Blood and Bone Marrow Cancers

AnCan
Our Mission
AnCan is about people helping people, peer-to-peer … we are people living with various conditions and situations who help others faced with similar issues. We do this collectively and individually by providing answers, support and navigation to empower people living with serious and chronic conditions to address their worlds.

Our Vision
AnCan’s vision is to provide easily accessible, inclusive virtual peer support for every serious disease and condition allowing widespread participation, especially to those geographically, physically or socially disadvantaged.

Collaboration with other non-profits underpins our strategy.

Our Groups
AnCan is the FIRST virtual real time audio/visual peer-to-peer support group platform. Our virtual, video chat groups can be accessed online via your desk or laptop computer, mobile device or by telephone. These virtual support group meetings are currently conducted on the GoToMeeting platform; to learn how to join, click here.

AnCan currently offers 20+ virtual groups monthly on a drop-in and free basis, no commitment! AND we have been doing this long before you ever heard of Covid.

Our group of women and men come together as peers to discuss our experience with one or more blood or hematologic cancers. These include, but are not restricted to, Leukemia, Lymphoma, and  Multiple Myeloma plus variations on one or more of these diagnoses.

Individuals seeking support as a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or family member/friend are invited to attend scheduled meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to learn by sharing our experiences with the understanding that we have a lot to learn from each other.

This is a peer-moderated group. As such we cannot provide medical advice – we can speak about our own experiences with treatments and other aspects of living with blood cancers. We discuss:

• Treatments
• How your disease affects you personally
• How family members and/or friends react
• How you deal with anger about the changes to your life
• How you deal with “telling about & preparing for the end,”
• How it has changed your relationships – both caregivers & patients
• Intimacy and sexuality

… and any other topic YOU feel is important and you’d like to bring up.

The virtual group meets every 1st Thursday @ 8pm Eastern in the AnCan Schmier Room. You can join online or by phone at +1 646 749 3127 Access # 656-182-845. See the Joining Instructions Panel above right for more information and other Country Access codes.  Our groups are free & drop-in – no registration required.

Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation
The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation is the world’s leading non-profit health organization dedicated to supporting patients and families living with aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and related bone marrow failure diseases. The Foundation provides answers, support, and hope to thousands of patients and their families around the world.

We are a patient-focused, patient-centered organization, serving patients and families throughout the three phases of bone marrow failure diseases:

• the life changing phase of diagnosis
• the life threatening phase of treatment
• the life long phase of living with a chronic disease

Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet)
Provides transplant patients, survivors and their loved ones with emotional support and high quality, easy-to-understand information about bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell and cord blood transplants.

• Educational webcasts
• Caring Connections, a program that links people who are considering a transplant, or a family member, with others who have been through transplant and can offer support
• Counseling services to help patients understand treatment options and potential healthcare providers
• BMT InfoNet Drug Database is a guide that lists many of the drugs bone marrow, stem cell and cord blood transplants patients receive during treatment. It explains why they are used and some of the possible side effects.
• Patient Assistance Fund offers a limited amount of financial assistance for gas, food, rent, or other necessities. Social workers may apply on behalf of a patient via phone or email at [email protected]

Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymhoma Society (LLS)
Mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

We are at the forefront of the fight to cure cancer. Compared to other blood cancer nonprofits, this is the largest funder of cutting-edge research to advance cures. We have invested nearly $1.6 billion in research. We are leaders in advancing breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine. This research saves lives. These revolutionary new treatments originally discovered through blood cancer research are now being tested in clinical trials for other cancers.

As the leading source of free blood cancer information, education and support for patients, survivors, families and healthcare professionals, Blood Cancer United  helps patients navigate their cancer treatment and ensures they have access to quality, affordable and coordinated care. Research will help us achieve an end to cancer. In the meantime, patients need help before, during and after their diagnosis and treatment. Blood Cancer United is the leading nonprofit that does just that. Dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and services to patients and caregivers and removing barriers to care by proving financial support.

Support services include in-person and online support groups and peer-to-peer support that links patients and their families with a trained volunteer who has experienced a similar situation. Numerous resources include education programs, free educational materials, online support programs, and information about home-care services. You can contact us by phone, email or Live Chat. Callers who speak languages other than English may request the services of a language interpreter; medical interpretation services are available in 170 languages. We have chapter offices located throughout the United States and Canada.

Do you want to connect with other patients and caregivers who are going through, or have gone through, similar experiences as you?

Whether you would like to connect with others in person or virtually, we’ve got you covered. All of our resources are free of charge.

Watch these recent webcasts to hear the latest blood cancer information, directly from the experts.

Our webcasts feature leading medical experts who cover the latest information about blood cancer diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and more.

All webcasts are recorded and are available to watch as video replays, accompanied by program slides and transcripts.

You can also register for upcoming, live webcasts, which feature Q&A sessions with the speakers.

We hope you find these webcasts both informative and supportive.

• General Treatment, Support and Caregiving
• Childhood and Young Adult Blood Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Myeloma
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
• Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)
• Webcasts y Videos en Español
  

  WATCH NOW

We are collecting new questions for our Q&A video series, Beyond Your Diagnosis: Your Questions Answered. Selected questions are answered by a health expert and posted via video.

Please see below for instructions on how to submit your questions.

Here are the details:

• We want to hear from everyone, including patients, caregivers, family members, friends – anyone who has been impacted by blood cancer.
• You may submit more than one question.
• Don’t be afraid to ask any question.

