Programs for Young Adults at Dana-Farber
The Young Adult Program (YAP)
Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center
Young and Strong Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Neuro-Oncology Program
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Sarcoma Program
Just for Teens
Centers and Clinics at Dana-Farber
Adult Social Work Program
Jimmy Fund Clinic
Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living
Resources at Dana-Farber
For Individual Supportive Services, please email yap@dfci.harvard.edu to connect with a clinician to support you from a psychosocial perspective while undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber.
MyZakim is an online platform where Dana-Farber patients can access live and on-demand wellness classes developed by the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living. The Zakim Center is dedicated to the belief that patients can enhance their quality of life through integrative therapies and healthy living programs in exercise, expressive arts, meditation, and nutrition.
Dana-Farber's Sexual Health Program is committed to addressing patients' concerns about sexual health as an integral part of their care, from diagnosis and treatment through survivorship. The program provides education, consultation, and personalized rehabilitation counseling for patients and their partners who have experienced changes in sexual health during and after cancer treatment.
The Neuro-Inclusive Oncology Care and Empowerment Program provides psychosocial support to people who have developmental disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and/or an intellectual disability.
One-to-One is an over-the phone peer support program in which patients and caregivers are connected to someone who has "been there." One-to-One trained volunteers provide mentorship over 1-2 phone calls and help answer any questions from people looking for support. Often, support seekers are looking to connect with someone about disease, treatment, lifestyle, workplace issues, etc. You can also apply to be a mentor.
The Blum Patient and Family Resource Center, located on the first floor of the Yawkey building, is a respite space for patients and families to have a comfortable place to unwind or visit if you are seeking information on resources. They also have a digital resource center, which is an online extension of the information and brochures that you would find visiting in-person and where you can find guidance on different disease types, treatments, Dana-Farber resources, and more.
Friends' Place offers tools to reclaim changes to physical appearance as a result of cancer treatment. This unique store offers wigs, hats, head scarves, and more. Friends' Place is located on the first floor of the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. In addition to a physical store, their online boutique sells a range of specialty products, including wigs, head coverings, skincare items, books, and gifts. Friends' Place also offers personalized consultation for any patient who experiences permanent or temporary changes following cancer treatment.
The Patient Financial Assistance program helps patients who don't have the ability to pay for their health care. Learn about our availability of financial counseling, payment plans, and financial assistance.
The Financial Coaching Program provides free assistance on how to manage finances during cancer treatment.
Financial Counseling is available to assist Dana-Farber patients with insurance coverage questions, deposits, price estimates, and MassHealth applications.
Patient Assistance Funds are used to help ease the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis. These funds are available based on financial need. To learn more, call 617-632-3301.
Resources Outside of Dana-Farber
Young Adult Social Support Resources
Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT at Gilda's Club provides free support to anyone impacted by cancer.
The Cactus Cancer Society is an online organization that offers a variety of supportive programs and resources solely for young adults. Examples of programs include a creative writing workshop, book club, and opportunities to connect with other young adults virtually.
Elephants and Tea is a media organization with the mission of connecting young adults across the country via blogs, writing, and other forms of self-expression.
Imerman Angels provides free one-on-one mentorship for patients with cancer and their caregivers.
Stupid Cancer provides various young adult programs, resources, and information.
13thirty helps teens and young adults with cancer with their unique challenges by providing resources, support, and public advocacy.
Support Groups for Early Adulthood Cancer
The CancerCare Young Adults With Cancer Support Group provides a safe space to connect with other young adults coping with cancer.
The Dempsey Center offers free personalized care through counseling, support groups, nutrition, integrative therapies, movement and fitness, and more.
Care Planning, Coordination, and Communication Resources
CaringBridge offers tools to share and document a health experience, simplify care coordination, and connect caregivers with a supportive community.
The Livestrong Foundation provides cancer support services and community programs that address various needs of those diagnosed with cancer.
CancerCare Resources provide ways to improve communication with your health care team.
Community Servings provides medically tailored, nutritious, scratch-made meals to chronically and critically ill individuals and their families in Massachusetts.
Lotsa Helping Hands is a caregiving coordination service that helps family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to assist with daily tasks.
Care Planning for Advancing Cancer
Five Wishes is an advance care planning resource that offers an approach for adults to express wishes regarding medical treatment, comfort, and end-of-life care.
National Cancer Institute: Choices for Care with Advanced Cancer provides resources and tools for making choices for cancer care when treatment may not be an option.
National Cancer Institute: Planning the Transition to End-of-Life Care provides resources and tools for planning the transition to end-of-life care in advanced cancer.
Children's Cancer Research Fund is a national nonprofit that supports research dedicated to ending childhood cancer.
Advocacy & Empowerment Resources
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): Patient Advocacy offers programs and opportunities for advocates who would like to get involved in their society and participate in meetings.
Cancer Nation advocates for quality cancer care for all people affected by cancer.
