Here is a list of some helpful organizations. This is not an all-inclusive list and Second Act does not take responsibility for any information provided by these organizations, but provides them to help you better navigate your journey.
A Silver Lining Foundation
www.asilverliningfoundation.org
312.345.1322
The mission of A Silver Lining Foundation is to ensure dignified, respectful and equal access to quality cancer education and services for all, by creating meaningful partnerships with community, advocacy and healthcare organizations.
Access Community Health Network
www.accesscommunityhealth.net
866.267.2353
Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) is Chicagoland’s largest private primary health care provider to the underserved and the nation’s largest community health center organization. ACCESS operates 50 community health center locations and one oral health center in underserved, low-income neighborhoods throughout the Chicago region, providing close to 600,000 primary care visits to 200,000 individuals.
ALAS-WINGS, Latina Association for Breast Cancer
www.alas-wings.org
312.883.2527
ALAS offers face-to-face tangible services in every phase of the breast cancer process, from diagnosis to survivorship. In addition to providing emotional counseling and health education through support groups and educational workshops in Spanish, ALAS works with the community to provide bras, wigs and prostheses to uninsured breast cancer patients in general. The goal of ALAS is to enable Hispanic/Latina women to receive the very best care and encouragement possible so they can move beyond cancer and begin living fulfilled and happy lives again.
American Breast Care
www.americanbreastcare.com
This site will provide additional information about the post-breast surgery products that we carry. You cannot purchase directly from them but it will show you the full line of products available and Second Act can order any of these items for you.
The American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
800.227.2345
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has state divisions and more than 3,400 local offices.
American Society of Clinical Oncology
www.asco.org
571.483.1300
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is dedicated to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer through education and clinical research.
Amoena
There are two important sites to visit for Amoena. The first, www.thebreastcaresite.com, is a great community of like-minded individuals facing the same challenges and questions that you are facing.
The second, www.amoena.com/us will provide additional information about the post-breast surgery products that we carry. You cannot purchase directly from them but it will show you the full line of products available and Second Act can order any of these items for you.
Breast Cancer.org
www.breastcancer.org
Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer. Their mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.
Breast Cancer Now
www.breastcancernow.org
The goal of Breast Cancer Now is to provide information and support for people affected by breast cancer, living in the UK. However, their information is universally helpful to people affected by breast cancer, wherever they live.
Bright Pink
www.bebrightpink.org
Bright Pink is a unique resource providing support to young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. They arm young women with knowledge, options and a great attitude, and offer companionship and empathy during their journey. They empower them to take control of their breast and ovarian health and, in turn, grant them the freedom and peace of mind to live a beautiful and fulfilling life.
CancerandCareers.org
www.cancerandcareers.org
646.929.8032
Cancer and Careers is committed to changing the face of cancer in the workplace by providing a comprehensive website, free publications, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer.
Cancer Care, Inc.
www.cancercare.org
800.813.HOPE (4673)
CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. CancerCare programs-including counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance and practical help-are provided by professional oncology social workers and are completely free of charge.
Caring Bridge
http://www.caringbridge.org/
An online space where you can connect, share news, and receive support, Caring Bridge is your very own health social network, coming together on your personalized website bringing family, friends and loved ones together when it matters. We are available 24/7 to anyone, anywhere, at no cost.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and health education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
Center Watch – Clinical Trials Listing Service
www.centerwatch.com
866.219.3440
The global destination for clinical trials information.
Chicago Department of Public Health
www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph.html
Children’s Oncology Services, Inc.
www.onestepcamp.org
312.924.4220
Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI) believes that a diagnosis of cancer should not prevent a child from experiencing the simple joys of childhood. Through the One Step At A Time programs, COSI offers camp experiences and educational programs throughout the year that allow children with cancer to just be kids. Their programs offer fun, friendship and support in a safe and nurturing environment.
Clinical Trials Listing
www.Clinicaltrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world. ClinicalTrials.gov gives you information about a trial’s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.
Dense Breast-Info
http://densebreast-info.org/
DenseBreast-info.org is an information resource focused on providing breast density information to both patients and health care providers. This medically sourced educational tool is the collaborative effort of breast imaging experts and medical reviewers to help guide discussion of the question: “Have dense breasts…now what?”.
Equal Hope
www.chicagobreastcancer.org
312.942.3368
The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force (MCBCTF) is now Equal Hope. It still consists of a group of dedicated community leaders, advocates, and professionals concerned with the widening disparity in breast cancer mortality in Chicago.
Facing the Mirror with Cancer
www.facingthemirror.org
Facing the Mirror with Cancer is a makeup book that is written specifically for people with cancer. In an upbeat style, with many color photographs, the book describes in detail makeup tools and techniques. Each of them is designed to help you maintain control over the temporary changes to your skin, hair, and nails that can occur during cancer treatment and beyond.
As a professional makeup artist Lori Ovitz has applied makeup to top celebrities and models for 20 years. As a volunteer teaching makeup to cancer patients, she has developed many specialized techniques that are easy to use and very effective. The response to her individual lessons has been so overwhelmingly positive from doctors, nurses, social workers, as well as patients and their families, that she knew she had to share she makeup secrets with cancer patients everywhere.
FORCE – Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
www.facingourrisk.org
954.255.8732
FORCE’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Gilda’s Club Chicago
www.gildasclubchicago.org
312.464.9900
Gilda’s Club Chicago provides a warm and welcoming meeting place where men, women and children diagnosed with cancer, and family and friends, join with others to build social, emotional and informational support as an essential supplement to medical care. Membership and their programs are free of charge. They offer support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in their home-like clubhouse.
Healthfinder®
www.healthfinder.org
A division of the US Department of Health and Human Services as a resource for reliable health information.
