Patient and Caregiver Peer Support/Mentoring Programs
Connecting with another patient (peer) or caregiver who is experiencing the same cancer diagnosis can provide a great deal of support and connection. The websites listed below offer peer connection/mentoring programs for cancer patients and caregivers. Some treatment centers have their own peer/buddy programs available. Ask your social worker or navigator for a referral. Volunteering for a peer connection/mentoring/buddy program is also a great way for survivors to give back.
All Cancer Types
Imerman Angels
Provides one-on-one peer support among cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers.
4th Angel
Matches patients and caregivers with trained volunteer mentors.
Cancer Hope Network
Provides one-on-one support to people undergoing treatment for cancer and to their families through training individuals who have recovered from cancer and matching them with cancer patients currently undergoing a similar experience
http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/
Friend 4 Life
To help persons recently diagnosed with cancer and their care partners navigate the path through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery by pairing them with a trained survivor of a similar experience.
Cancer-Type Specific
Blood Cancers-Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, MDS
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program
https://www.lls.org/support/peer-to-peer-support
Breast Cancer
ACS Reach to Recovery
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/reach-to-recovery.html
Living Beyond Breast Cancer Helpline
Young Survival Coalition Peer Mentoring
https://www.youngsurvival.org/talk-one-on-one
Pink Lotus Breast Buddies
https://pinklotus.com/powerup/breastbuddies/
Sharsheret Peer Support Network (BRCA+)
https://sharsheret.org/what-we-do/peer-support/
Lung Cancer
Go2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Phone Buddy Program
https://go2foundation.org/resources-and-support/emotional-support/phone-buddy/
Lungevity LifeLine Support Partners
https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/support-services/peer-to-peer-mentoring
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer Alliance Buddy Program
https://www.ccalliance.org/patient-family-support/buddy-program
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Woman to Woman (W2W) Program
https://ocrahope.org/patients/peer-support-woman-to-woman/
Sharsheret Peer Support Network (BRCA+)
https://sharsheret.org/what-we-do/peer-support/
Prostate Cancer
ZeroCancer MENtor Program
https://zerocancer.org/get-support/mentor/
Head and Neck Cancer
SPOHNC National Survivor Volunteer Network
https://www.spohnc.org/supportive-care/
Pancreatic Cancer
PanCan Survivor/Caregiver Network
https://www.pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/patient-services/survivor-and-caregiver-network/
Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation
https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/online-support
Testicular Cancer Society
1-on-1 Navigation and Support Program
https://testicularcancersociety.org/pages/support-for-fighters
Brain Tumors
American Brain Tumor Association
https://www.abta.org/about-brain-tumors/social-emotional-support/
Melanoma
AIM at Melanoma Foundation Peer Connect Program
https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/support-resources/connect-with-a-peer/
Bladder Cancer
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Survivor to Survivor Program
https://bcan.org/survivor-to-survivor/
Adolescents/Young Adults
Stupid Cancer (Digital) Meet-Ups
Offers space to connect with AYA peers coping with cancer.