Rochester-area Cancer Service Agencies & Support Groups

American Cancer Society B. Thomas Golisano Hope Lodge and Hospitality House

Hope Lodge and Hospitality House provides free lodging to cancer patients and caregivers and low-cost lodging to transplant patients and their families receiving lifesaving treatment at hospitals in the Rochester area. More than a place to stay, Hope Lodge and Hospitality House is a "home away from home" offering a comfortable and supportive environment for encouragement and healing.

Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester

The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester's mission is to provide support to those touched by a diagnosis of breast cancer, to make access to information and care a priority through education and advocacy, and to empower women and men to participate fully in decisions relating to breast cancer. Breast Cancer is a serious health problem in New York State, with more than 12,000 new cases and 3,500 deaths reported each year. Breast cancer represents over 28% of all malignancies among women. The Breast Cancer Coalition is a local grassroots organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer through action and advocacy.

Camp Good Days and Special Times

Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. All of the programs and services provided by Camp Good Days are offered free of charge for the participants, which is only possible through the generosity of so many individuals and organizations and the success of our many special fundraising events.

Cancer Services Program of Monroe County

The Cancer Services Program of Monroe County (CSPMC) pays for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings for un-insured and under-insured women (ages 40- 64) and men (ages 50 -64). If a screening reveals a diagnosis of breast, cervical, colorectal or prostate cancer and the client has no insurance to cover treatment, the CSPMC will help the client apply for Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program coverage. Case management is also available for those needing additional support and assistance as they go through diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the CSPMC offers coverage for the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine for women ages 19 through 26. Appointments for breast exams, mammograms, pap test, and colorectal screenings can be made by calling the Cancer Services Program at 585-224-3070 or 1-877-293-0822.

Cancer Wellness Spa of Greater Rochester

The Cancer Wellness Spa of Greater Rochester was founded in May, 2006 by Dr. Cynthia Angel, Dr. Brent DuBeshter, and Eileen Grossman who realized the necessity for all cancer patients to have diversionary activities while receiving chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy can be emotionally, mentally and physically taxing. It is commonly associated with unpleasant side affects. The Cancer Wellness Spa is not a place but a program, where services are brought into the treatment center. Providing these activities allows the patients the opportunity to have a more positive experience.

Christopher's Challenge

The Purpose of Christopher's Challenge is to pay for the typing of samples for individuals willing to become potential donors through the National Marrow Donor Program. Christopher's Challenge is also able to assist with patients' costs not covered by insurance, as well as the many amenities that have been added to the Bone Marrow Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital, such as cots, recliners, laptop computers, and DVD players. Christopher's Challenge is named in honor of Christopher Costello, a young man from Webster, New York, who was suffering from leukemia and in need of a bone marrow transplant. In order to increase the number of people in the Bone Marrow Registry and find suitable bone marrow donors, Christopher's Challenge was established. Through Christopher's Challenge, the initial blood testing saw over 1000 people from the Rochester community added to the National Marrow Donor Program.

CURE Childhood Cancer Association

CURE Childhood Cancer Association is a nationally recognized innovator in peer support for families with children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders. For nearly 30 years, CURE has been a forerunner in the concepts of parent advocacy, long-term educational assistance and peer-to-peer support. CURE encourages and assists children, young adults and their families in Rochester and the surrounding region to realistically face diagnosis and treatment, cope with their fears and believe in the possibility of life after cancer.

Edelman-Gardner Cancer Research Foundation

The Sally Edelman-Harry Gardner Cancer Research Foundation was founded in 1984 with an established goal to raise a million dollars for Cancer Research. Based in Hilton, NY the foundation funds research projects in the Rochester area through the University of Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. Lessons on the power of a single dollar can be learned from leaders of the Sally Edelman-Harry Gardner Cancer Research Foundation. The group has led nearly 36 years of grassroots fund-raising to support research at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. "One of the things we're proud of is how our grants have been multiplied over and over to fund research for cancer cures," says George Edelman Jr., president of the Hilton-based foundation.

Embrace Your Sisters (emergency financial support for people with breast cancer)

Embrace Your Sisters (EYS) fills a unique niche in breast cancer services by providing short-term emergency financial assistance to residents of Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne & Yates counties in New York. Many people diagnosed with breast cancer are unable to work during their illness or treatment, adding a huge financial toll to an already difficult struggle. Assistance from EYS eases the financial difficulties of unpaid bills and helps friends focus on their health and families.

Gilda's Club of Rochester

Gilda's Club provides a meeting place for men, women and children living with cancer, along with their family and friends. They join with others to build social and emotional support as a supplement to medical care. Free of charge and non-profit, Gilda's Club offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in a non-residential, homelike setting. Gilda's Club is funded through the generosity of private individuals, corporations, foundations, and grants.

