• American Cancer Society – Upstate New York
1120 S Goodman St., Rochester, NY 14620 • 1-800-227-2345
Services include a 24/7 information and support hotline (also available via live chat or video chat on cancer.org), transportation assistance (where available), lodging assistance, and online peer support.
• CancerConnects
5000 Brittonfield Pkwy, Suite A106, P.O. Box 2010, E. Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-634-5004
officecancerconnects@gmail.com • www.cancerconnects.org
CancerConnects provides free programs and services to help facilitate the cancer journey for adult cancer patients throughout Central and Northern New York. It empowers cancer patients and survivors via connections to community resources, support and guidance. The signature free programs include: The Patient Buddy Program, which pairs newly diagnosed individuals with trained volunteer mentors, who have been through a similar cancer experience; The Complementary Therapy Program, which provides free vouchers to services such as massage, reiki, healing touch, foot reflexology, yoga therapy, acupuncture, and virtual meditations to help cancer patients manage symptoms and restore a sense of control and vitality; The Caregiving Mentor Program, which pairs current caregivers of cancer patients with a trained, volunteer mentor who has a similar caregiving experience; and The Angel Fund and Saint Agatha Foundation Patient Financial Assistance Program, which help to provide financial assistance for medical expenses, nutrition supplements, transportation services and more. CancerConnects relies heavily on local donations to provide these free programs and services.
• Cancer Services Programs
1-866-442-CANCER (2262) to find nearby service providers, call English and Spanish and other languages available or visit the following website:
www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/services/community_resources/
The Cancer Services Program (CSP) provides breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services at no cost to people who live in New York State; do not have health insurance; have health insurance with a cost share that may prevent a person from obtaining screening and/or diagnostic services; and meet income and age eligibility requirements.
Onondaga County Health Department — Cancer Services Program
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 421 Montgomery St., 9th Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202 • 315-435-3653
https://onondaga.gov/health/cancer-screening/
The Cancer Services Program (CSP) offers free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services for those without health insurance. Screening services are provided at a variety of convenient locations throughout Onondaga County.
Oswego County Opportunities North Country Cancer Services Program
10 George St., Oswego, NY 13126 • 315-592-0830
www.oco.org/services/cancer-services/
North Country Cancer Services Program provides support in accessing screening and treatment for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancers. It covers Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Call 315-592-0830 for more information.
• Coping With Cancer — Supporting Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients — Upstate University Hospital
315-464-3513
psoresearch@upstate.edu • www.upstate.edu/hospital/health/healthlink/supportgroups.php
The support group is designed to offer education and coping skills to individuals who have received a cancer diagnosis within the last year. Meetings include instruction and discussion on topics such as navigating treatment and coping with emotional responses to cancer. All participants are welcome to bring one guest to the meetings. Visit website for more information.
• Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY
5008 Brittonfield Pkwy., E. Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-472-7504
Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) is a private community cancer center established in 1982 with a mission to provide the highest level of quality care in a healing environment for the mind, body and spirit of patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders. A member of the Community Oncology Alliance, HOA has offices in Auburn, Camillus and East Syracuse. HOA achieves its mission with a multi-faceted team dedicated to holistic, patient-centered care, and is the only cancer practice in Central New York certified as an oncology medical home by The American Society of Clinical Oncology. This designation means all care plans center around what is best for the patient. With an emphasis on quality of care versus quantity, OMH patients generally experience lower costs, higher satisfaction, reduced medical errors, and are better-informed.
• Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY Support Groups
Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group
315-472-7504 ext. 1349
This group meets in-person on the first Tuesday of every month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY Camillus Office, 5490 Cobbler Way, Camillus, NY. The group is a self-help, open support group for those with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, and it addresses their unique challenges. Those planning to attend, RSVP to 315-472-7504 ext. 1349 or smenzari@hoacny.com.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer Support Group
315-472-7504, ext. 1349
This group meets in person on the third Tuesday of every month, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY Camillus Office, 5490 Cobbler Way, Camillus, NY . It is for individuals with a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer. The group is a self-help, open support group for those with a diagnoses of triple negative breast cancer, and it addresses their unique challenges. Those planning to attend, RSVP to 315-472-7504 ext. 1349 or smenzari@hoacny.com.
Young Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group
315-472-7504, ext. 1068
This group meets in-person on the first Wednesday of every month, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, 5008 Brittonfield Pkwy., East Syracuse, on the 3rd floor, in the boardroom. It is a self-help, open support group for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s with a diagnosis of breast cancer, and it addresses their unique challenges. these patients. Those planning to attend, RSVP to 315-472-7504 ext. 1068 or pcoffey@hoacny.com.
