Here’s another quick list of some cancer organizations you may have not heard of:
Cancer Support Community
On June 1, 2011, Gilda’s Club Worldwide and The Wellness Community merged to become the Cancer Support Community (CSC). The CSC advocates on behalf of cancer patients to provide them with care that is focused on the patients’ concerns and emotional wellness. In addition, CSC worked with the American Cancer Society, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, and LIVESTRONG on the development of the 2012 accreditation standards for hospital cancer programs. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has just released these new standards to over 1,500 accredited hospitals in the United States and Puerto Rico. With these new patient-centered standards, cancer patients will be given a navigation process to address health care options and limitations and patients will also be tested for psychological distress so that they can be treated accordingly.
Kids Kicking Cancer
Kids Kicking Cancer (KKC) is a non-profit organization that offers weekly martial arts classes for inpatient and outpatient pediatric cancer patients. KKC teaches patients, parents, siblings and medical personnel the effective healing tools in relaxation, mental imagery, karate, breathing, pain management and meditation. KKC instructors accompany their students as they undergo painful medical procedures, in order to assist them in taking control of their emotional, spiritual and physical pain and to begin the healing process.
You can also check out some cancer camps and retreats that help kids to cope with the effects of cancer.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer (BABC) sells bridal gowns at discounted prices and donates the proceeds to Making Memories, an organization that aspires to fulfill the dreams of those who have stage-four cancer. BABC hosts over 32 yearly fashion shows of bridal gowns as well as the National Tour of Gowns. BABC has received such extensive worldwide donations and support from bridal designers, stores, manufacturers and individual women, that the organization currently features over 50,000 wedding gowns.
Zichron Menachem
Zichron Menachem (ZM) is the first Israeli organization to offer a wide range of support to pediatric cancer patients, and their support extends to children whose parents have cancer. The variety of programs that ZM offers includes parent support programs, retreats, activities, therapies, transportation for patients to and from treatments, sibling support programs, assistance in hospitals, culinary cuisine and cosmetic care for inpatients, as well as travel camps in the Summer, Spring and Winter. ZM’s doors are open all day every day to all Israeli citizens. Branches in America, England and Canada are a source of contributions for items such as hair donations, which become custom made wigs given as free gifts to cancer patients. ZM also has its own national platelet bank.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) funds pediatric oncology nursing research and provides upfront lodging and travel expenses for families that have children with cancer. Volunteers who have hosted local lemonade stands and “Grand Stands” (large lemonade stand events with activities for families) have collectively raised millions of dollars to date. ALSF encourages kids by teaching that no contribution is too small.
