There are a growing number of organizations dedicated to helping young adult cancer fighters and survivors. We have grouped these organizations according to what they do below and highlighted those that are in Michigan with a mitten.
Abridge is a free app that securely records conversations with your doctor. It transcribes the key details of your care so you can revisit your visit, anytime. Stay on top of your health, one conversation at a time. Our technology is designed to help you understand and follow through on your doctor's advice.
The Alliance for Fertility and Preservation supports a vision that fertility preservation will be a standard facet of cancer care so all patients receive the information, support, referrals and services they need to protect their individual reproductive and parenthood goals.
Everyone’s heard of the American Cancer Society, what you may not realize is they have plenty of information for a young adult cancer patient and survivor. Just scroll the tabs on the top of the page to find a wealth of topics anywhere from research and treatment to support and heathy tips. If you have a specific need, find the search bar and start typing, you’ll be surprised what pops up!
The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the emotional, social, and financial stability of Michigan patients and families as they navigate their blood cancer journey. Cancer is expensive, both emotionally and financially. BCFM believes nobody should face this journey alone. Master's level professionals personalize critical emotional and financial support services to each patient and immediate family member, allowing them to focus on healing. BCFM supports the patients from diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond, and never discharges anyone from services.
No young adult should face cancer alone. The b-present Foundation was inspired by and founded in memory of 20 year old Kirsten, who lost her battle with cancer in 2016. b-present improves the quality of life and health outcomes for young adults with cancer by promoting the importance of connection, and providing the education and resources that empower communities of support to be present and stay connected throughout treatment and beyond.
Bright Spot Network provides young cancer survivors who are parents of small children with a safe space for individual and familial healing, recovery, and reconnection.
Cancer.Net provides timely, comprehensive, oncologist-approved information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), with support from the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Cancer.Net brings the expertise and resources of ASCO to people living with cancer and those who care for and about them to help patients and families make informed health care decisions.
Camp Kesem operates free summer camps for children who have been touched by a parent’s cancer. There are camps throughout the U.S. The University or Michigan and Michigan State University are among the locations. To apply: http://campkesem.org/camper-application
CancerCare provides free, professional support services for young adults affected by cancer, as well as cancer information and additional resources.
A cancer diagnosis turns a person’s world upside down–emotionally, physically and financially. CancerCare® can help. CancerCare is committed to providing professional oncology social workers that offer personalized care. All of our services are free of charge. Explore the website to learn more.
Cancer Dudes by M Powerment hosts one-time, two-day workshops for male cancer patients and survivors at local bars across the U.S.
Find your community with us if you're in the Greater AnnArbor area. We believe that Community is Stronger than Cancer. We are a relentless ally for anyone who strives to manage the realities of this disruptive disease. So no one faces cancer alone.
A free, 12 week training program designed to introduce cancer survivors to physical activity by providing them with the engagement, guidance and support necessary to complete a 5K distance run. If you are living in an area without a training team choose the “At Home” team and enjoy the same support virtually. (Cancer to 5K is a division of The Ulman Cancer Fund)
Caring Bridge is a nonprofit organization providing free websites that connect families and friends with each other and their community during a serious health event, care, and recovery.
We are a social group of adolescents and young adults (AYA), ages 18-26, with medical conditions that weaken immune systems put by young adults in the same situation. Side by side, we share empathetic relationships in a fun and casual environment. Vita Collective hosts typical social experiences such as game nights, yoga and grill outs as a program of Children’s Healing Center and AYA Movement. We continuously develop a close-knit community of young adults doing life together.
Children with Hair Loss (CWHL) is a Michigan based non-profit supplying those UNDER 21 with wigs and smiles. CWHL was created as a resource for ALL CHILDREN who have medically-related hair loss. It is our mission to empower these children to become whole again by making hair replacement available to those who may be financially challenged and might otherwise not have a means of obtaining the hair they want and need.
Connecting Champions asks AYAs with cancer "What are you passionate about?" and virtually pairs them with a mentor who shares that passion!
The Colon Club was one of the first organizations to recognize the importance of early age onset (<45 years old) colorectal cancer, seeking to raise awareness that it is not "an old man’s disease." The Colon Club family seeks to provide support and education in out-of-the-box ways to end the stigma surrounding talks about our bowel function and habits.
Healthy recipes for people touched by cancer.
Dear Jack Foundation provides impactful programming that directly benefits adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer in order to improve quality of life and create positive health outcomes from treatment to survivorship for patients and their families. Our Breathe Now and Life List programs offer hope and guidance to AYA's and their families.
Elephants and Tea is a media company with the mission to help adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, survivors and caregivers know they are not alone in their fight with cancer.
Our mission is to provide a sense of Escape for LGBTQIA+ Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers.
Fertile Hope is a LiveStrong initiative dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatment presents the risk of infertility.
The Blue Bag Movement sponsored by the Foye Belle Foundation is designed to pick you up on a “blue day”. If you are battling breast cancer Request a bag here: https://foyebelle.org/#anchor-Request
Established in 1988, Friend for Life is a network of cancer survivors and co-survivors (caregivers) who serve as trained volunteers, providing one-on-one emotional and psychosocial support to persons recently diagnosed with cancer, and their loved ones.
