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Important Links

Online Support Groups

Neuroblastoma List Serve
Web: http://www.acor.org/n-blastoma.html
Online support for families with children with neuroblastoma. Sponsored by Association of Cancer Online Resources(ACOR).

PED-ONC List Serve
Web: http://www.acor.org/ped-onc.html
Online support for families with children with cancer. Sponsored by Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR).

Service Organizations

American Cancer Society
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-4251
Phone: (800) ACS-2345
Web: http://www.cancer.org/
Its programs include patient-to-patient visitation, transportation to appointments, housing near treatment centers, equipment and supplies, support groups, educational literature, and summer camps for children with cancer.

Canadian Cancer Society
565 W. 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC Canada V5Z 4J4
Phone: (604) 872-4400
CANCER INFO SERVICE: (604) 1-888-939-3333
Web: http://www.bc.cancer.ca/ 
Provides same services as the US Cancer Society.

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
3910 Warner St.
Kensington, MD 20895
Phone: (800) 366-2223
Fax: (301) 718-2686
Email: info@candlelighters.org
Web: http://www.candlelighters.org 
Founded in 1970, Candlelighters has more than 40,000 members worldwide. Free of charge, it provides yearly bibliography and resource guides, quarterly newsletters, youth newsletters, and various handbooks to help families of children with cancer.

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Canada
National Office
55 Eglinton Avenue E., Suite 401
Toronto, ON Canada M4P 1G8
Phone: (416) 489-6440 or (800) 363-1062 (Canada only)
Fax: (416) 489-9812
Email: staff@candlelighters.ca
Web: http://www.candlelighters.ca 
Provides the same services as US Candlelighters.

Home Away From Home Program
Phone: (800) ACS-2345
Web: http://www2.cancer.org/states/index.cfm?id=6&DOC_ID=10043
Free hotel rooms for families traveling for cancer treatments, depending upon availability. A program of the American Cancer Society, Colorado.

Ronald McDonald House Coordinator
c/o Golin Communications Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 729-4000

Organizations that Provide Information

American Association for Cancer Research
Web: http://www.aacr.org/
Defines cancer by type and posts updates on action alerts, funding and public forums.

American Society of Clinical Oncology
Web: http://www.asco.org/
Information on clinical trials, guidelines, and procedures.

Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
Web: http://ctep.info.nih.gov/
Information on clinical trials, guidelines, and procedures.

Childhood Cancer Ombudsman Program
P.O. Box 595
Burgess, VA 22432
Fax: (804) 580-2502
Email: gpmonaco@rivnet.net
This free service helps children with cancer and their families who are experiencing difficulties gain access to appropriate education, medical care, healthcare cost coverage, and meaningful employment. Services include medical library searches, a second opinion program, and help resolving insurance or discrimination problems.

ClinicalTrials.Gov
Web: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
2212 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (800) 466-4232 OR (510) 644-2555
Fax: (510) 841-8645
Email: dredf@dredf.org
Web: http://dredf.org/
Answers questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, explains how to file a complaint, and provides dispute resolution.

Food and Drug Administration
Web: http://www.fda.gov/oashi/cancer/cancer.html
Lists FDA approved products, patient advocacy programs, articles, directory of clinical trials.

The Institute for Families of Blind Children
Attention: Nancy
P. O. Box 54700 MS# 111
Los Angeles, CA 90054-0700
Supports and provides information to families affected by retinoblastoma and visual impairment.

Job Accommodation Network
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: (800) 526-7234 or (800) ADA-WORK
Provides information about on-the-job accommodations for persons with disabilities. Also provides rights and responsibilities under FMLA.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Cancer Information Service
Building 31, Room 10A03
31 Center Drive, MSC 2580
Bethesda, MD 20892 - 2580
Phone: (800) 4-CANCER OR 301-435-3848
Fax: (301) 231-6941
Web: http://www.nci.nih.gov/
Provides a nationwide telephone service for people with cancer, their families, friends, and the professionals who treat them. It provides answers and sends out informational booklets on a variety of cancer-related topics.

