Hematology & BMT Guide: Support Groups & Care Programs
Support groups and services
American Psychosocial Oncology Society
Helpline for individuals with cancer and their care-givers to find cancer support and counseling in their local communities.
Phone: (866) 276-7443
Amyloidosis Support Group
Multiple locations in the Bay Area.
Dena Heath: (925) 939-0688 or [email protected]
CancerCare
Variety of supportive services including online support groups for adults, teens, parents and care-givers.
Phone: (800) 813-HOPE
Cancer Support Programs at Local Hospitals
Your local hospital may offer a variety of support groups and cancer support programs, such as meditation, yoga, nutrition and guided imagery, which may be more convenient than attending a program at UCSF. Many hospital programs are open to community members who receive their care elsewhere.
- Doctor's Medical Center (Modesto)
Phone: (888) 284-6641 - Marin General Cancer Institute (Greenbrae)
Phone: (415) 925-7920 - Stanford Hospital (Palo Alto)
Phone: (650) 725-9456 - Sutter Solano Cancer Center (Vallejo)
Phone: (707) 554-5326 - UC Davis (Sacramento Area)
Continue reading
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Support groups and services throughout Northern California (San Francisco, East Bay, Sonoma, Sacramento and Fresno)
Phone: (800) 955-4572
Myeloma Support Group (Bay Area) Meets in San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek and Palo Alto
Multiple Myeloma Support Group (Sonoma/Napa)
Email: [email protected]
Patient and Family Cancer Support Center
Variety of support groups and programs (nutrition, guided imagery, writing, yoga, meditation) in San Francisco. Individual counseling available.
Phone: (415) 885-3693
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinema Support
Multiple locations in Bay Area.
Contact: Alyce and Terry Rossow, (925) 447-8881
Cancer Support Community
Support groups and services in Walnut Creek, Richmond, Concord, San Ramon, Vallejo and Pleasanton. Also offers online support groups.
Phone: (925) 933-0107
Women Care
Support groups and programs in Santa Cruz.
(831) 457-2273
Women's Cancer Resource Center
Support groups and programs in Oakland.
Phone: (510) 601-4040
One-on-one peer counseling
BMT InfoNet, "Caring Connections Program"
Phone: (888) 597-7674
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, "First Connection"
Phone: (800) 955-4572
National Bone Marrow Transplant Link, "Peer Support on Call"
Phone: (800) 546-5268
Cultural-, language- and age-specific groups and programs
Children and Teens
Camp Kesam
Summer camp for children whose parents have, or have had, cancer. In Berkeley.
Phone: (510) 495-6542
CancerCare for Kids
Offers online support group for teens who have a parent with cancer, educational workshops for parents and educational materials.
Phone: (800) 813-HOPE
Circle of Care
Offers a variety of supportive services to help families with young children in the East Bay.
Phone: (510) 531-7551, ext. 195
Mothers' Living Stories Project
Information and support for mothers with cancer and other illnesses
School Counselors
Available in most elementary and high schools to help children, teens and families cope with stressors such as an illness in the family. Contact your child's school for information.
SuperSibs!
Information and support for siblings of children with cancer.
Phone: (888) 417-4704
Chinese
Asian Family Institute of RAMS (San Francisco)
Individual counseling in Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, Tagalog, Japanese and Russian.
Phone: (415) 668-5998, ext. 21
Chinese Community Cancer Information Center
Cancer information in Cantonese and Mandarin, transportation, and supportive services.
Phone: (415) 677-2473
Chinatown Public Health Center "CARE" Program
The Cancer Patient Advocate and Visitation Program offers one-on-one peer support for Chinese-speaking men and women.
Contact: Lei-Chun Fung, (415) 364-7908
Donaldina Cameron House
Individual counseling and cancer support group. Mandarin and Cantonese.
Phone: (415) 781-0401, ext. 127
GLBT
National LGBT Cancer Network
The National LGBT Cancer Network currently runs cancer peer-support groups.
Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women
The National LGBT Cancer Project - Out With Cancer
Cancer Facts for Gay and Bisexual Men
Jewish
Bay Area Jewish Healing Center
Spiritual support for Jewish individuals living with serious illness and their families. Services include support groups and healing prayer services.
Phone: (415) 750-4197
Jewish Family and Children's Services
Comprehensive social services, including meals, financial assistance and attendant care. San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma County.
Phone: (415) 449-1200
Latino/Spanish
Circulo de Vida
Information and support for Latinos with cancer in San Francisco.
Phone: (415) 648-9423
Young adult
Stupid Cancer
Online community for young adults. Offers information, resources and connection.
Phone: (877) 735-4673
Immerman Angels
One-on-one peer support.
Phone: (312) 274-5529
Young Adult Support Groups
- San Francisco: Patient and Family Cancer Support Center
Phone: (415) 885-3693 - Online support groups/chat rooms:
Group Loop
Additional resources for young adults are available. Please see the section on survivorship at the bottom of this page, as well as the sections on financial assistance and retreats.
Body image and beauty
American Cancer Society
Provides limited amount of free wigs, hats and turbans for women with cancer. Also offers TLC catalog of wigs, hats and scarves.
Phone: (800) ACS-2345
TLC: (800) 850-9445
Friend to Friend Gift Shop
Offers personalized assistance shopping for wigs, hats, skin care products, inspirational books and CDs. Also offers beauty makeovers and wig-trimming services.
Phone: (415) 353-7776
Hansen Fontana
High-end wigs in San Francisco.
Phone: (415) 495-8888
Look Good…Feel Better and Look Good…Feel Better for Men
Group workshops that teach beauty techniques help combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Programs offered throughout the Bay Area. Special programs available for men.
Phone: (800) 895-LOOK
Paula Young Online Wig Catalog
Phone: (800) 364-9060
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Phone: (888) 650-9127
Young Adult Survivor Conference, Camp Make-A-Dream
Phone: (406) 549-5987
Expect Miracles Foundation
Phone: (617) 391-9235
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Phone: (888) 393-FUND
Hematology and BMT Resource Guide
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.