We are a free cancer support community for anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Whether you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, or have recently lost someone to cancer, there is a place for you at Gilda’s Club. We serve all ages, all genders and all cancer types. With locations in Detroit, Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe and a thriving virtual space, we are dedicated to serving metro Detroit. Our program provides support and networking groups led by licensed clinicians, educational presentations, healthy lifestyle workshops, social activities and resources and referrals for cancer patients, their loved ones, and those who are bereft.
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids provides free emotional healthcare to children, adults, families, and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death of someone in their life due to any cause.
Gryt Health connects patients and caregivers to others with shared experiences and to information relevant to their journey. Gryt has also created a platform via the Gryt App where people affected by cancer can connect with each other. Download through your app store.
High School Yearbook, through the book, it’s website, and social media is about the empowerment of teens with cancer, having them get that they are beautiful, powerful and alive with possibility, connecting young people with cancer and their families with others going through similar circumstances throughout the world, and having the world get these young people as the extraordinary human beings they are.
Hope for Two…The Pregnant with Cancer Network is an organization dedicated to providing women diagnosed with cancer while pregnant with information, support and hope.
Looking for the bright side during such a dark time can make the experience of battling cancer a little easier. Being a cancer patient in your 20s, 30s and 40s brings its own set of unique challenges. Visit the Humor Beats Cancer website to read blog post from young adults managing their diagnosis with a bit of humor. There is also a link if you want to share your humor during treatment with others.
Imerman Angels mission is to provide personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.
Jasper is a digital app for your cancer care. Organize your schedule, track your medications and symptoms, and access cancer care coaching support—all in one place. Jasper is available both via web and mobile app. To sign up and learn more visit Jasper by clicking on "more".
Cactus Cancer Society (formerly Lacuna Loft) Is a nonprofit providing online support & programs for creative coping to young adult cancer patients, survivors, & caregivers.
Based in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Lending Hearts has various support programs specific to young adults during and after cancer treatment.
LLS has several programs to support an AYA managing blood cancer. Check out their website to seek out the programs that will help you where you are at.
LiveStrong provides numerous types of cancer support. Through their Cancer Navigation Services, they offer counseling, support groups, classes and peer-to-peer connections. LiveStrong now has "Ellis" an App with personalized cancer support via AI. See their website for more details.
Young adults with breast cancer often feel isolated. Their experience with cancer is unique in that it tends to coincide with other life experiences such as pursuing an education or starting a career. Some are dating while others are getting married or raising young children. A cancer diagnosis for young adults is life-altering and comes with challenges ranging from body image issues to fertility preservation. The program for Breast Cancer in Young Adults has worked with young adults with cancer to develop informative videos and answer frequently asked questions to help other young adults navigate their cancer journey.
NCI is loaded with cancer information and research including a section specific to young adults. Get tips to cope with your cancer battle.
The mission of the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link is to help patients, caregivers, and families cope with the social and emotional challenges of bone marrow/stem cell transplant from diagnosis through survivorship by providing vital information and personalized support services.
Resilientship is a place where you can connect with another female 18-39 who is similar in diagnosis. By walking with those who are on the same journey as you, our hope is that your friendship - your Resilientship - serves as a unique source of strength, and that you are empowered by knowing the fight together is stronger than the fight alone.
Stupid Cancer proudly supports a global network of patients, survivors, caregivers, providers and advocates to ensure that no one affected by young adult cancer go unaware of the age-appropriate resources they are entitled to so they can get busy living.
Testicular Cancer Foundation provides education and support to young adult males to raise awareness about testicular cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among males ages 15 – 34.
We are committed to raise awareness for the most common form of cancer in men age 15-35, to provide education about the disease and give support for fighters, survivors, and caregivers.
Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer's mission is to empower, educate & uplift young women age 21–40 with breast cancer through financial and mental health support. Thriving Beyond BC has both virtual support groups and chemo-care kits. Details available on their website.
Theravive is a network of licensed therapists and psychologists committed to helping people receive the best mental health care available. Through building bridges with others, we continually strive to lower mental health stigma. Find a TheraVive licensed counselor near you!
This national organization was created for AYA’s that are dealing with long hospital stays associated with chronic cancer. Just because you’re stuck in bed doesn’t mean you can’t Make a Difference. If you have a cause you’re passionate about, fill out the form and Topplers blog will help you turn that BIG idea into a program that can help others. You can make an impact!
Triage Cancer is an invaluable resource, offering up-to-date information and guidance, to cancer patients and their families at any point of their treatment continuum and survivorship.
A leading voice in the young adult cancer movement, The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults works at a grassroots level to support, educate, connect, and empower young adult cancer survivors. From the time of diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond, the Ulman Cancer Fund helps young adults and their loved ones fight cancer through various direct support programs and resources.
Wigs 4 Kids is a local, grassroots nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides wigs and support services to Michigan children experiencing hair loss as a result of illness and treatment. Our program is available to children and teens between the ages of 3 through 18 at no cost to them or their families.
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young adults who are diagnosed with breast cancer. YSC offers resources, connections and outreach so you can feel supported, empowered and hopeful.