Here is a list of different community support organizations I’ve found either from personal experience or that I’ve stumbled across in my research. I hope you find something helpful here.
Nanny Angel Network – An organization dedicated to helping moms with cancer. They are based out of Toronto and service a large area including GTA and surrounding areas. Their nanny services are free and personalized to your needs and all their nannies are bonded workers.
Wellwood – Hamilton, ON and surrounding areas – Supporting cancer patients, their families and caregivers by providing information, programs and peer support.
Pink Pearl – Ontario, Canada – Pink Pearl is a non-profit organization that provides community based support to women dealing with cancer.
Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) – National – Dedicated to helping young Canadians with cancer. They provide peer support, information, host annual retreats and conference and share information for people 40 and under.
Canadian Cancer Society – National – The Canadian Cancer Society runs free support groups including professionals, survivors and others facing diagnoses like your own. Visit the below website for contact information.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada – Canada – Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada provides information, resources and support to patients, caregivers and professionals.
Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills – Halton Hills, Ontario – Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills offers various forms of help such as transportation to and from appointments, financial support with equipment, house cleaning services and even Reiki and Reflexology. This organization is near and dear to my heart as they have helped me tremendously though my journey.
HopeSpring – Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Ontario and surrounding areas – An independent community organization that offers an array of services including nutrition, family support, coping skills, relaxation programs and even free yoga, among other things. All their programs are free of charge.
Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre – Communities of North Simcoe, Ontario – Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre offers programs to patients, their families and immediate care givers free of charge.
Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation – Ottawa, Ontario and surrounding areas – Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation offers one on one, group, nutritional coaching among other services to cancer patients.
Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders – Canada – Focuses on arming Canadians with rare disorders with information and access to resources specific to their disorder.
South West Self-Management Program – South Western, Ontario – Is one of the 14 regions of the Local Health Integration Network. Empowers people with chronic conditions to live healthy lives through workshops and other community based programs.
Clean Aromatherapy – A residential cleaning company and natural cleaning product producer in Halton Hills, Ontario. Their services are not free but if you are more concerned about having your house cleaned in a chemically conscientious way, this company and these products are superb.
Local Health Integration Network – Ontario, Canada – LHIN works with people to ensure they can make informed choices about their care, when and where they need it. They also provide information about local community support services and link people to these providers for services. They are broken up into 14 regions across Ontario.
ONLINE SUPPORT
Many of the community resources listed above offer online and telephone support too. Here are a few I’ve found strictly through my online ventures:
Facebook is a great resource for online support. If you go to the search engine and type in ‘acute’ you will get a number of group options:
I have been part of the Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia group for about 4 months and I am still regularly shocked by how loving and supportive this group of people from across the globe are. I feel very fortunate to have them join me through my journey.
If you know of any local support groups that you would like added to this list, please reach me through the Contact menu above or email me at michelle_burleigh@hotmail.com.