• Hope for Heather Ovarian Cancer Foundation
P.O. Box 2208, Liverpool, NY 13089
support@hopeforheather.org • www.hopeforheather.org
Hope for Heather is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to raise funds to support ovarian cancer research, promote education and awareness, and help to provide comfort to women and their families devastated by cancer. Its support group, Sisters in Strength, is open to all women living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers.
• The Saint Agatha Foundation
c/o National Philanthropic Trust, 165 Township Line Road, Suite 1200, Jenkintown, PA 19046 • 888-878-7900
saintagathafoundation@nptrust.org • www.saintagathafoundation.org
Saint Agatha Foundation was founded by Syracuse native Laurie Mezzalingua, who died in 2009 after a 12-year fight with the breast cancer. The Foundation’s mission – and promise to Laurie – is to provide financial assistance to qualified individuals in Central New York who are afflicted with the disease, enabling them to focus on treatment, not their bills. Saint Agatha Foundation is unique in that its support is made available to patients through grants given to a network of exceptional medical and non medical service providers located in Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, and Jefferson counties.
• Susan G. Komen Breast Care Helpline
1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
helpline@komen.org • www.komen.org
It provides information about breast health, local and national resources.
• Syracuse Community Health Center
Women’s Health Division, 819 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202 • 315-476-7921
The SCH treats women at every state of life, from prenatal care to mammography and routine wellness visits. The gynecologic and obstetric services include annual exams; mammography; contraception and family planning; STD and vaginal infection testing; Pap smears; management of abnormal Pap smears; regular prenatal visits; ultrasounds; fetal testing; genetic testing; postpartum care and ambulatory care. It partners with Crouse and Upstate Community Hospitals for obstetric deliveries.
• 13thirty Cancer Connect
1035 Seventh N. St., Suite E, Liverpool, NY 13088
1000 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14620
585-563-6221
13thirty Cancer Connect, Inc. is a nonprofit organization established in 2001 following the death of Melissa Sengbusch, who was 19 years old when she died of acute myeloid leukemia. Through peer support programs like fitness and nutrition, expressive arts, and meaningful social interaction, 13thirty Cancer Connect is helping teens and young adults with cancer live their very best lives.
• Upstate Mobile Mammography Van
315-464-2588
www.upstate.edu/mobile-mammography
Upstate University Hospital offers breast cancer screening with a mobile mammography van. The private, self-contained unit is on the road and serving women in the greater Central New York region. The website offers a schedule of screening events and the ability to make appointments.
• The Baldwin Fund
The Baldwin Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to achieving prevention and, through research, finding a cure for breast cancer. The Fund has provided critical funding for cancer research in Central New York, and now the Baldwin Family is supporting finding a cure for all cancers by embarking on a $50 million campaign to help Upstate Cancer Center achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation — the gold standard for cancer programs. It represents national recognition for innovative research and excellence in patient care.
• YMCA’s Cancer Survivors Programs
Participants have to be Y members to sign up for these programs, but membership is often included or subsidized as part of certain programs. For those programs offered at multiple locations, visit ymcacny.org for info on specific sites.
The Kaye Center for Cancer Wellness
Northwest Family YMCA, 8040 River Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 • 315-303-5966
The Kaye Center for Cancer Wellness at the Northwest Family YMCA is designed to meet the specific needs of men and women battling cancer by offering them a comfortable environment to socialize, exercise, and recharge. It includes a reading area, a small waterfall, a gathering space, a small exercise area, a balcony and a meditation room.
Laurie’s Hope Breast Cancer Support Program
Multiple YMCA of CNY locations
315-303-5966 x232
Laurie’s Hope is a program offered by YMCA that provides support and resources to breast cancer survivors and their families/caregivers. The program is designed to help breast cancer survivors reclaim their health while establishing sustainable practices to maintain their health and well-being. With the variety of programs and offerings available to survivors, coupled with the support from knowledgeable staff and peers, each survivor is able to find a well-being regime that works for them and suits their needs. Visit ymcacny.org for info.
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA
Multiple YMCA of CNY locations
340 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a group exercise and group support program for cancer survivors in the community. The 12-week program focuses on improving the survivor’s strength, fitness, and quality of life. In addition to physical benefits, the program also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors and their families. It provides a supportive community where people impacted by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond.