Survivor Resources

Please note: the following is only a portion of what is available. Please contact SCarbone@IUHealth.org if you need help locating information.

American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
American Society of Clinical Oncology Patient Web site: www.cancer.net
Casting for Recovery; www.castingforrecovery.org
Journey Forward: www.journeyforward.org
Lance Armstrong Foundation: www.livestrong.org
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: www.lls.org
National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: www.canceradvocacy.org

Art Therapy

Patients at Goshen Center for Cancer Care may schedule private Art Therapy sessions at no charge with Kortnery Malone, Art Therapy Intern and student at Pratt Institute, NYC.Call 574-364-2597 to schedule a session.

Buddy Program

The Buddy program enables a newly diagnosed patient to connect with a Survivor Buddy – a former patient who has experienced similar circumstances. Often a new patient will want to talk to someone who has undergone the same type treatment that the new patient is facing. The Survivor Buddy can help by offering encouragement, support and practical tips. Buddies are trained in confidentiality issues and hold all information in confidence. If you would like to be a Buddy or be matched with a Survivor Buddy, contact the Survivor Network office at 574.364.2922 or Scarbone@IUHealth.org.

Mujeres de Esperanza: Friendship group for women conducted in Spanish, not English.

Mujeres de esperanza es un grupo de apoyo de amistades de mujeres quienes son sobrevivientes del cáncer del seno y quienes prefieren hablar el español. Las mujeres se juntan mensual en un café en Goshen para dar ánimos y apoyo a los demás. Si usted es una mujer quien habla español con un diagnosis de cáncer, usted está invitada a participar en el grupo. Por favor, marque a Ana a 574.747.4320.

Patient Supplement Fund:

Available to low income, low asset patients of IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care who are in active treatment, the supplement fund covers the cost of Naturopathic prescriptions from CCC's Naturopathic doctors. For more information and an application contact Sandra Carbone, Cancer Survivor Network Coordinator at 574.364.2922.

P.I.N.K.

Positive Influence N Knowledge is a self help friendship group of breast cancer survivor women whose primary language is English. The purpose of P.I.N.K. is to provide courage, hope and strength to other breast cancer sisters. Members meet the first Thursday of each month at various Elkhart county locations. P.I.N.K. members abide by the following statement of confidentiality: “By participating in this friendship group, we agree that what we hear at P.I.N.K., when we leave here, that it will stay here.” To join the group, contact the Survivor Network office at 574.364.2922 or SCarbone@IUHealth.org.

Self help friendship groups

The self help friendship groups of the Goshen Cancer Survivor Network are organized and conducted by Network members. They are NOT professionally led support groups. Each group is a voluntary association of people who share a common condition and want to support and encourage one another.

If you would like to start a new friendship group, contact the Survivor Network Coordinator at 574.364.2922 or SCarbone@IUHealth.org. The coordinator will arrange to meet with you to provide guidelines and organizational ideas for your new group.

Community Resources

ACS Free Wigs

The American Cancer Society has wig banks across the United States. Located in local beauty salons, these banks offer free wigs and styling services to women who lose their hair due to cancer related treatment. To find a wig bank near you, call ACS at 1-877-499-4673. Free wigs are also available at Look Good - Feel Better classes held at local hospitals and cancer centers. Attendees receive a free supply of beauty products, customized to their skin tone. Licensed cosmetologists are present for each class. Feb. 13 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon will be the next session at Goshen Hospital in the Heritage Room. Call 1-877-499-4673 to register or locate a class near you.

CARE House

The Marian Hoogenboom CARE House is a four unit residential facility for patients of IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care who need over night accommodations due to distance travel for cancer treatment. CARE House is adjacent to Goshen Hospital but independently operated by a local not-for-profit organization. There is no charge for the use of the CARE house, but a $30 donation for cleaning cost is suggested. Each family decides what they are able to contribute for their stay. Each unit has a private bedroom with bath, complete with linens and towels. A large fully equipped kitchen, living room, laundry room, wireless internet access and 3 – season room is available for all the units. If you need accommodations at the CARE House please contact us at 1-866-775-4673, extension 2922 or 574-364-2922.

Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana

This organization serves people with cancer in Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties. They provide both practical resources and emotional support including home health equipment and supplies, nutritional supplements, wigs, financial and transportation assistance, personal advocacy and support groups. Contact them at 6316 Mutual Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825. Phone: 260.484.9560 or toll free at 866.484.9560. www.cancer-services.org

River Bend Cancer Services

RiverBend Cancer Services is a local agency, whose primary goal is to assist people with cancer and their caregivers in the St. Joseph County, Indiana area. RBCS provides education, financial and prescription drug assistance, medical equipment loan, nutritional supplements, wigs, prostheses, advocacy services, counseling and support groups. Located at 919 E. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 401, South Bend. Contact them at 574.287.4197.

