Patient and Caregiver Peer Support/Mentoring Programs

Connecting with another patient (peer) or caregiver who is experiencing the same cancer diagnosis can provide a great deal of support and connection. The websites listed below offer peer connection/mentoring programs for cancer patients and caregivers. Some treatment centers have their own peer/buddy programs available. Ask your social worker or navigator for a referral. Volunteering for a peer connection/mentoring/buddy program is also a great way for survivors to give back.

All Cancer Types

Imerman Angels

Provides one-on-one peer support among cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers.

http://www.imermanangels.org/

4^th Angel

Matches patients and caregivers with trained volunteer mentors.

https://4thangel.ccf.org

Cancer Hope Network

Provides one-on-one support to people undergoing treatment for cancer and to their families through training individuals who have recovered from cancer and matching them with cancer patients currently undergoing a similar experience

http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/

Friend 4 Life

To help persons recently diagnosed with cancer and their care partners navigate the path through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery by pairing them with a trained survivor of a similar experience.

https://www.friend4life.org

Cancer-Type Specific

Blood Cancers-Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, MDS

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program

https://www.lls.org/support/peer-to-peer-support

Breast Cancer

ACS Reach to Recovery

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/reach-to-recovery.html

Living Beyond Breast Cancer Helpline

www.lbbc.org/helpline

Young Survival Coalition Peer Mentoring

https://www.youngsurvival.org/talk-one-on-one

Pink Lotus Breast Buddies

https://pinklotus.com/powerup/breastbuddies/

Sharsheret Peer Support Network (BRCA+)

https://sharsheret.org/what-we-do/peer-support/

Lung Cancer

Go2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Phone Buddy Program

https://go2foundation.org/resources-and-support/emotional-support/phone-buddy/

Lungevity LifeLine Support Partners

https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/support-services/peer-to-peer-mentoring

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer Alliance Buddy Program

https://www.ccalliance.org/patient-family-support/buddy-program

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Woman to Woman (W2W) Program

https://ocrahope.org/patients/peer-support-woman-to-woman/

Sharsheret Peer Support Network (BRCA+)

https://sharsheret.org/what-we-do/peer-support/

Prostate Cancer

ZeroCancer MENtor Program

https://zerocancer.org/get-support/mentor/

Head and Neck Cancer

SPOHNC National Survivor Volunteer Network

https://www.spohnc.org/supportive-care/

Pancreatic Cancer

PanCan Survivor/Caregiver Network

https://www.pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/patient-services/survivor-and-caregiver-network/

Testicular Cancer

Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/online-support

Testicular Cancer Society

1-on-1 Navigation and Support Program

https://testicularcancersociety.org/pages/support-for-fighters

Brain Tumors

American Brain Tumor Association

https://www.abta.org/about-brain-tumors/social-emotional-support/

Melanoma

AIM at Melanoma Foundation Peer Connect Program

https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/support-resources/connect-with-a-peer/

Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Survivor to Survivor Program

https://bcan.org/survivor-to-survivor/

Adolescents/Young Adults

Stupid Cancer (Digital) Meet-Ups

Offers space to connect with AYA peers coping with cancer.

https://stupidcancer.org/meetups/