Community & advocacy

CancerCare

National nonprofit where oncology social workers offer free support: a phone Hopeline, online support groups, education workshops, resource navigation and limited financial assistance when funding allows.

Kevin WimerSources checked Oct 24, 2026
Cost
Free services (checked October 24, 2026).[4][3]
Hopeline
800-813-4673, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.[1]
Online groups
Open to anyone in the U.S. and territories.[2]
Counseling area
Individual counseling for New York and New Jersey residents.[1]
Financial aid
First come, first served; depends on funding.[4]
Lung workshops
NSCLC biomarker testing (Nov 3, 2026); small cell lung cancer (Nov 10, 2026).[3]

CancerCare is a nonprofit staffed by licensed oncology social workers. It helps people with cancer, caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved with the emotional and practical side of cancer. It covers more than 150 diagnoses and topics, and its services are free.

What they offer

  • The Hopeline, where you can talk with an oncology social worker by phone.
  • Online support groups on a password-protected message board, led by oncology social workers and open to anyone in the U.S. and its territories. Groups include general, metastatic and young adult patient groups, caregiver groups and bereavement groups.
  • For lung cancer: an online lung cancer patient support group, a caregiver group, and Connect Education Workshops such as "Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Biomarker Testing Treatment Trends" on November 3, 2026 and "Living with Small Cell Lung Cancer" on November 10, 2026.
  • Resource navigation and a searchable database of financial and practical help.
  • A Financial Assistance Program for some costs such as transportation, home care and child care, when funds are available.

How to start and what it costs

Call the Hopeline to speak with a social worker; it also tells you which financial programs are open for you. Services are free. Individual counseling and live groups are for New York and New Jersey residents. Financial aid is first come, first served and depends on current funding (checked October 24, 2026).

How it fits with other groups here

CancerCare is a good first call for emotional support or when you do not know where to start. For insurance and copay problems, see Patient Advocate Foundation. For lung cancer peer communities, see LUNGevity and my find support guide.

Questions I would ask

  • Which support group fits me or my caregiver right now?
  • Which financial assistance programs are open for my situation today?
  • Can you point me to help with travel or child care during treatment?
  • Are there upcoming workshops on my cancer type?

Contacts

Services & community focus

Nonprofit

Connect with peersPatient educationPeople with any type of cancerCaregiversBereaved loved ones
Call the Hopeline or browse servicesVisit website

Related guides & organizations