GENERAL RESOURCES
Living Beauty App
We are excited to share our mobile application for Living Beauties and women with cancer. Through this app, you’ll have the capability to sign-up for upcoming events, read blogs, find resources for your journey, and much more! We are especially excited to announce our favorite feature of this app which is the messaging and chat function! Through this feature, you’ll be able to search for other Living Beauties based on their city, name, or type of cancer. To download the app you can follow the links below or search “Living Beauty” in the Apple Store or Google Play Store. You will need to “Sign-up” and create an account in order to access the app. Please use the email address that you receive Living Beauty emails in order to sign up. If you have any questions or issues, please contact [email protected].
Lotsa Helping Hands Community
With the Help Calendar, you can post requests for support – things like meals for the family, rides to medical appointments, or just stopping by to visit.
Members of your community can quickly find ways to help, and Lotsa will send reminders and help coordinate logistics automatically so nothing falls through the cracks.
Cancer and Careers
http://www.cancerandcareers.org
The mission of Cancer and Careers is to empower and educate people with cancer to thrive in their workplace, by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events.
Create to Heal Podcast
https://anchor.fm/create-to-heal
The Create to Heal Podcast is about life, leadership, and conversations from the heart. In each episode, Patricia Varga and Melody wang explore what creativity and healing are to their invited guest. The Create to Heal Podcast team invites all types of people to join them, from all industries and experiences. They always use poetry and creativity to engage audience participation, and look forward to connecting!
Center for Cancer Counseling
https://centerforcancercounseling.org/
Fran’s Place – Center for Cancer Counseling was developed as a safe and comfortable place where all cancer patients and their families receive valuable support, education and the tools to cope with the feelings surrounding the diagnosis, treatment and side effects of cancer.
CancerCare Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program
https://www.cancercare.org/paw
CancerCare now offers the Pet Assistance & Wellness Program (PAW) to address the distinct needs of people with cancer who share their home with a cat or dog. Caring for your pet when you have cancer can be challenging, and PAW is here to help. The PAW program assists people undergoing cancer treatment with the challenges of keeping their cat or dog at home.
Bay Area Cancer Connections
https://www.bayareacancer.org/
Bay Area Cancer Connections supports anyone affected by breast or ovarian cancer with personalized services that inform and empower.
Latinas Contra Cancer
https://latinascontracancer.org/
Latinas Contra Cancer’s mission is to create an inclusive health care system that provides services to the underserved Latino population around issues of cancer.
Pet Porter Pals
Pet Porter Pals is pleased to donate pet care services including dog walking, transportation to vet/grooming appointments, and litter box cleanup to Living Beauty pet parents. We’ll help keep pets happy and healthy from head to tail while the Living Beauties focus on their recovery and treatments. For more information, please email [email protected].
Cancer Support Community
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/
The Cancer Support Community is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. Click here to find a location near you.
Cleaning for a Reason
http://www.cleaningforareason.org
Their mission is to give the gift of free house cleaning for women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer. Their goal is to let these brave and strong women focus on their health and treatment while we focus on, and take away the worry and work of, cleaning their homes– free of charge.
Living Beauty Cookbook
This book of recipes was created by Kelleigh Serdar for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. This is her gift to the Living Beauties. She compiled recipes submitted by the Living Beauties and some of her personal recipes into this book. In the first section you will find recipes that are good for lunches and dinners. The next section contains salad recipes that you can eat as a meal or as a side dish. Then there are appetizer recipes perfect for parties. Lastly there are breakfast recipes that are good for meal preparaton and dessert recipes. All the recipies are vegetarian or vegan. The protein sources can be substituted with animal proteins, soy free options, or kept how they are. This book is here to help the Living Beauties nourish and care for themselves through healthy and easy eating.
CanPlan
CanPlan is a one-of-a-kind planner designed specifically for cancer patients and their caregivers. It provides daily reminders, guidelines for positive living, and methods for monitoring and tracking all of the details of your illness every step of the way.
Nancy’s List
Nancy’s List is a non-profit foundation serving the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of persons living with cancer and those who love and care for them. The mission of Nancy’s list is to create space for survivors and healing professionals to share resources that will compliment cancer treatments, mitigate the stresses, and deepen the healing process. These resources include a community of over 19,000 subscribers, 600 clinicians and holistic practitioners, and a terrific library of information about financial assistance, integrative therapies, stories of hope and gratitude, and a book co-authored by Executive Director, Nancy Novak entitled I Am With You: Love Letters to Cancer Patients.
International Myeloma Foundation
The International Myeloma Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of multiple myeloma patients while working toward
prevention and a cure through their four founding principles: Research, Education, Support, and Advocacy.