National Childhood Cancer Foundation
440 E. Huntington Drive
P.O. Box 60012
Arcadia, CA 91066-6012
Phone: (626) 447-1674
Fax: (626) 447-6359
Web: http://www.nccf.org/
Supports pediatric cancer treatment and research in more than 115 hospitals in North America and Australia. Their newsletter, Childhood Cancerline, provides information on new treatments and psychosocial support.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
1010 Wayne Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 650-8868
Fax: (301) 565-9670
Organization that addresses the needs of long-term cancer survivors and advocates for changes in healthcare to maximize survivors' access to optimal treatment and support. The coalition has an extensive publications list.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY)
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013
Phone: (800) 695-0285
A clearinghouse that provides free pamphlets and information on disabilities and the rights of disabled children and their parents.

Neuroblastoma Hope Foundation
Web: http://www.acor.org/nbl
This site provides explanations to medical terms you will need to know. It also contains information on leading research and treatment centers, diagnostic information, explanations of common treatment options, and links to other reliable sites.

New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT)
Web: http://www.nant.org/
NANT is a consortium of Universities and Childrens Hospitals funded by the National Cancer Institute to test promising new therapies for neuroblastoma.

PDQ (Physician Data Query)
Phone: (800) 4-CANCER
Web: http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/
PDQ is the National Cancer Institute's computerized listing of accurate and up-to-date information for patients and health professionals about cancer treatments, research studies, clinical trials, organizations, and doctors.

The Retinoblastoma Society
c/o St. Bartholomew's Hospital
West Smithfield
London, England EC1A 7BE
Phone: 0171 600 3309
Fax: 0171 600 8579
Supports and provides information to those with retinoblastoma.

Starbright Foundation
11835 W. Olympic Blvd. #500
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: (310) 479-1212
Fax: (310) 479-1235
Web: http://www.starbright.org
Co-chaired by Steven Spielberg and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Starbright Foundation is best known for its online network of interactive, virtual-reality playgrounds where seriously ill, hospitalized children across the country meet, talk, and play to help cope with the pain, stress, and anxiety of treatment. For teens who are ill, "Videos with Attitude" offer guidance from peers who have "been there." The videos are free to families and come with a parent guide.

University of Pennsylvania
Web: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/
News, FAQs, information on specific cancers, research, clinical trial information.

Organizations that Provide Emotional Support

Cancer Care, Inc.
1180 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 302-2400 or (800) 813-4673
Fax: (212) 719-0263
Web: http://www.cancercare.org

A national, nonprofit organization that provides referrals, one-on-one counseling, specialized support groups, and educational programs. They also provide a resource guide.

Cancer Cured Kids
P.O. Box 189
Old Westbury, NY 11568
Phone: (516) 484-8160 or (800) CCK-7525
Fax: (516) 484-8160 (call first)

An organization dedicated to the quality of life of kids who have survived cancer, it supplies information about educational and psychosocial needs.

Cancer Hope Network
2 North Road
Chester, NJ 07930
Phone: (877) HOPENET
Fax: (908) 879-6518
Web: http://www.cancercare.org

Provides one-to-one emotional support to adult cancer patients and their families undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery, from trained and certified volunteers who have undergone the treatments themselves.

Chai Lifeline/Camp Simcha
National Office
151 W. 30th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (800) 343-2527
Fax: (212) 465-0949
Email: mailto:info@chailifeline.org
Web: http://www.cancercare.org

A national, nonprofit Jewish organization that provides support service programs to children and their families in crisis, including medical referrals, support groups, visits to hospitalized and housebound children, financial aid, transportation, a kosher camp for kids with cancer, and more.

Child Life Council
11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 202
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 881-7090
Fax: (301) 881-7092

Promotes the well-being of children and families in healthcare settings by supporting the development and practice of the child life profession with training conferences, publications, and information.

Children's Hopes and Dreams Foundation
280 Route 46
Dover, NJ 07801
Phone: (973) 361-7348

This organization operates a free, worldwide pen-pal program for children ages five to seventeen with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or life-threatening illnesses.

Coping Magazine
P.O. Box 682268
Franklin, TN 37068
Phone: (615) 790-2400
Fax: (615) 794-0179

A bimonthly publication devoted to people whose lives have been touched by cancer.

Friends Network
P.O. Box 4545
Santa Barbara, CA 93140
Attention: Kenon Neal

A national, nonprofit organization that distributes The Funletter, a full-color activities newsletter, to children with cancer.

