educational materials.
Phone: 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
R. A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Inspires patients by matching the newly diagnosed with trained, home-based volunteers
who have undergone treatment for the same type of cancer.
Phone: 800-433-0464
Clinical trials:
American Cancer Society (ACS)
If you’re interested in being part of a clinical trial, the American Cancer Society
Clinical Trials Matching Service is a free, confidential program that can help you
find the clinical trials most appropriate to your medical and personal situation.
The Web site also guides you to support groups and opportunities for volunteering.
Phone: 800-303-5691
Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
This nonprofit organization’s mission is to improve the quality of life and survival
of cancer patients by increasing participation in clinical trials. The Web site
gives you access to a cancer clinical trials search engine and an interactive training
guide for cancer clinical trials.
Phone: 877-520-4457
ClinicalTrials.gov
A service of the National Institutes of Health, this Web site provides information
about clinical trials being conducted in the United States and around the world.
You get access to information about a trial’s purpose, who may participate, locations,
and contact numbers.
Phone: 1-888-346-3656
Additional services:
American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)
An organization that fosters research on diet and cancer prevention, interprets
the evidence, and educates the public about the results. This Web site can provide
you with personalized answers to questions about diet, nutrition, and cancer.
Phone: 800-843-8114
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
Works to advance care at the end of life. The Hospice Hotline helps callers find
suitable hospices in their areas.
Phone: 800-658-8898.
United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc.
A national network for bowel and urinary diversion support groups in the United
States. Its goal is to improve the quality of life of people who have had, or will
have, an intestinal or urinary diversion.
Phone: 800-826-0826.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about colon or rectal cancer
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