They also offer support groups. To find a support group in your area, please visit https://www.myeloma.org/support-groups.
Imerman Angels
Their mission is to provide personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.
Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation
VACF is dedicated to preventing cancer, improving patient quality of life, and saving lives through cancer education, research, advocacy, and services in the Vietnamese community.
Queasy Drops by Three Lollies
https://threelollies.com/queasy-products/
Three Lollies was founded by a Registered Nurse who wanted to develop a product to help women in labor with nausea they were experiencing – Over time, Three Lollies expanded its line of natural, drug-free products to help relieve nausea and promote hydration for moms-to-be as well as those receiving cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and those suffering from motion sickness or other conditions associated with nausea and dehydration.
Healthcare professionals develop all of our specially formulated products based on their research and expertise. In addition, all products are manufactured in the United States.
Financial Assistance
HelpHOPELive
Provides small grants and financial assistance to eligible patients, as well as information and support for fundraising and patient awareness that can help with out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Cuck Fancer
Cuck Fancer is an organization dedicated to educating and spreading awareness to young adults affected by cancer through financial assistance and community involvement.
The Samfund
The Samfund provides support to young adults who are struggling financially because of cancer. Through direct financial assistance and free online support and education, they help young adults survive and move forward with their lives after cancer.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Provides support to patients under the age of 25 seeking to initiate or complete a course for study that has been interrupted or delayed by a diagnosis of cancer or other life-threatening diseases. The patient must have been diagnosed within the past five years.
The Allyson Whitney Foundation
https://www.allysonwhitney.org/
The Allyson Whitney Foundation primarily provides young adult cancer patients with ‘Life Interrupted Grants™’ to ease their financial burden, so that they can concentrate their energy on healing.
CancerCare
CancerCare offers limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs such as transportation and child care, and their oncology social workers can help you find resources.
Project Purple
Project Purple is an impact-driven organization with a vision of a world without pancreatic cancer. Project Purple is dedicated to providing financial aid to patients in treatment for pancreatic cancer. They assist with medical and everyday living expenses so patients can focus on the fight. If you or a loved one is suffering from pancreatic cancer, please click the link for information on how to apply for the Patient Financial Aid program.
Keep a Breast Give Back Program
https://www.keep-a-breast.org/kab-give-back-grants
The KAB Give Back Grant program seeks to counteract the injustice and inequality in the healthcare system through financial aid for BIPOC women who are survivors or diagnosed with breast cancer.
Remember Betty
The mission of the Remember Betty Foundation is to help minimize the financial burden associated with breast cancer for patients & survivors so that they can focus on recovery & quality of life.
The Pink Fund
The Pink Fund provides 90 day non-medical cost-of-living expenses to breast cancer patients in active treatment for breast cancer, so they can focus on healing, raising their families, and returning to the workplace.
Infinite Strength
https://www.infinitestrength.org/
Infinite Strength exists to make medical treatments accessible for underserved breast cancer patients and to offset comfort care costs that can make all the difference in the healing process, both physically and emotionally.
MEND- Meeting Each Need with Dignity
MEND offers food, clothing, medical, eye care, dental, multi-benefit screenings, and education and training services for those in need. If you need help, come to the MEND Center reception area during operating hours for an intake interview.
1 Up on Cancer
1 Up on Cancer is a gaming community-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to direct financial assistance for adults in the United States undergoing cancer treatment.
HealthWell Foundation
https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
The mission of HealthWell Foundation is to reduce the financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases by assisting with copays, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Breast Cancer Angels
https://www.breastcancerangels.org/financial-assistance/
Breast Cancer Angels provides temporary financial assistance to eligible patients who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of their treatment.
Eligibility criteria include: diagnosis of primary breast cancer, treatment plan (verified by medical team), demonstrated financial need, and is resident of Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino or Riverside County (CA).
Transportation and Lodging
Road to Recovery
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html
The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatment for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves.
Mercy Medical Airlift
Referral services that connects patients to free flights.
National Patient Travel Center
Provides information about long-distance medical air transport through charities.
Air Charity Network
Offers free flights in the U.S. Volunteer pilots are available to fly patients in need to specialized health care facilities.
Angel Flight West
www.angelflightwest.org/passen
Angel Flight West arranges free medical transportation in the 13 western US states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They primarily arrange transportation in small private aircraft, so their service is best suited for regional travel.
Healthcare Hospitality Network
Referral service for nearly 200 nonprofit organizations that provide comfortable lodging and other support services to patients, and those who are supporting them, during medical treatment for free or at significantly reduced cost.
