One on One Connections
Hearing the words, “you have cancer” is devastating, and even though many people receive love and support from friends and family during this time, sometimes you just need to talk to someone who’s “been there.” One-on-one support groups can offer personalized support from a professional social worker, trained cancer survivor, or healthcare professional.
The list below offers information and links to many organizations that offer “buddy programs” that match you with a survivor of the same type of cancer who has faced the same issues you are facing.
Cancer Hope Network
The network has been providing one-on-one peer support for cancer patients and their loved ones for 40 years. With nearly 500 trained survivor and caregiver volunteers who’ve faced more than 80 types and sub types of cancer, they provide connection and hope. Matches – the connection between a client and a volunteer – are based on a shared diagnosis, similar treatments or shared life experiences. Their Programs Team is made up of social work and healthcare professionals who follow each match from beginning to end, providing oversight, resources, and support through the duration of each connection.
Chemo Angels
The Chemo Angels program offers support to those facing a cancer diagnosis and undergoing IV chemo treatment. The angel volunteers support their “buddy” throughout their journey with weekly cards and uplifting messages to aid in the road to recovery.
Colorectal Cancer Alliance Buddy Program
This group matches a survivor with a person with colorectal cancer. In addition to receiving emotional support, people with cancer learn about treatment, side effects, and other important issues. The program’s certified Patient & Family Support Navigators connect you with a vetted Buddy who has been through a similar diagnosis to offer meaningful and useful advice that helped them get through colorectal cancer.
Imerman Angels
Imerman Angels’ mission is to provide comfort and understanding for all cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers through a personalized, one-on-one connection with someone who has been there. This group matches a person with cancer with a “Mentor Angel” who is someone who has completed treatment for the same type of cancer and is walking, talking, living proof, and inspiration that cancer can be beaten. The program also matches caregivers and is free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world.
Lung Cancer Alliance Phone Buddy Program
This program matches people living with lung cancer with volunteers who have completed or are going through lung cancer treatment. Caregivers and family members also can be matched with a buddy who is coping with a similar situation.
National Cancer Information Center
A program of the American Cancer Society that provides information and support to those facing cancer 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Trained cancer information specialists are available via one-on-one phone, live chat, and video chat, providing accurate, up to date cancer information to patients, family members, and caregivers and connecting them with valuable services and resources in their communities.
