Community Resources for Breast Cancer Patients
If you have received the support available to you from the Josette Beddell Memorial Foundation, you are not alone in what comes next. The organizations below were recommended by members of our community, and many offer their help at no cost.
Services, eligibility and contact details can change, so please reach out to each organization directly to confirm what they offer and how to apply.
Find Help by region below:
-
Babcia's Little Pantry
A free little pantry, like a little free library but for food. Anyone can stop by any time, day or night, and take what they need. No questions, no qualifications and no paperwork.
Who is eligible: Anyone
Area served: Canton area
How to get help: Visit the pantry. Find details at babciaspantry.wixsite.com/babcia
Cancer Assistance Support Team (CAST)
Financial assistance, utility assistance and help with medical or prescription costs for people in treatment for cancer.
Who is eligible: Cancer patients of any age, with any type or stage of cancer
Area served: Stark County
How to get help: Apply on the website at cancerassistancesupportteam.com, or call Deb Riley, Client Intake, at 330-833-4214
Compassion Delivered, Inc.
Free weekly meal deliveries and support groups. The program is completely free, and income does not matter.
Who is eligible: Men, women and children living in Stark County who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease
Area served: Stark County
How to get help: Complete the application at compassiondelivered.org
Aultman Cancer Center Support Services
Support groups and services through Aultman Hospital in Canton, including:
Woman-to-Woman Cancer Support Group: meets monthly and is open to women of all ages with cancer. Call 330-324-6199.
Caregiver Connection Support Group: free monthly group for anyone caring for a person with cancer. Call 330-363-3482.
Free Wig Salon: new wigs and fittings at no cost for patients going through cancer treatment. Call 330-363-1224.
More details:
Who is eligible: Varies by program, and some services are only for Aultman patients. Call to confirm.
Area served: Stark County
How to get help: Call the number listed for each program, or reach Aultman's cancer nurse navigators at 330-363-6011. Learn more at aultman.org
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Cancer Center
A free, confidential Cancer Information Line and breast cancer nurse navigators. The Mercy Hospital Boutique offers breast forms, mastectomy bras, wigs, turbans and compression products, with certified fitters available by appointment.
Who is eligible: The Cancer Information Line is open to patients, former patients, caregivers and family members
Area served: Stark County (1320 Mercy Drive NW, Canton)
How to get help: Call the Cancer Information Line at 330-430-2788 or 1-888-293-4673. Call the Boutique at 330-456-9960. Learn more at clevelandclinic.org
Stewart's Caring Place
Non-medical wellness centers in Fairlawn and Canton offering individual and group services to anyone impacted by cancer. Services include:
Support groups and private counseling
Financial and legal consultations
Massage and Reiki sessions
Wig fitting, clothing and beauty classes
Fitness and nutrition classes
Family parties and connection programs
All services are free.
Who is eligible: Anyone impacted by cancer, whether you have a diagnosis, are supporting a loved one or are grieving a loss
Area served: Summit and Stark Counties and Northeast Ohio
How to get help: Complete the online intake form, call 330-836-1772 or email info@stewartscaringplace.org. Learn more at stewartscaringplace.org
-
Embrace Pink Breast Cancer Support Center
Financial assistance, utility assistance and support groups, plus bras, prosthetics, surgery items, gift items, events and other services. Their new nonprofit, Pink with Purpose, is just getting started and will offer more assistance, events and services for women during their journey.
Who is eligible: Depends on the program
Area served: Summit and surrounding counties, or anyone willing to travel to the center
How to get help: Visit embrace.pink
Non-medical wellness centers in Fairlawn and Canton offering individual and group services to anyone impacted by cancer. Services include:
Support groups and private counseling
Financial and legal consultations
Massage and Reiki sessions
Wig fitting, clothing and beauty classes
Fitness and nutrition classes
Family parties and connection programs
All services are free.
Who is eligible: Anyone impacted by cancer, whether you have a diagnosis, are supporting a loved one or are grieving a loss
Area served: Summit and Stark Counties and Northeast Ohio
How to get help: Complete the online intake form, call 330-836-1772 or email info@stewartscaringplace.org. Learn more at stewartscaringplace.org
Cleveland Clinic Akron General McDowell Cancer Center
Resource counselors help with emotional, financial, practical and insurance questions, and can connect you with counseling and community resources. A Wig Boutique is located in the McDowell Cancer Center lobby.
Who is eligible: Cancer patients; if you are treated elsewhere, call to ask what is available to you
Area served: Summit County (Akron)
How to get help: Call the resource line at 330-344-HOPE (4673). Call the Wig Boutique at 330-344-6922. Learn more at clevelandclinic.org
Support programs in Akron, Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls, including:
Beacons of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group: for women diagnosed with breast cancer at any point in their journey. Meets monthly at the Jean and Milton Cooper Pavilion, 161 N. Forge St., Akron. Call 330-375-7082.
Look Good Feel Better: classes that help women in cancer treatment manage appearance-related side effects. Registration is required. Call 330-375-7280 for the Akron class.
More details:
Who is eligible: Women with cancer; call to confirm if you are treated outside Summa
Area served: Summit County
How to get help: Call the number listed for each program. Learn more at summahealth.org
-
A free summer camp for kids whose parent has or had cancer. Camp Kesem is a positive, fun experience, and there are chapters all over Ohio.
Who is eligible: Children ages 6 to 18 who have or had a parent with cancer
Area served: Chapters across Ohio
How to get help: Find a chapter and sign up at kesem.org
Financial assistance and food access. Hats of Hope also collects and gives hats to cancer patients.
