For U.S. Residents Only

Support Groups

You don’t have to face lung cancer alone. There are many sources of support for you, your family, and your caregivers. In addition to participating in local support groups, you can tap into the Internet any time of the day or night. The Internet can provide information, communication, and emotional support to help you get through it.

The following organizations and Web sites may offer the support you need or may connect you with support groups in your area:
  • Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, and Education (ALCASE)
    500 W. 8th Street, Suite 240
    Vancouver, WA 98660
    1-800-298-2436 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PT)
    http://www.alcase.org
    A nonprofit organization devoted solely to supporting and improving the quality of lives of people with lung cancer. Offers a phone buddy program for patient-to-patient support and a geographic listing of in-person lung cancer support groups.

  • Lung Cancer Online
    http://www.lungcanceronline.org
    A gateway to lung cancer resources for the benefit of people with lung cancer and their families that is intended to facilitate the time-consuming and often frustrating process of learning about lung cancer, treatment options, and support services.

  • The Cancer Supportive Care Program
    1708B MLK, Jr Way
    Berkeley, CA 94709
    1-510-649-8177
    http://www.cancersupportivecare.com
    Provides information on various topics, including anemia, nutrition, fatigue, and pain control.

  • Gilda's Club Worldwide
    322 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1402
    New York, NY 10001
    1-888-GILDA-4U (1-888-445-3248)
    http://gildasclub.org
    Provides emotional and social support for cancer patients, caregivers, and families. Children’s support programs, networking groups, workshops, and lectures also are available through this Web site.

  • Vital Options International, Inc.
    15821 Ventura Blvd., Suite 645
    Encino, CA 91436-2946
    1-818-788-5225
    http://www.vitaloptions.org
    Offers psychological and social support for patients and families by using communications technology. This nonprofit organization holds The Group Room, a nationally syndicated call-in radio show each week that is simulcast live on the Web. Through this broadcast, which is hosted by therapists and physicians, callers can be linked with other patients, survivors, and family members to talk about various cancer issues.

  • The Wellness Community
    919 18th Street, NW, Suite 54
    Washington, DC 20006
    1-888-793-WELL
    http://www.wellnesscommunity.org
    Offers education and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. The program includes support groups, stress-reduction techniques, cancer education workshops, exercise tips, and social events.
If you are not the kind of person who likes to join groups, or if your cancer therapy and side effects are keeping you close to home, a modern alternative is available—a virtual group. There are now many online forums in which you can "chat" with other people who have lung cancer. Here are a few Web sites to get you started:

http://www.oncochat.org is hosted by the Association of Cancer Online Resources Inc. (ACOR) and provides online peer support for cancer survivors, families, and friends.

http://www.cancer-info.com is hosted by Cancer Information & Support International and provides cancer chat and disease and treatment information.

http://www.sharedexperience.org provides links to online cancer chat rooms.

http://www.cancerpage.com offers cancer-specific chat groups through the Cancer Page Chat Room.

http://www.lungcancersurvivors.org is a Web site maintained by Lung Cancer Survivors for Change (LCSC), a group of lung cancer survivors who are leading full, productive lives and want to make a difference in the fight against the disease.

http://www.acor.org offers information and support through the Association of Cancer Online Resources integrated system of online discussion groups and also hosts a growing number of Web sites created by patients for patients and caregivers, cancer advocacy organizations, and professional organizations.