HairUWear
www.hairuwear.com
This site will provide additional information about the Raquel Welch ™ and Gabor® lines of hair replacement products that we carry. You cannot purchase directly from them but it will show you the full line of products available and Second Act can order any of these items for you.
Howard Brown Health
http://www.howardbrown.org
773.388.1600
Howard Brown exists to eliminate the disparities in healthcare experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness.
Illinois Department of Public Health
www.idph.state.il.us
217.782.4977
The Illinois Department of Public Health was created in 1877 to regulate medical practitioners and to promote sanitation. Today, IDPH is responsible for protecting the state’s 12.4 million residents, as well as countless visitors, through the prevention and control of disease and injury. The Department’s nearly 200 programs touch virtually every age, aspect and cycle of life.
Imerman Angels
www.imermanangels.org
Imerman Angels is a federally registered not-for-profit organization providing one-on-one cancer support connecting cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. Imerman Angels partners a person fighting cancer with someone who has beaten the same type of cancer. One-on-one relationships give a fighter the chance to ask personal questions and get support from someone who is uniquely familiar with their experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world.
Live Strong
www.livestrong.org
The Live Strong Foundation unites people to fight cancer believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
www.leukemia.org
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
www.lbbc.org
855.807.6386
LBBC was founded in 1991 by radiation oncologist Marisa C. Weiss, MD, in response to a woman’s need for breast-cancer-related information, connection and support after completing treatment. Their mission is to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life.
Lymphedema Education & Research Network
www.LymphaticNetwork.org
516.625.9675
The Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded in 1998 to fight lymphatic diseases and lymphedema through education, research and advocacy.
MammaCare®
www.mammacare.com
MammaCare is the recognized medical and scientific standard for performing and teaching manual breast examination. MammaCare Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) and Breast Self-Examination (BSE) significantly increase examination sensitivity, specificity and breast tissue coverage.
The tactually accurate breast models and evidence-based training were developed by MammaCare with the support of the National Cancer Institute to improve the tactile skills needed to detect and distinguish suspicious lesions from normal nodular breast tissue.
Medicaid (Illinois)
800.252.8635
Medicare
http://www.medicare.gov/
Medline Plus – Drug and Medical Dictionary
www.medlineplus.gov
A service of the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer
www.mothersdaughters.org
410.778.1982
MSDBC is a national nonprofit organization co-founded by a mother (Charmayne Dierker) and her daughter (Lillie Shockney) in March 1995. The support services provided by this organization are free and are designed to help mothers who have daughters battling breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Coalition
www.stopbreastcancer.org/
NBCC’s mission is to eradicate breast cancer by focusing the administration, U.S. Congress, research institutions and consumer advocates on breast cancer. NBCC encourages all those concerned about this disease to become advocates for action and change.
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
800.4CANCER (800.422.6237)
The NCI, established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937, is the Federal Government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.
National Family Caregivers Association
www.nfcacares.org/
855.227.3640
The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers’ lives by removing barriers to health and well being.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
www.nhpco.org
703.837.1500
NHPCO is committed to improving end-of-life care and expanding access to hospice and palliative care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.
National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. Helping to lead the way toward important medical discoveries that improve people’s health and save lives, NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent disease as well as the causes, treatments, and even cures for common and rare diseases. Composed of 27 Institutes and Centers, the NIH provides leadership and financial support to researchers in every state and throughout the world.
National Lymphedema Network
www.lymphnet.org
The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded in 1988 to provide education and guidance to lymphedema patients, health care professionals and the general public by disseminating information on the prevention and management of primary and secondary lymphedema.
Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
800.532.5274
Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases.
SD Rehab
Restore + Revitalize + Renew
www.sdrehab.com
773.477.7599
Dealing with an injury, illness or chronic pain can debilitate your quality of live. At SD Rehab, the rehabilitation and alternative fitness studio, you’ll find indivudalized treatment that can help get you – and your body – to a more comfortable place, giving you the confidence to move forward with your health. And your life.
Sisters Network, Inc.
www.sistersnetworkinc.org
866.781.1808
Sisters Network Inc. Chicago Chapter
www.sistersnetworkchicagochapter.org
773.353.8854
Sisters Network Inc. is committed to increasing local and national attention to the devasting impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
ww5.komen.org
1.877.GO.KOMEN (1.877.465.6636)
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Chicagoland Area
www.komenchicago.org
773.444.0061
Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
VanDriehl Medical Specialties
vandrielsmedical.com
847.253.6494
Van Driehl’s provides compression and support stockings. diabetic socks / T.E.D.s, post-mastectomy & lymphedema armsleeves, sacro-lumbar / back supports / S.I. belts, knee braces / immobilizers / chopat straps, arthritis comfort supports, carpal tunnel wrist splints, ankle aircast / lace up / pull-on supports, and abdominal binders. They are a BCBS in-network provider.
Wellness Community
www.thewellnesscommunity.org
888.793.9355
Founded in 1982, The Wellness Community is an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress-reduction classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of their disease.
Wellness House
www.wellnesshouse.org
630.323.5150
Established in 1990, Wellness House is a community-based independent organization that offers psychosocial support, education and information, as a complement to medical treatment to cancer patients, their families and friends. Wellness House exists to improve the quality of life for people whose lives are affected by cancer and its treatment.
Wig and a Prayer
https://www.wigandaprayer.com/
When you have cancer, a Wig and a Prayer can help. Wig and a Prayer offers financial support to help cover the cost of a wig, so even with cancer you can feel more like yourself. Go to their web site to submit an application.
Young Survival Coalition
www.youngsurvival.org
877.972.1011
The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is an international, nonprofit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities and to persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under. The YSC also serves as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer.