So That No One Faces Cancer Alone.
The Cancer Support Community is here to help you by offering free navigation for cancer patients or their loved ones by phone and online.
The Cancer Support Helpline is staffed by community navigators, resource specialists and specialized navigators who have over 170 years of combined experience helping people affected by cancer. The Helpline provides guidance, resources and support to cancer patients or their loved ones with a variety of needs—from getting information about cancer, identifying a local support group or just finding someone who is willing to listen. We speak your language! We provide help with coping in over 200 languages.
Cancer Support Helpline services include:
- Connecting callers to local or national resources, including support groups, transportation services and other programs
- Short-term cancer coping assistance
- Short-term housing resources
- Treatment decision planning
- Financial navigation regarding the costs of cancer and its treatments
- Specialized information and navigation in pediatric oncology, finances, clinical trials, and genetics/genomics
- Access to an online distress screening program, CancerSupportSource®
- General information about the Cancer Support Community
"In 2016, I had stage one colon cancer as well as a GIST tumor, stage two, in my stomach. Several weeks ago, I was going to have an endoscopy as well as a colonoscopy. I was quite concerned, very anxiety filled, and to say the least, I could not sleep. Then I called the American Cancer Society's hotline, and they gave me the telephone number of the Cancer Support Community. I would like to thank the two wonderful women (one named Anita) who helped me with my anxiety. After assuring me that it was normal to be worried about the procedure, I practiced breathing exercises, went back to the gym, and drank plenty of water. My colonoscopy and endoscopy went well, and I was told I am cancer free. I thank you, as does my wife."
Merritt, Helpline Caller
"Anita is so knowledgeable, caring and compassionate. She was just the person I needed, and I am thankful for her helping me today."
Helpline Caller
Live Web Chat
Do you need someone to talk with about your cancer experience? Are you feeling overwhelmed with questions about how to cope with your cancer? Our Helpline staff are available via live web chat and are ready to assist you, whether you’re looking for cancer resources and information or someone to talk to about the worries that cancer sometimes brings into our lives.
Chat online with one of our Helpline staff:
Monday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. ET
Friday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. ET
Find the CHAT NOW window at the bottom of your screen.
"Thank you. I finally have hope on my horizon."
Helpline Caller
We Provide Specialized Navigation
The Cancer Support Helpline’s experienced team of professionals includes specialized navigators who are available by appointment. They are trained in assisting people in the following areas:
Clinical Trials
Our Clinical Trials Navigator serves as a resource to patients and families seeking general information about cancer clinical trials, including referrals to resources related to clinical trials. Our Clinical Trials Navigator can also offer tips on discussing clinical trials with a healthcare team and how to find a clinical trial.
Genetics/Genomics
Our Genetics/Genomics Navigator provides education and navigation for patients and families concerned about issues related to genetics/genomics and cancer, including referrals to resources.
Pediatric Oncology
Our Pediatric Oncology Navigator assists people with psychosocial issues related to pediatric and young adult cancer, including providing referrals to resources. Services also include education and navigation for families and children over the age of 18 who have been touched by childhood, adolescent, or young adult cancer.
Financial
Our Financial Navigator assists people with financial issues related to cancer, including providing referrals to resources that may help with cancer-related treatment expenses. Services also include tips on how to manage treatment-related costs, how to communicate with healthcare providers about the cost of care and payment, and understanding insurance benefits.
Peer Clinical Trials Support Program
A free, over-the-phone service that helps Black or African American (AA) cancer patients learn more about clinical trials.
Meet Our Trained Helpline Professionals
Anita

Anita began with Cancer Support Community as a program manager and Noogieland Coordinator at her local affiliate in 2002 and transitioned to the Cancer Support Helpline in 2020. Much of Anita’s career has been dedicated to helping families, children and teens whose lives have been impacted by cancer through support group facilitation, workshops, social opportunities, and specialty camps connecting youth together to share in their experiences. Over her tenure, Anita has facilitated a variety of support groups for those with a diagnosis as well as caregivers.
Anita has dedicated much of her ongoing training in mindfulness and neuroplasticity with certifications...
Brittany

Brittany recently joined the Cancer Support Community Helpline in January 2021. She is a licensed clinical social worker, starting her career as a mental health therapist and has spent the last several years of her career as an oncology social worker, providing psychosocial support and connection to resources to families through their cancer experience. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys her new found love for the Peloton, interior decorating, traveling, and spending time with her family, friends, and yellow lab.
Chinwe

Chinwe has over 8 years of experience working with individuals in various settings such as Maternal and Infant health, Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, and Child Welfare. Prior to joining the Helpline, Chinwe worked as Program Coordinator for one of CSC’s Affiliate local Programs. She discovered her passion for providing support, education, and hope to those impacted by Cancer after losing a loved one to metastatic bone cancer in 2010.
In her spare time, Chinwe works with women and children providing a host of services including lactation support, counseling, and yoga. Chinwe believes in the power of community...
Christina
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Christina is the financial navigation specialist at the Cancer Support Community Helpline. She's a licensed clinical social worker and a board-certified oncology social worker. She has been working with cancer patients and their families for over 20 years. Christina is also an instructor and field liaison at the Penn School of Social Policy and Practice and the Psychosocial Content Editor at Oncolink.org. In her spare time, Christina loves to knit and volunteer with her therapy dogs Linus, Huckleberry, and Eugene (in training). She also enjoys traveling, cooking, and cheering for her Philly sports teams.
Irma

