Cancer Nonprofits & Advocacy Organizations

These organizations offer services and resources, community and support groups, opportunities to share your story, and ways to work with others to make a difference. This list is not exhaustive and is best used as a starting point—we recommend asking your treatment team about other resources, services, and support groups local to your area.

• University of California - San Francisco (UCSF) provides a variety of support services for patients, survivors, and caregivers, including the Sheri Sobrato Brisson Program for brain cancer survivors focused on cognitive rehabilitation and improving quality of life.

• Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General or MGH) provides a variety of education and support resources to help patients and families throughout the cancer experience.

• Imerman Angels pairs mentors with mentees to provide one-on-one support for cancer fighters and caregivers.

• American Brain Tumor Association provides support services and programs to brain tumor patients and their families.

• National Brain Tumor Society invests in, mobilizes, and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and care partners. 

• Stupid Cancer empowers young adults affected by cancer by ending isolation and building community.

Publications: all subscriptions are available for free

• Brain & Life Magazine, published by the American Academy of Neurology, covers topics unique to the experiences of neurology patients and their caregivers. Its Pictures of You series features conversations with patients and survivors like this one.

• Cancer Today Magazine, published by the American Association for Cancer Research, offers information and inspiration to patients, survivors, and caregivers navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Its Survivor Profiles highlight patient and survivor stories of strength, resilience, and inspiration.

Books

AfterShock: What to Do When the Doctor Gives You–Or Someone You Love–a Devastating Diagnosis by Jessie Gruman was one of the first books Susan read after getting her diagnosis, and it's practical, step-by-step advice was extremely beneficial.

Life’s Mountains by Cheryl Broyles is an inspiring memoir about an incredible woman’s journey surviving glioblastoma for more than two decades—never losing hope, or losing sight of her gratitude for family and passion for the great outdoors.

Still Here by Ram Dass showed Susan how to diminish suffering despite the aches, pains, and limitations of age—and how to embrace change and my own mortality.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, a powerful autobiography by a neurosurgeon battling metastatic lung cancer.

Gratitude by Oliver Sacks is a mini-memoir of four essays by the famous neurologist, penned during his final months battling uveal melanoma, about what it means to live a good life. (also recommended as an audiobook)

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (with Jeffrey Zaslow), about “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” the last lecture given by a Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor battling pancreatic cancer. 

What Helped Get Me Through: Cancer Survivors Share Wisdom and Hope by Julie K. Silver, a compilation of personal quotes and stories thoughtfully curated by a breast cancer survivor to share the practical and sensitive experiences of hundreds of cancer survivors—and what helped them get through every aspect of the journey. 

Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know by Lori Hope shares the results of the author’s survey about what cancer survivors want their families, friends, and caregivers to understand, complemented by compelling personal stories from survivors of diverse ages and backgrounds.

Cancer Vixen: A True Story by Marisa Acocella Marchetto, a graphic memoir by a breast cancer survivor about her journey through diagnosis and treatment.

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee, an oncologist’s humane “biography” of cancer—from its first documented appearances thousands of years ago through the epic battles in the twentieth century to cure, control, and conquer it. (also recommended as an audiobook)

Yale Cancer Center has also curated a list of children’s books to help families and kids of all ages cope with the cancer diagnosis and treatment of a loved one. 

Podcasts

• Cancer Survivor Guide Podcast interviews oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and survivors to offer guidance and support through cancer treatment, including what to expect and what comes next.

• Cancer Out Loud: The CancerCare Podcast presents conversations with people living with cancer, caregivers, survivors, loved ones, and the bereaved.

• Thanks, Cancer! features two friends sharing stories and ideas about cancer, covering topics ranging from treatment souvenirs to “chemo brain,” coronavirus, and more. 

• You Survived. Now What? uses an interview format to share stories of survival of all kinds, including cancer, and what comes next. 

Movies

My Life, Interrupted, a comical, poignant documentary about how one  woman navigates life after a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. 

Fierce Grace, an extraordinary documentary about the life and teachings of Ram Das, focused on his recovery from a severe stroke. 

You Don't Have to Die, an Academy Award-winning short documentary about a young boy's successful battle with cancer. 

Music

Each of the following songs has a connection to cancer—be it the subject matter of the song, the inspiration, or the personal stories of the people behind it. This list is intended to serve as a springboard for discovery, not a prescription for artistic taste.

Uplifting Songs

• Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”


• Black Panther Soundtrack 


• Lupe Fiasco, “Mission”

• India.Arie, "I Am Not My Hair"

• Melissa Etheridge, “I Run for Life”


• Sheryl Crow, “Everyday Is A Winding Road”


• Kylie Minogue, “I Believe In You”


• Van Halen, “Jump”



Raw Songs


• Jonathan Emile, “Keep On Fighting”


• Bob Marley. “Redemption Song”


• The Beatles, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”


• Matchbox 20, “3 AM”


• Smashing Pumpkins, “For Martha”


• David Bowie, “Blackstar”


• My Chemical Romance, “Cancer”