Footprints in the Sky
http://www.footprintsflights.org/
Footprints in the Sky is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to providing flights for patients to medical facilities throughout the United States using mainly donated charter and corporate jets. Those who seek their help are typically in need of routine, critical or life-saving care and cannot use commercial airline service or other means of transportation because of financial constraints and medical issues.
Resources for Children of Cancer Patients and Survivors
Camp Kesem
Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. We are the largest national organization dedicated to this unique population – supporting children with innovative, fun-filled programs that foster a lasting community.
Walk With Sally
Walk With Sally is dedicated to providing free mentoring support programs and services to children whose parents, guardians or siblings have cancer or succumbed to cancer.
Insurance and Medical Assistance
Needy Meds
Non-profit organization that assists people who cannot afford medicine and related health care costs by finding assistance programs for them.
Pink Lotus Foundation
The Pink Lotus Foundation is a nonprofit organization that enables low-income, uninsured and underinsured women in the United States to receive 100% free breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment services.
Medical Assistance Tool
https://medicineassistancetool.org/
The Medical Assistance Tool was created to match patients with resources and cost-sharing programs that may help lower out-of-pocket costs, whether or not they have insurance.
PharmD Drug Discounts
https://pharmddegree.com/resources/ultimate-guide-to-drug-discounts/
Navigating the world of prescription drugs can be daunting, especially when it comes to managing costs. For many, the price of medication can be a significant burden. However, there are numerous ways to obtain discounts on prescription drugs.
This guide aims to provide comprehensive information on how different groups, including those with specific conditions, can access these discounts.
Families USA Program Locator
Provides listings of health insurance assistance programs by state. These programs handle questions about Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. They may be able to refer you to low-cost or free healthcare, which may include prescription drug assistance.
Retire Guide – Medicare and Cancer Treatment
https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/treatments/cancer/
Dealing with cancer can be an overwhelming experience, but there is help available. RetireGuide.com has a comprehensive guide to Medicare coverage for cancer treatment. This guide delves into crucial aspects of Medicare coverage for cancer treatment, addressing which parts of Medicare cover these expenses, outlining potential out-of-pocket costs, and offering guidance on finding Medicare-approved cancer treatment providers. They understand that navigating the complexities of Medicare can be daunting, so they’ve also included a list of resources to help you navigate the process with confidence. If you are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, this guide can help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your care.
RxAssist
Maintains a database of resources for low-income patients to receive free or low-cost medications if they do not have prescription insurance coverage.
Wigs and Beauty
Oncology Aesthetics and Wellness Center (OAW)
https://shop.hairwithacause.com/
Hair With A Cause was founded in 2016 with a specific focus on applying hair extensions for women who experienced hair loss while undergoing chemotherapy. In 2022, Hair With A Cause expanded its specific focus to a complete focus, encapsulating our client’s well-being we evolved into Oncology Aesthetics and Wellness Center, also known as OAW. Upon cancer diagnosis, OAW answers the What Now, offering complimentary products and services that exude excellence while balancing our client’s healthcare regimen, aesthetics desires, and wellness needs throughout treatment.
OAW takes a holistic approach by addressing the aesthetics and wellness changes that occur during chemotherapy. They exclusively focus on three stages: Pre, During and Post Chemotherapy, the five OAW pillars are carefully designed to address these stages. Upon diagnosis, prior to starting any treatment OAW | Wigs customizes a perfectly fitted Human Hair Wig to your specifications, while OAW | Hair With A Cause CPR Program prepares you for your Post Chemo Hair Re-attachment. During treatment, OAW | Boutique offers over 500 restorative products, addressing the adverse effects caused by treatment. These carefully curated quality surgical garments, supplements and hair vitamins offered at their Boutique make the process seamless and personal. Whether you need skin and hair products, tummy, or nausea Supplements, OAW offers a more personal experience in a beautifully designed environment created just for you. In efforts to meet their mission and commitment to delivering a state-of-the-art all-inclusive center for women, OAW is pleased to announce the addition of two pillars: Aesthetics and Wellness Services, which will be integrated in early 2024.
Lipstick Angels
Lipstick Angels is a nonprofit organization that provides clean-beauty and wellness programs that aim to restore the dignity, hope, and self-esteem to cancer patients by offering complementary, personalized, and oncology-sensitive beauty and skincare services in hospitals at patients’ bedsides or while they are receiving treatment.