Irma is a social worker with over 15 years of experience providing services to individuals and families in different capacities. She has been fortunate enough to have worked with individuals from many cultural and socio-economic backgrounds with challenges ranging from mental health issues, chronic medical conditions, developmental and cognitive disabilities, domestic violence, immigration issues, and families involved with the child welfare system. Currently, Irma is also a manager for a large public city agency. Her hobbies include reading, music, and spending time with friends and family. Irma lives in NYC with her teenage daughter.
Jeanette

Jeanette joined Cancer Support Community, working as a Resource Specialist on the helpline, in 2019. Her commitment to helping those affected by cancer began in 2006, when she became a licensed radiation therapist. Prior to joining CSC, Jeanette lived in England and worked as a Cancer Information and Support Specialist for a cancer charity in the UK.
"I was overwhelmed by the generosity and helpfulness of each person I spoke with — you all seem perfectly matched to your roles! Thanks for getting me (us!) started in the right direction."
Helpline Caller
Jim

Jim has been with the Helpline since its inception in 2012. After deciding to pursue clinical social work, Jim has worked in many facets of mental health. He has worked in crisis care settings in hospitals, with children in schools, with the military as a civilian readjustment counselor, and as a military and family life consultant. He has had a private practice in psychotherapy for many years and continues to be involved as a crisis response counselor. Jim, his wife, and their dog enjoy living in a small seaside community where they are active in several organizations including the Community...
Joelys

Joelys works on the Helpline as a Resource Specialist. Her passion has always been to help anyone who needs assistance and she has been helping those affected by cancer since April 2019. She graduated from LaGuardia Community College with an associate degree in Human Services - Mental Health and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in social work at York College. She is fluent in Spanish. In her time outside CSC, she enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters and her son, watching TV shows, and reading.
Karen

Karen joined CSC in November 2020. She is a navigator for the Cancer Support Helpline. Karen has been a social worker for the past 16 years and graduated from Howard University School of Social Work in Washington, D.C. She has worked in various medical and behavioral health settings addressing the needs of individuals and families coping with trauma and grief/loss concerns. She enjoys traveling, volunteering for community events, and spending time with family and friends.
Karen

Karen joined CSC in October 2019 and is the Senior Director and Patient Navigator of the Cancer Support Helpline. She has 30 years of oncology experience as a social worker and practice administrator in university health care settings as well as patient services, fundraising, and programs development in the nonprofit cancer advocacy space. At CSC Karen is a member of the Programs team and provides clinical oversight of the Cancer Support Helpline. In addition, Karen coordinates navigation services for patients and caregivers. Her special areas of interest include financial navigation, addressing barriers to care, adult learning needs, and women’s health...
Lauren

Lauren joins the Helpline as an experienced oncology social worker with special interests in integrative cancer care and oncofertility. In 2011, Lauren pursued her graduate social work degree at Bryn Mawr College after one of her mentors gifted her the book Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, which ultimately changed her life path from theater to social work. In 2019 she completed Smith College's Advanced Certificate in Palliative and End of Life Care. She also holds a degree in creative nonfiction writing. Lauren is an avid supporter of access to behavioral healthcare for patients and caregivers undergoing cancer treatments...
Lola

Lola, joined CSC as a Resource Specialist per diem on the Helpline in April 2022. She has worked as an Oncology Patient Navigator since October 2019. Lola has experience working with the American Cancer Society, The University of Maryland Medical Center, and George Washington Medical Faculty Associates. As a patient navigator she has provided emotional support and resources to help eliminate barriers to patient care. She's expressed gratitude to be able to work with Cancer patients and their families at Cancer Support Community. While not working, she enjoys spending time with family and finding new activities to do with friends.
Sabrina

Sabrina is a certified breast nurse navigator who works with both local and national cancer organizations. On the Cancer Support Helpline, she is a nurse navigator. At Gilda's Club of Metro Detroit, she is an active volunteer for their annual Bras for a Cause fundraiser and directs the Angel Pillow Project, which helps breast cancer survivors give back and support the newly diagnosed.
She has taken on several leadership roles over the years and along with being an invited speaker, she has organized and planned several breast cancer symposiums and fundraisers, and served as patient advocate for the Integrative...
Terri

Terri has been a licensed clinical social worker since 2007 and has focused her career on grief, loss and life transition. She has worked in the field of oncology since 2013 and her goal in working with patients and those who provide them support is to help them identify strengths and resources that can help them navigate their cancer experience. When not working on the Cancer Support Community Helpline, she is fostering her interest in the use of therapeutic humor in healthcare, animal assisted therapy and enjoy spending time outdoors with her family and pets.
Victoria

Victoria joined CSC as a Helpline Community Navigator in May 2022. Victoria is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and completed her education at the National Catholic School of Social Service at Catholic University with a concentration in clinical and medical social work. She began her career in oncology during her graduate school internship and has never left. During her time in outpatient oncology, she completed training through the Enriching Communication Skills for Health Professionals in Oncofertility (ECHO) program from Moffitt Cancer Center and Sensitive Practice Training through Mount Sinai. Victoria has a special interest in supporting patients and families through...
"THANK YOU for the delightful conversation of support. With my appreciation for learning about your organization, support options and your professionalism!"
Helpline Caller