Who is eligible: All Ohio residents
Area served: Ohio
How to get help: Email hatsofhopeohio@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/HatsOfHopeOH
Karen P. Nakon Breast Cancer Foundation
Financial assistance and utility assistance for breast cancer patients facing financial hardship because of their diagnosis.
Who is eligible: Breast cancer patients in northern Ohio who have been financially impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis
Area served: Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Lake, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Medina, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Portage, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Van Wert, Wayne, Williams, Wood and Wyandot Counties
How to get help: Download the application (PDF) or visit nakonfoundation.org
My Pink Experience
Financial assistance, utility assistance, food access and support groups for women with breast cancer.
Who is eligible: Women with breast cancer
Area served: All counties
How to get help: Call 330-618-4765
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Cleveland
Free lodging near Cleveland treatment centers for patients who travel from home for outpatient cancer treatment. Guest rooms have private bathrooms, with shared kitchens, free laundry and Wi-Fi.
Who is eligible: Patients in active cancer treatment who are traveling from home for outpatient care. A patient and one caregiver may share a room, and guests must be 18 or older.
Area served: Northern Ohio (11432 Mayfield Road, Cleveland)
How to get help: Ask your doctor or social worker for a referral, or call 216-400-0922. Learn more at cancer.org
Ohio 211
A free 24/7 helpline that connects you with local help for housing, utilities, food, health care, mental health, legal and financial services. As of 2026, 211 is available in every Ohio county, including Stark and Summit.
Who is eligible: Anyone in Ohio
Area served: Ohio
How to get help: Dial 2-1-1 or call 1-888-OHIO-211
Free support for people and families coping with cancer, including support groups for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and women in survivorship. Other services include children and family support, nutrition and exercise programs, a wig salon, massage, Reiki, reflexology, and legal and financial consultations.
Who is eligible: Anyone coping with cancer, and their families
Area served: Greater Cleveland, including a location at MetroHealth's main campus
How to get help: Call 216-778-8204 or visit touchedbycancer.org
-
Encouragement and regular contact during treatment, plus care packages.
Who is eligible: Breast cancer patients for encouragement; all cancer patients for care packages
Area served: Based in Alabama; encouragement and shipping available anywhere
How to get help: Visit graceinpink.com
A 24/7 cancer helpline, free rides to cancer-related appointments through Road To Recovery, free lodging near treatment through Hope Lodge, and one-on-one navigation support.
Who is eligible: Anyone affected by cancer
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Call 1-800-227-2345 any time, or visit cancer.org. Request rides at cancer.org/roadtorecovery
Free counseling with oncology social workers, online support groups and education workshops. Limited financial help is available for transportation, home care, child care, pain medication and lymphedema supplies for breast cancer.
Who is eligible: People affected by cancer
Area served: Nationwide (phone and online)
How to get help: Call 800-813-HOPE (4673) or visit cancercare.org
Two free house cleanings, one per month for two months, from a local partner cleaning company.
Who is eligible: People with any type of cancer who are recovering from surgery, in treatment or in hospice care. Matches depend on a partner being available near you.
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Apply online at cleaningforareason.org. A caregiver, nurse navigator or family member can apply for you with your permission.
Free one-on-one matching with a trained mentor who has been through a similar cancer experience. Caregivers can request a caregiver mentor.
Who is eligible: Cancer patients, survivors and caregivers
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Request a mentor at imermanangels.org or call 866-IMERMAN (463-7626)
Living Beyond Breast Cancer Helpline
Talk with a trained volunteer who has had breast cancer. After you reach out, a volunteer contacts you within two business days. The service is free.
Who is eligible: Anyone affected by breast cancer
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Call 888-753-5222 or fill out the peer match form at lbbc.org/helpline
Free case managers help with insurance problems, appeals, medical debt and cost-of-living expenses. The Co-Pay Relief program helps qualified patients pay for prescription co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles.
Who is eligible: Varies by program
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Call 800-532-5274 or visit patientadvocate.org. For Co-Pay Relief, visit copays.org
Susan G. Komen Breast Care Helpline
Free, personal support from Komen navigators, including education, emotional support, financial assistance and help getting care. Komen's Financial Assistance Program helps eligible people in treatment for breast cancer at any stage and people living with metastatic breast cancer.
Who is eligible: Breast cancer patients, caregivers and family members
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Call 1-877-465-6636 (Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern) or email helpline@komen.org
Short-term help paying non-medical bills, such as rent or mortgage, car payments, car insurance, utilities and health insurance premiums. Payments go directly to the creditor, for up to three months and up to $3,000.
Who is eligible: Breast cancer patients in active treatment (surgery, chemotherapy or radiation) who have lost all or part of their income because of treatment. Some limits apply, including for people receiving SSDI.
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Answer the eligibility questions at pinkfund.org
Free one-on-one help with health insurance, disability insurance, employment, finances and estate planning.
Who is eligible: Cancer patients and caregivers
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Request help at triagecancer.org/gethelp, call 424-258-4628 or email info@triagecancer.org
Free resources for people diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger, including trained peer mentors, local and online support groups, and education programs.
Who is eligible: People diagnosed with breast cancer at 40 or younger
Area served: Nationwide
How to get help: Visit youngsurvival.org
A Note About This List
These resources were shared by members of our community. The Josette Beddell Memorial Foundation does not operate these programs, and listing them here is not an endorsement or a guarantee of services. Please contact each organization directly to confirm eligibility and availability.
Know of a resource that should be on this list? Please complete this form so we can share it with others.
Last updated October 2026