Susan G. Komen advocates for critical needs in the breast cancer community and invests in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) supports young adults diagnosed with breast cancer by providing resources, community, and advocacy.
Colorectal Cancer Alliance is a nonprofit organization that focuses on advocating for cancer prevention, providing support, and accelerating research.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network provides support, resources, volunteer opportunities, and hope for people with pancreatic cancer.
Resources Related to School and Work
Cancer and Careers provides free publications, career coaching, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer and their health care providers and co-workers.
Cancer for College provides college scholarships, medical debt relief, and educational experiences for cancer survivors.
Triage Cancer provides education on the practical and legal issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers through events, materials, and resources.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a professional organization of oncology professionals. ASCO is a hub for clinical oncology research and educational resources.
Finaid provides information about scholarships for patients with cancer.
The Ruth Cheatham Foundation provides scholarships to teens impacted by cancer.
The National GRACE Foundation offers free college admission and financial aid counseling.
The Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship awards secondary education scholarships to students who have been affected by leukemia and lymphoma.
The American Childhood Cancer Organization provides support, information, and advocacy for children with cancer, their families, and adult survivors.
Financial Resources
The Ulman Foundation provides general information for young adults with cancer.
The SAMFund, in collaboration with the Expect Miracles Foundation, provides critical financial resources to young adult cancer survivors twice a year through grants in two categories: Financial Assistance Grants and Family Building Grants. These grants are available in cycles.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers financial assistance programs to help people with blood cancer.
Family Reach provides financial support for families facing cancer. They help people with cancer afford everyday needs like food and housing during treatment.
CancerCare's Financial Assistance Program offers limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs such as transportation and childcare.
The FLY Foundation provides support to young adults ages 19-39 who are diagnosed with cancer. Funds may reimburse recipients for co-insurance, co-pays, and living expenses – including rent/mortgage payment and utilities – during treatment.
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation provides financial assistance to patients with a cancer diagnosis.
The Patient Advocate Foundation provides case management services and financial aid to individuals with chronic illnesses.
The Allyson Whitney Foundation focuses on awareness for young adults with rare cancers and helps with overcoming challenges such as financial hardship and health issues.
The American Cancer Society has patient programs and services for during and after cancer treatment, such as assistance with lodging and transportation.
National Cancer Institute: Managing Cancer Costs and Medical Information has resources to assist with the costs related to cancer treatment.
The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition helps people with a cancer diagnosis manage their financial challenges.
Dollar For helps with applications for financial assistance from hospitals.
FindHelp is a web portal that can help in searching for free or reduced-cost local resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
Fertility Resources
Livestrong Fertility is a comprehensive fertility preservation resource for patients.
SaveMyFertility is a resource for adult patients with cancer who want to learn more about preserving their fertility during and after their cancer experience.
The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation supports families experiencing infertility through grants, education, and support.
Team Maggie's Dream provides financial support for fertility preservation.
The Alliance for Fertility Preservation aims to increase information, resources, and access to fertility preservation for patients with cancer and healthcare professionals.
Resolve provides access to care, support, community, and education related to infertility and family building.
Verna's Purse is a fertility preservation financial assistance program for patients facing economic challenges.
Worth the Wait provides financial support and educational resources to young adult cancer survivors for fertility treatments, adoption, and surrogacy.
Resources to Help with Physical Changes
Teenage Cancer Trust shares a patient story about navigating the feeling of an identity change after hair loss.
Verma Foundation: Free Wig Caps provides free human hair cap wigs to patients with cancer in financial need.
Hope Scarves supports people facing all types of cancer through stories, research, and free scarves.
EBeauty Community provides free wigs for women undergoing treatment for cancer.
Heavenly Hats collects and distributes brand new hats to people of all ages who lose their hair due to cancer treatment.
Look Good Feel Better is a support program that is dedicated to restoring confidence and self-esteem of people during cancer treatment.
Wigs & Wishes is a network of salon owners, stylists, and beauty industry experts who provide wigs at no cost to women with cancer.
Chemocessories puts together sets of scarves, turbans, and jewelry and donates them to women going through cancer treatment.
Wish-Granting Resources for Young Adults
The Dear Jack Foundation — Life List Program is a wish-granting program for adolescent and young adult patients who are currently receiving treatment for cancer diagnoses. The program gives patients positive experiences to focus on during treatment and provides the opportunity to connect with a community.
The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation is a wish-granting program to enrich the lives of young adults with cancer who are between ages 18-24 and their families.
Rosemary's Wish Kids grants wishes to children and young adults ages 3-21 who medically qualify with a life-threatening illness living in Rhode Island and southeastern areas of Massachusetts.
Jamie's Dream Team provides assistance to qualifying individuals who are diagnosed with a serious medical condition.
Cherished Creations is committed to fulfilling the wishes of children with serious illnesses up through the age of 21.
Do It For The Love inspires hope and healing through the power of music by supporting clinical and community-based music therapy and evidence-based research, and by providing live music experiences.