Methodist Hospital Cancer Resource and Positive Resource Center Offer Patients Free, No-Cost Wigs
The Methodist Hospital Cancer Resource and Positive Appearance Center is proud to partner with EBeauty Community, which offers a national wig exchange program where women can donate wigs they no longer need to others who are undergoing cancer treatments. Hair is an integral part of a woman’s life and for women undergoing chemotherapy, the loss of their hair can add another layer of emotional strain and impact self-image during an already traumatic time. Wigs are expensive (generally costing from $700 to $5,000) and many women, especially those struggling to cover health care bills, cannot afford the cost of a quality wig. Methodist Hospital believes every woman experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy should have access to a wig. Through their partnership with eBeauty, they provide free wig fittings and wigs to any woman undergoing cancer treatment, regardless of where they live or were treated. Methodist aims to meet immediate needs while fostering a cycle of giving, receiving, hope and healing.
To schedule a free wig fitting, contact the Methodist Hospital Cancer Resource and Positive Appearance Center at 626-574-3515, or send an email to: [email protected].
Helen’s Room
You can receive free, private and confidential consultations with specially trained volunteers in a warm and inviting environment to help you improve your appearance and lift your spirits. Helen’s Room offers services and products for low-income, uninsured women . All cancer patients are welcome.
- Hats, scarves, turbans and wigs
- Breast prostheses, mastectomy bras
- Educational books and videos
- Community resources
- Support groups
Craft’d With Love
The mission of Craft’d With Love is simple: to “Share the Warmth” by donating hand knitted scarves to individuals diagnosed with cancer. Hospital rooms can be cold and lonely. The scarves provide a familiar object that can offer comfort and warmth to patients as they travel back and forth from treatment. For a scarf, please contact the Living Beauty office.
Knitted Knockers
http://www.knittedknockers.org/
This organization provides knitted prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies or breast surgery. These realistic breast-shaped prostheses come in different colors and sizes, and are handmade for you by other women.
(P.ink) Personal Ink
P.ink is dedicated to empowering women to reclaim their bodies after mastectomies. Through education and connection with experienced tattoo artists who can help, P.ink is committed to ensuring that breast cancer never has to leave the last mark.
EBeauty
EBeauty Community Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life of women undergoing cancer treatments through the implementation of its Wig Exchange and Hospital Partnership Program. Their primary goal is to provide all women, regardless of economic status or geographic location, access to wigs.
Experiences for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Send Me On Vacation
Send Me On Vacation provides women with breast cancer who have undergone treatment with a way to heal their mind, body and spirit through vacationing at relaxing and beautiful destinations around the world.
Fresh Chapter Alliance Foundation
A Fresh Chapter Alliance Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to healing the emotional scars of cancer by combining domestic or international volunteering with programs designed to reframe adversity, foster connections and promote personal growth and development. Their mission is to empower men and women who have been impacted by cancer – either as a patient or a caregiver – to expand their stories beyond the disease while giving back to communities around the world. Programs include both a meaningful volunteer travel experience as well an innovative framework for ongoing support and healing.
First Descents
First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (age 18-39) impacted by cancer.
Epic Experience
Epic Experience’s pinnacle program is a free weeklong adventure camp in the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the week, as participants challenge themselves physically, find community with other survivors, and talk through fears and worries, they gain hope and return home with tools and support to help them live and thrive beyond cancer.
Women with Wings Foundation
The Women with Wings Foundation is a teaching non-profit and 501 (c)(3) recognized organization that bridges the gap between the science and technology of medicine and holistic patient care by offering healing arts programs, products and services that can easily be integrated into a provider’s existing protocol. Their products and services use all forms of art to inspire cancer, chronic pain patients and their families to heal emotionally, spiritually and physically. Discovering one’s creative instincts brings empowerment, joy, faith and hope to the healing process.
Dear Jack Foundation
https://www.dearjackfoundation.org/
The Dear Jack Foundation provides impactful programming that directly benefits adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer in order to improve their quality of life and create positive health outcomes from treatment to survivorship for patients and their families.
Legal Assistance
Cancer Legal Resource Center
Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) is a program of the Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC), a 501C-3 non-profit, public interest advocacy organization that champions the civil rights of people with disabilities as well as those affected by cancer and other serious illness. DRLC’s Cancer Legal Resource Center provides information through its national telephone assistance line, outreach programs and community activities to educate and to support cancer patients, their families, healthcare professionals and advocates on matters like maintaining employment through treatment, accessing healthcare and government benefits, taking medical leave and estate planning. For a person with a cancer diagnosis, these issues often result in worry and confusion, which can be overwhelming. When left unaddressed, patients may survive treatment to find their homes, jobs or insurance coverage gone. When information is readily and easily accessible, quality outcomes for patient survivorship improve as stress and anxiety decrease.
Bet Tzedek
To achieve their vision of equitable access to justice for all, Bet Tzedek provides person-centered legal services that integrate with social support services, educate community members with the powerful knowledge of their legal rights, and uses their collective voice to reform systems.