Cleaning for a Reason

Making a difference one home at a time, Cleaning for a Reason Foundation connects women with cancer to residential cleaning services to help women maintain their home while undergoing cancer treatment. Contact them at 1.877.337.3348 or www.cleaningforareason.org. Hundreds of residential cleaning service companies all over the United States and Canada have committed to provide free cleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatment.

United Cancer Services

This organization serves local residents of Elkhart County. Located at 23971 US Highway 33, Elkhart, they provide limited financial assistance for the first year of cancer treatment. Contact UCS at 574.875.5158.

Wheelchair Help

Wheelchair Help will loan wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and other equipment to cancer patients. Located at 1201 Richmond Street, Elkhart, they help cancer patients within a 50 mile radius of Elkhart. Contact them at 574.295.2230 or toll free at 888.695.2230. Web site is www.wheelchairhelp.org. Email JoeLidy@wheelchairhelp.org.

National Programs

These organizations offer detailed information and often help with insurance costs, co-pays or prescriptions.

Patient Advocate Foundation – www.patientadvocate.org provides financial assistance for crones disease, ITP, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis pain, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, sarcoma, lymphoma, malignant brain tumors, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome and other pre-leukemia diseases. Also assists patients with secondary issues related to chemotherapy. Eligibility is not income dependent, but based on a financial assessment of the amount of income going towards medical bills. Call 1.866.512.3861 or email pap@patientadvocate.org.

Patient Services Inc. – www.uneedpsi.org is a non-profit, charitable organization providing assistance with the cost of health insurance premiums associated with cobra, prescriptions, co-payments with private insurance and Medicare. Includes patients with bone metastases, chronic myeloid leukemia, cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, cystic fibrosis, GI stromal tumor, hemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, primary immune deficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, and Von Willebrand disease. Call: 1.800.366.7741.

Cancer Care – www.cancercare.org provides information and resources for patients with all cancer types including; bladder, bone, brain tumors, breast carcinoid, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, eye, head and neck, kidney, leukemia, liver, lung,, lymphoma, melanoma, multiple myeloma, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, sarcoma, skin cancers, non-melanoma, stomach, testicular, thyroid, uterine, vaginal, and other cancers. Some programs for all cancers as well. Call: 1.800.813.4673.

Patient Access Network Foundation – www.patientaccessnetwork..org provides information for anemia, colorectal cancer, cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non small cell cancer, pancreatic cancer and oncology cytoprotection, Cystic Fibrosis, kidney transplant immunosuppressant, RSV, rheumatoid arthritis, chemo induced nausea, secondary issues as a result of cancer treatment and symptom management. Call: 1.866.316.7263.

Health Well Foundation – www.healthwellfoundation.org provides information about chemotherapy induced anemia and neutropenia, colorectal carcinoma, cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, head and neck cancers, Hodgkin’s disease, immunosuppressive therapy, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-small cell lung cancer, breast caner, carcinoid tumors, ITP, secondary hyper-parathyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and wilm’s tumor. Call: 1.800.675.8416.

Chronic Disease Fund, Inc. - www.cdfund.org provides information about breast cancer, colorectal caner, MDS, multiple myeloma, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Call: 1.877.968.7233.

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) - www.rarediseases.org provides information about rare cancers and other disorders including bladder cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphomas, hepatocellular carcinoma, multiple myeloma, advanced renal cell carcinoma, acute promyelotic leukemia and nephrotic syndrome. Call: 1.203.744.0100.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - www.lls.org provides information for patients with myeloma, lymphoma, CLL , CML, ALL and AML. Conducts community information seminars and also offers $100 annual financial assistance per patient with minimal application. Contact the Survivor Network office at 574,535,2922 for an application. The Co-Pay Assistance Program provides up to five thousand dollars to assist with co pay costs and heath insurance premiums. Patient must meet income and other guidelines. Call 1.877.557.2672 for more information. In the state of Indiana call 1.317.726.2270 or toll free call 1.800.846.7764.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance can direct you to one of four patient assistance programs for prescription assistance and co-pay assistance 1.888.477.2669 or www.pparx.org.

National Bone Marrow Donor Program - www.marrow.org provides information about financial assistance to help cover the cost of bone marrow or cord blood transplants.

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance is a resource for patients and their families who are looking for information about mesothelioma. Website is http://www.mesothelioma.com/

Plural Mesothelioma - http://www.pleuralmesothelioma.com provides current data on all topics relating to pleural mesothelioma cancer. We are dedicated to compiling the latest and most up-to-date information on pleural mesothelioma and offer a number of resources to those coping with the pulmonary cancer. From treatment options to top doctors and the best cancer centers in the United States, PleuralMesothelioma.com is a one-stop resource for pleural mesothelioma patients and their families.