The Granted Wish Foundation enriches the lives of physically challenged children and young adults up to age 25 by granting sports and celebrity athlete wishes.
Retreats and Adventure Opportunities
Camp Mak-A-Dream empowers survivors and their families to live with and beyond cancer through life-changing Montana experiences, where they strengthen life skills, gain resilience, and develop lasting relationships.
Dear Jack Foundation Breathe Now Wellness Retreats (for couples) are open to young adult patients with cancer who are 1-3 years out from their last date of treatment and their partners. This thoughtfully designed four-day retreat program harnesses the transformational powers of yoga, meditation, and psychosocial breakout sessions. The retreats are professionally guided and designed to help each couple renew, learn, and grow as they live their lives together post-cancer.
The Dream Street Foundation provides camping programs for children and young adults (ages 18-24) with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
First Descents offers free and fun outdoor adventure experiences throughout the country to young adults with cancer.
Epic Experience provides free week-long adventure camps for people at any point of their cancer experience, on treatment or post-treatment.
For Pete's Sake (ages 24-55) provides adult patients with cancer, their caregivers, and their children with a break from cancer.
Next Step hosts "Campferences" and other workshops for young adults ages 16-24 living with cancer.
Sail Beyond Cancer provides a rejuvenating day at sea for patients and caregivers who are navigating significant medical diagnoses like cancer.
The Send It Foundation provides outdoor adventures for young adults living with cancer.
True North Treks empowers young adults and caregivers affected by cancer to "find direction through connection" via free group backpacking and canoeing treks in beautiful and remote wilderness destinations.
Haymakers for Hope is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for cancer research, care, awareness, and survivorship through competitive challenges such as boxing.
Integrative Medicine Resources
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden is a support community whose mission is to optimize the quality of life for adults affected by cancer in Massachusetts.
Livestrong at the YMCA is a 12-week physical activity program designed to help adult cancer survivors regain strength through exercise.
Insomnia Resources
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute advances heart, lung, blood, and sleep research and innovation.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advances sleep care and enhances sleep health.
The National Sleep Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being by advancing sleep health.
Bone Marrow Transplant Resources
BMT InfoNet offers support for what to expect before, during, and after a bone marrow stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy treatment.
Resources for Black, Indigenous, or Young Adults of Color With Cancer
For the Breast of Us is a breast cancer community for women of color. Its mission is to uplift women of color affected by breast cancer by sharing stories, education, advocacy, and community.
Melanin and Mental Health connects Black and Latinx people to mental health resources.
The Safe Place is a free smartphone app geared toward the Black community that focuses on psychoeducation and self-care for mental health.
The YASU Young Adult African-American Cancer Support Group meets on the second Monday of every month from 6-7:30 p.m. ET.
Resources for LGBTQIA+ Young Adults With Cancer
Fenway Health is a community health center located in Boston that provides education, training, and resources for LGBTQ+ community members and health care providers.
The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors and those at risk by educating the community about increased cancer risks, training health care providers, and advocating for LGBTQ+ survivors.
YASU LGBTQ+ Support Group: F*** Cancer and Young Adult Survivors United have teamed up to offer this support group for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and are in treatment or post-treatment for cancer. To register for the support group, please complete this form.
Resources For Young Adult Cancer Survivors
The American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors' Network has at least two relevant chat rooms: adult survivors of childhood cancer and young cancer survivors.
Parenting Support
The Bright Spot Network provides young adults with cancer who are parents of small children with a safe space for individual and familial healing, recovery, and reconnection.
Pickles Group provides free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian's cancer.
Wonders & Worries provides free support for children and teenagers through a parent's serious illness or injury so they can reach their full potential.
Kesem provides free summer camps, day programs, and virtual meet-ups for youth and adolescents facing a parent's cancer to connect with peers, process their experiences, and have fun.
The Children's Treehouse Foundation is committed to ensuring that every child and teen whose parent is diagnosed with cancer is given tools and emotional support to develop positive coping strategies.
Help with Hope supports children whose parents have been affected by cancer.
Caregiver Support
Imerman Angels provides free, personalized one-on-one mentorship for patients on and off treatment and their caregivers.
Cancer Lifeline provides free educational presentations, experiential classes, financial assistance, emotional support, and other services to help those impacted by cancer. Cancer Lifeline offers support groups for young adults (ages 20-40) living with or supporting a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Support Community Massachusetts provides support, education, and hope to cancer patients, caregivers, and loved ones.
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden is a support community whose mission is to optimize the quality of life for adults in Massachusetts who are affected by cancer.
Cancer Connection provides a community cancer support center serving patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Caregiver Action Network is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.
The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare works to support caregivers, health care leaders, and others through innovative programs, education, and advocacy.
Triage Cancer provides education on the practical and legal issues that may impact patients diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, through events, materials, and resources. Their website has a section for caregiver resources.