Human Touch Initiative (HTI)

You have found the massage therapy resource for Rochester, NY area residents who are living with cancer. Human Touch Initiative (HTI) is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization. Our Oncology Massage Program, making massage accessible to those with a current cancer diagnosis for free or low-cost has been in action since October 2009. Massage is an integrative, non-invasive and nurturing approach to addressing these emotional and physical ways cancer patients may suffer. HTI was founded to make it more accessible, to increase public and medical practitioner awareness of its benefits and to help cancer patients find qualified therapists in the Rochester area.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Western and Central NY Chapter )

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Western & Central New York Chapter currently funds four blood cancer research projects in our region. We also service over 3,500 local patients, who are can receive support through our financial aid programs, support groups, peer counseling, educational programs, and many other patient services. We serves residents who have been touched by the blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, in the following counties: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Erie, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates

Made the Same (Ovarian & Cervical Cancer Awareness)

This organization was founded to help educate young people of the signs and symptoms of Ovarian and Cervical Cancer. Made The Same is a non-profit organization that educates the new generation of adolescents to recognize the risks and dangers of Cervical and Ovarian Cancers and understand the importance of early detection. Made the Same is on its way to be the forefront of awareness through education about Ovarian and Cervical Cancer early detection. Made the Same will present it's information to the younger generation through several outlets. Some being festivals, school events, concerts, and charitable functions. In addition, presentations will be given at school assemblies, events, and numerous classes. Made the Same aims to provide respectable encounters with all persons touched by the subject. It is important to the company to be able to deliver exceptional customer service, while maintaining a trustworthy connection with those willing to support the cause.

Mary Lukacs MRI Fund

About the Mary Lukacs MRI Fund: In honor of the vibrant spirit of Mary this fund has been created to provide individuals in our area the means to pay for an MRI for breast cancer screening. The Mary Lukacs MRI Fund is a registered 501 c(3)Non profit organization. We started this not for profit organization because we want individuals at risk for breast cancer and without the means to pay for an MRI the ability to have one. It's that simple. With your donation to the Mary Lukacs MRI Fund, dollars will be spent to provide MRI's to individuals and hopefully give them more days to live their lives.

Melissa's Living Legacy - Teens Living with Cancer

Melissa's Living Legacy Teen Cancer Foundation is a national non-profit organization founded in and based in Rochester, NY dedicated to helping teens live with cancer. With our medically accurate, innovative, and totally teen-oriented resources, teens with cancer learn about their disease and treatment, discover effective coping strategies, and connect with other teens on the same ride. If you are a teen with cancer or know a teen living with cancer and want to help, you're in the right place! Melissa's Living Legacy seeks to improve the quality of life for all impacted by adolescent cancer - teens with cancer, their families, friends, and health care providers. Our vision is that all teens with cancer have opportunities for life-affirming experiences throughout each stage of their disease.

Naiades Oncology Rowing, Inc.

The Naiades rowing program is committed to serving the physical and emotional needs of cancer survivors. We support women who have faced cancer, or are currently in treatment by providing physical conditioning, rehabilitation, education, and camaraderie. Through our shared rowing experience, we find a means to maintain wellness for our bodies, and courage and determination for our spirit. We find healing on the water through the power of our commitment, and we hope to provide inspiration to all of those who face the challenges of cancer.

Saves For A Cure

Saves For A Cure is a non-profit organization aimed to help children with their battle against cancer in the Rochester, New York area. Our goal is to help the children and show them, and their families, that there is life after cancer. We want to help in every way we can. With the money donated, we will make a difference in their lives.

SIS (SUSTAIN~ INSPIRE~ SURVIVE)

The SIS Mission: SIS is committed to improving the quality of life of those battling breast cancer. We do this by providing financial assistance, essential services and quality of life enhancements during treatment to those in need. Behind The Mission: SIS is a non-profit organization established to support patients and survivors who have been afflicted by breast cancer. By providing loving guidance, funding, care and knowledge, we help them regain their dignity and self-esteem as well as emotional and physical beauty.

Step It Up For A Cure (Cure Pancreatic Cancer)

Step It Up For A Cure is a Rochester, NY based charity established to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Our mission is to turn our personal pain into something meaningful and helpful in the fight against pancreatic cancer. We hope to make a difference in people's lives and in generations to come by raising the awareness and raising funds to help the research at the Wilmot Cancer Center.

Tracy's Hope Foundation

Tracy's Hope is a not-for-profit organization funded through private and public donations to provide education, awareness, and screening for Cervical Cancer. Tracy's Hope will also provide testing and/or immunization against HPV (Human Papillomavirus) for young men and women in need of financial assistance.

Western New York Wellness

The Western New York Wellness, Inc. operates a program designed to offer physical activities to help cancer survivors regain physical fitness. Physical activity has been shown to improve several components of quality of life (physical, functional, and emotional). The WNYWP operates a series of physical activity programs targeted and geared to cancer survivors. The goals of the physical activity program is to engage and motivate people who have survived a diagnosis of cancer to reach their physical and social potential through participation in a program of regular physical activity centered around cycling. This is facilitated by providing opportunities in the form of camaraderie, regularly scheduled chaperoned outdoor bike rides in the spring and summer months, regularly scheduled indoor spin classes in the fall and winter months and year round free access to participating local health clubs.