How to Submit Your Questions:

• Click here to submit your questions.
• If your question is chosen, LLS will email you and provide detailed instructions on how to video record your question. We kindly ask that you record your own question and not have someone else record on your behalf.
• Once we receive your video, you will receive a $50 gift card with over 100 retailers to choose from! Your question will then be answered via video by an expert in the field.
• Questions will be posted throughout the year. If your question is posted, you will receive a link so you can share with others.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

HOW DO I? Short Videos
In our HOW DO I? short video series, cancer survivors and experts guide you through issues that you may face after a cancer diagnosis. Topics cover mental health, nutrition, personal care, survivorship, and brand new videos on insurance!
Check out these latest videos, below, which will teach you about the basics of insurance in the U.S., the different types of insurance, eligibility, how to find the right plan for you, and what to do if you lose coverage.

For patients and survivors who may be fearful or nervous about starting an exercise program, this episode is for you! Please note, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

LISTEN NOW

Not Cashing In My Chips: Living with Cancer
Join us as we speak to Mousa Ghannam, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at the age of 24.

He shares his ups and downs over the past 20 years and how he has persevered to become the happy and healthy husband and father he is now.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode of a blood cancer survivor who chooses to bet on life and not cash in his chips.

LISTEN NOW

Whether you are looking for advice from experts or you want a survivor’s perspective, we host real doctors, experts, patients and caregivers affected by and working to end blood cancer.

Below are some of our most popular episodes from the past year, so we wanted to be sure you didn’t miss them:

To be the first to hear about new episodes, subscribe here.​
Exclusive Access! U\You can gain access to exclusive content, discuss episodes, and make suggestions for future topics.

We offer the following financial assistance programs to help individuals with blood cancer. For a summary of all Patient Financial Assistance Programs, click here.

Chat with other patients and caregivers, in real time.
Our live, weekly online chats provide a friendly and free forum each week for patients and caregivers to chat with others who are going through similar experiences.

Patient Financial Assistance Programs
Co-Pay Assistance Program provides assistance toward the cost of Private, Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE insurance premiums, and treatment-related co-pays and co-insurance for prescription drugs, labs, scans, tests, etc. Award levels vary by disease fund.

Dollar For (our partner) can help you apply for charity care at your hospital. They don’t pay your bills — they get the hospital to forgive them. And their services are entirely free.

Patient Aid Program ​provides a one-time $100 stipend to eligible blood cancer patients to help offset non-medical expenses.

Local Financial Assistance Programs provide assistance for non-medical expenses including transportation, housing, utilities, child/elder care, food, clothing, phone, acute dental work related to treatment. Eligible patients receive a $500 grant.

Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Programs provide assistance for treatment-related transportation and lodging expenses. Eligible patients receive a $500 grant.

Susan Lang Pre CAR T-cell Therapy Travel Assistance Program provides assistance for treatment-related transportation and lodging expenses for patients who are being evaluated to receive CAR T-cell therapy as either standard treatment or a clinical trial. Eligible patients receive a $2,500 grant.

Urgent Need Programs provide assistance for non-medical expenses including rent, mortgage, lodging, utilities, childcare, elder care, food, transportation, car repair, car insurance, phone service, and acute dental work related to treatment. Eligible patients receive a $500 grant.

Veterans Dental Partnership provide assistance to Veterans with blood cancer to access dental care to begin lifesaving therapy or as a consequence of therapy. All expenses for the required dental care will be covered, as long as funding is available.

Other Financial Aid
For information about other financial aid, click here.

To access this page in Spanish, click here.

Our Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors provides up to $7,500 to cover tuition for virtual or in-person vocational, trade, two-year, or four-year undergraduate education for one year. Your future is now, and we want to support your dreams.

Reach Out to Others for Support
Our support groups are the perfect place to talk with other people affected by blood cancers, including patients, family members and caregivers. The groups provide mutual support and offer the opportunity to discuss anxieties and concerns with others who share the same experiences. This sharing strengthens the family bond and enhances everyone’s ability to cope with cancer.

Bone Marrow Foundation
To improve the quality of life for bone marrow, stem cell, and cord blood transplant patients and their families by providing vital financial assistance, emotional support, and comprehensive educational programs.

• Patient Aid Program may provide a small amount of funding to help patients with very limited incomes cover the costs of donor searches, compatibility testing, bone marrow harvesting, medications, home and child care services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking, housing costs and other expenses associated with the transplant
• One-to-One Fund is a personal fund created for a specific patient. BMF administers and maintains the Fund, and can offer support with fundraising ideas
• Lifeline Project will post the patient’s photo and story on a webpage so people can donate money directly to the patient to help cover costs associated with the transplant
• Offers resource listings and list of transplant centers in the U.S.
• Provides SupportLine – a free service that connects patients and caregivers undergoing a transplant with patients and caregivers who are post-transplant
• Offers Ask the Expert – a question-and-answer service where patients can email questions to health professionals about bone marrow and stem cell transplantation
• Survivorship Program provides resources that can address the needs of all bone marrow, stem cell, and cord blood transplant survivors, their families, and caregivers. Includes online discussion forum and NYC-based in person support group
• Provides publications about transplantation and related topics.

Children’s Leukemia Research Association (CLRA)
Patient Aid Program offers limited funds (up to $1,500 per year) to assist with certain treatments, services and prescriptions; funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Icla da Silva Foundation
Our mission is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors and by providing support services to children and adults with leukemia and other diseases treatable by marrow transplants.

Know AML
Know AML is the first global education and awareness initiative that provides patients and caregivers with the information, resources, and support they need to deal with acute myeloid leukemia.