Love Letters, Inc.
P.O. Box 416875
Chicago, IL 60641
Phone: (630) 620-1970

This free service, started by a mother whose son died of cancer, is run by a group of volunteers who send letters, cards, and gifts to catastrophically ill children. This is not a pen-pal organization. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

National Children's Cancer Society
1015 Locust #600
St Louis, MO 63101
Phone: (800) 532-6459
Web: http://www.children-cancer.com/

Advocates for children affected by childhood cancer and their families by providing financial assistance, education, and emotional support.

Parents Caring and Sharing
c/o Chumie Bodek
109 Rutledge Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 596-1542 or 596-9002 (call during business hours, Eastern time)

Provides outreach, a support network, and newsletter for Jewish Orthodox families with children with cancer. Holds monthly meetings and links families of children with similar diseases.

Songs of Love Foundation
P.O. Box 750809
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Web: http://www.songsoflove.org

A nonprofit organization that has a volunteer group of more than 200 artists who produce personalized musical portraits for children and teens with chronic or life-threatening diseases.

Financial Help

Cancer Fund of America
2901 Breezewood Lane
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (800) 578-5284
Fax: (615) 938-2968
Web: http://www.cfoa.org

Helps defray cancer-related expenses not covered by insurance.

Free Air Services

Corporate Angel Network, Inc. (CAN)
Westchester County Airport, Building 1
White Plains, NY 10604
Phone: (914) 328-1313
Fax: (800) 328-4226
Web: http://www.corpangelnetwork.org/

A nationwide, nonprofit program designed to give patients with cancer the use of available seats on corporate aircraft to get to and from recognized cancer treatment centers. Patients must be able to walk and travel without life-support systems or medical attention. A child may be accompanied by up to two adults. This service will also fly donors. There is no cost or financial need requirements.

DreamLine, Inc.
Contact: Bob Iverson
117 North Merrill St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Web: http://www.bobiverson.com/dreamline

Provides free airline travel for children with serious illnesses needing transportation for emergency medical treatment or vacation.

Hope Air
Proctor & Gamble Building
4711 Young Street
Toronto, ON Canada M2N 6K8
Phone: (877) 346-4673 (Toll-Free In Canada Only)
Fax: (416) 222-6930
Web: http://www.hopeair.org/

An organization that provides free air transport to Canadians in financial need who must travel from their own communities to recognized facilities for medical care.

National Patient Travel Center
4620 Haygood Rd. Suite #1
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (800) 296-1217
Web: http://www.aircareall.org/

NPTC is a nationwide association of humanitarian flying organizations.

Wish Fullfillment Organizations

For many children with cancer, having a dream fulfilled by a wish organization creates a special, joyous memory. Dreams range from trips, to taking friends out for high tea, to getting a computer. Often parents think that wishes are available only for children in the last stages of their life, but this is not the case. Many organizations grant wishes to children in remission from cancer and other diseases or chronic conditions. Some questions you might ask when determining which organization to apply to are:

  • Who is eligible for a wish fulfillment?
  • Are there any geographic or other restrictions?
  • Who makes the arrangements for the wish?
  • What costs are covered by the wish organization?
   • Who can accompany the child?
   • Are there appropriate medical facilities where the wish will take place?
   • How do we apply?
   • When do we hear if the wish will be granted?

Listing these organizations does not constitute endorsement. The best way to choose is through careful questioning of the organization and through recommendations from other families who have experience with the organization.

B.A.S.E. Camp Children's Cancer Foundation
c/o Terri Jones
7501 Glenmoor Lane
Winter Park, FL 32792
Phone: (407) 673-5060 *
    *call for information and request form well in advance of arrival date
Fax: (407) 673-5095
Web: http://www.basecampccf.org
EMail: basecamptj@aol.com

Does not grant wishes, but does help obtain free or reduced price tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and other central Florida attractions, for children with a hematology/oncology disease and their immediate family. The child with cancer must be on treatment when tickets are used. B.A.S.E. needs to receive a written request and doctor's statement (containing child's name, disease, and whether he/she is medically able to visit any central Florida attraction) between two and three weeks prior to your arrival date in Florida.

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation
23 W. Hubbard Street, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone:  312-836-BEAR (2327)
Fax:  312-836-1284
General Email:  office@bearnecessities.org
Kathleen Casey, Executive Director

The Brass Ring Society, Inc.
National Headquarters
551 East Semoran Boulevard, Suite E-5
Fern Park, FL 32730
Phone: (800) 666-9474
Web: http://www.worldramp.net/brassring/index.html

The society has chapters in all 50 states and grants wishes to children who suffer from life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

The Children's Dream Factory of Maine
Doris Simard or Skip Welch
400 US Rte. 1
Falmouth, ME 04105
Phone: (207) 781-3406

Grants wishes for chronically or seriously ill children from Maine.

Children's Wish Foundation International
8615 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30350
Phone: (770) 393-WISH or (800) 323-WISH
Fax: (770) 393-0683
Email: wish@childrenswish.org
Web: http://www.childrenswish.org/

US or Europe. Fulfills wishes of terminally ill children.

The Children's Wish Foundation
Joel Jones, Director
c/o New Hope Center
100 E. Sybelia, Suite 300
Maitland, FL 32751
Phone: (407) 629-8920 (For Wishes)
Phone: (407) 599-0909 (Center for Grieving)
Fax: (407) 629-7206
Web: http://www.newhopeorlando.org/

Orlando-based organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses who have not yet reached their 18th birthday. Focuses primarily on children who reside in Florida, but has also granted wishes to children from other parts of the US, Canada, England, and Russia. Also, provides services for grieving children who have lost a sibling, parent, grandparent, friend, etc.

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
95 Bayly Street, Suite 404
Ajax, Ontario
Canada L1S 7K8
Phone: (905) 426-5656
Fax: (905) 426-4111
Web: http://www.childrenswish.ca/

The national office for the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. The foundation has chapters located across Canada, so parents can contact the national office for the chapter closest to them. The goal of the foundation is to provide a once in a lifetime experience for children suffering from high risk life-threatening diseases. Children are eligible from 3 years of age and over but under the age of 18 years before the time the request is received.

The Dream Factory, Inc.
PO Box 3942
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (800) 456-7556
Fax: (502) 584-0023
Web: http://www.slnedu.com/sites/dream/index.html

Chapters in 30 states. Grants wishes of children ages 3 to 13 who are seriously or chronically ill.

Grant-A-Wish Foundation
c/o Brian Morrison, Executive Director
PO Box 21243
Baltimore, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 744-1032 or (800) 933-5470
Fax: (410) 744-1984
Web: http://www.grant-a-wish.org/index.htm

Provides a variety of special services and programs (such as beach and mountain retreats, attending Orioles games) to any child up to 18 years of age who is being treated for cancer. Services are provided free of charge and are available on an ongoing basis throughout treatment.

High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire, Inc.
354 N. Broadway
Salem, NH 03079
Phone: (603) 898-5333 or (800) 639-6804
Web: http://www.highhopesnh.org/

Grants wishes of chronically ill children and children with life-threatening diseases in New Hampshire.

Kids, Inc.
9300-D Old Keene Mill Road
Burke, VA 22015
(703) 455-KIDS

Grants unfulfilled wishes to gravely ill children 16 and younger anywhere in the US.

Magic Moments
c/o Children's Hospital of Alabama
1600 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: (205) 939-9372
Fax: (205) 939-9189

Grants wishes to children 4 to 19 living or being treated in Alabama, who have chronic, life-threatening diseases, or who have severe trauma (burns, spinal cord, head trauma).

Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
3550 N. Central Ave., Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 279-WISH or (800) 722-WISH
Fax: (602) 279-8055
Web: http://www.wish.org/

US and international chapters and affiliates. Grants wishes to children under the age of 18 with life-threatening illnesses.

Operation Liftoff of Ohio
PO Box 1094
Gallipolis, OH 45631

Fulfills a dream for children in Ohio and surrounding states who have a life-threatening illness.

A Special Wish Foundation, Inc.
2244 S. Hamilton Road, Suite 202
Columbus, OH 43232
Phone: (614) 575-WISH or (800) 486-WISH
Web: http://www.spwish.org/

The Starlight Foundation
International Headquarters
12424 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1050
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 207-5558

The Starlight Foundation has chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Contact the international office in Los Angeles, California for further information. The foundation exists to fulfill wishes for seriously, chronically, and terminally ill children age