The shop’s Director of Retail Operations, Caroline McKinnon, also encourages donors to remember CancerCare when they are managing an estate, and that all contributions are tax-deductible.

Kristin Bergfeld, who runs an estate service helping families, recently helped a family find a meaningful way to donate items that belonged to their mother:

“A recent client of my company, whose life was tragically ended by cancer, was a professional woman who loved high fashion, especially Yves St. Laurent. When we began work to clear her apartment, I saw that she had a bookshelf in her living room filled with books and articles about cancer, and information about support groups.

When I saw this bookshelf, I immediately thought of CancerCare and its thrift shop.  By donating dozens of her designer clothes and accessories, including shoes, handbags, scarves, and Yves St. Laurent blouses, dresses, jackets, and gowns, her estate helped support CancerCare’s free services for cancer patients and their loved ones.” 

Learn more about the CancerCare Thrift Shop.

To learn more about CancerCare’s financial assistance programs or download an application, visit www.cancercare.org/financial. Or, call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer, which is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women. We offer free support services for anyone affected by metastatic breast cancer, including support groups available online and over the telephone.

View all of our resources for women coping with breast cancer. 

Merkerson is best known for her portrayal of NYPD Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in the long-running NBC series, “Law & Order.” Her character faced an ovarian cancer diagnosis in the drama’s final season.

The series, which focused almost exclusively on solving the case at hand, occasionally explored its characters’ personal challenges, like this scene in which Lt. Van Buren reviews her employer-provided health plan:

Merkerson’s screen credits include Radio, Black Snake Moan and the television movie Lackawanna Blues, for which she won numerous acting awards including an Emmy, Golden Globe and Image Award.

This year’s “Partnerships in Hope” awards dinner will honor Deborah Dunsire, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company.  Dr. Dunsire has more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of pharmaceutical business, and has played a critical role in the development of products that contribute to cancer patient care. Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company is a longtime supporter of CancerCare’s free educational services for people affected by cancer.

Learn more about the “Partnerships in Hope” awards dinner.

A cancer diagnosis can bring many difficult emotions, including fear, anxiety, and a feeling of isolation. Support groups connect you with others in a similar situation who may relate to what you are experiencing.

We offer diagnosis-specific support groups, such as a group for people affected by colorectal cancer, as well as specialized support groups, including groups for men with cancer, young adults with cancer, and parents of children with cancer.

CancerCare’s support groups are led by professional oncology social workers, and are available online, over the telephone, and face-to-face in our offices in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. To learn more about CancerCare‘s telephone and face-to-face support groups or to register, call 800‑813‑HOPE (4673).

Online support groups are password-protected, and members must go through a registration process. After completing the registration process, members can participate 24 hours, 7 days a week. New online support groups will be offered starting February 1.

View all of CancerCare’s free support groups.

CancerCare has compiled these most promising findings in its new booklet, Your Guide to the Latest Cancer Research and Treatments: Highlights from ASCO 2011, available online now. You can also order your free copies from our publications page.

For more than 30 years, the CancerCare Thrift Shop has operated out of a storefront in one of New York City’s toniest neighborhoods offering bargain-hunters a wide selection of new and vintage designer clothing, jewelry, and high-end items for the home—all at discounted prices. Best of all, all proceeds from the store’s sales benefit our free, professional support services for people affected by cancer.

If you’re all set with your holiday shopping, you can also make a donation to the thrift shop. Art, jewelry, furniture, china, crystal, and new or gently worn clothing and accessories are especially welcome.

The shop’s Director of Retail Operations, Caroline McKinnon, also encourages donors to remember CancerCare when they are managing an estate, and that all contributions are tax-deductible. Complete the item donation form ahead of time and bring two copies along with your donation.

Make a visit to the shop, located at 1480 Third Avenue (between 83rd and 84th Streets) in New York City. Do good, and look fabulous!

Learn more about the CancerCare Thrift Shop.

The CancerCare Thrift Shop

CancerCare CEO Helen H. Miller, LCSW writes about the importance of supporting caregivers of people with cancer in the latest issue of Oncology Nurse Advisor. The article provides tips on how oncology nurses can help caregivers of people with cancer receive emotional and practical support.

Read the article.

CancerCare helps anyone affected by cancer, and offers specialized services for caregivers, including online, telephone, and face-to-face support groups—completely free of charge.

Learn more about how we help caregivers of people with cancer.

While the past few years have seen breakthroughs in cancer treatment, these breakthroughs can come with a hefty price tag—even for those with insurance. “The cost of cancer is increasing at a rate of about 15 percent per year, (which is) nearly three times the rate of increase of overall health costs,” explains CancerCare Program Division Director Rosalie Canosa in the article. “It’s mind-boggling. [But] understanding the costs you can expect before you even begin treatment can help you manage the impact more effectively.”

“You can get to that lifetime cap pretty quickly with cancer,” she says. “A lot of policies are capped at $1 million. It doesn’t take long to get there.”

“Start this conversation with your health care team,” Canosa advises. “Often they’re linked to resources, including less-expensive options.”

Read the article, which appears online at www.bankrate.com.

CancerCare offers limited financial assistance for costs associated with cancer treatment, such as transportation to and from treatment, home care, child care, and over-the-counter pain medication. Learn more about our financial assistance programs, or fill out an application for financial help.

The CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation provides up to $10,000 per year in co-payment assistance to eligible individuals with insurance. The foundation currently offers assistance for the following diagnoses:

• Colon or colorectal cancer

• Gastric cancer

• Glioblastoma

• Non-small cell lung cancer

• Pancreatic cancer

• Renal cell cancer

Learn more about the foundation and how to apply for assistance.

Excerpted from “The Last Refrigerator:”

“My wife has Stage IV lung cancer. Given the arc of the disease and the quality of refrigerator design and construction, it is highly probable that this [refrigerator we purchased] will be her last refrigerator. The question is, are we also on our last washing machine, hairdryer or big screen TV?

It is unbelievably painful — but sobering and highly instructive — to look at lung cancer that way. Diagnosed with lung cancer and you’re not talking decades, but kilowatt hours.”

Lung cancer is often referred to as being a “silent killer” due to lack of awareness and patients’ reluctance to discuss their diagnosis.  It is the least-funded of all major cancers, even though the mortality rate of people diagnosed with lung cancer is higher than most other cancers, and more men and women die of lung cancer than breast and prostate cancer combined.

Densen is founder and CEO of Tiller, Inc., a consulting firm based in New York City that works with major corporations to develop marketing programs for causes such as lung cancer awareness. Densen has devoted much of his blog coverage to raising awareness for lung cancer, urging more research and patient support.

Learn more about Tiller, Inc. and Rob Densen.

CancerCare is a participating member of The Global Lung Cancer Coalition. Visit the coalition’s website to learn more about early detection, treatment and supportive care.

CancerCare offers free, professional support services for anyone affected by a lung cancer diagnosis, including an upcoming Connect Education Workshop on December 14, “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Coping with the Loss of Strength.”

To learn more about how we help people affected by lung cancer, visit our lung cancer diagnosis page or www.lungcancer.org.

[Pictured above: Huff Post Blogger and Tiller, Inc. CEO Rob Densen, with Prevent Cancer Foundation Founder and CEO Carolyn "Bo" Aldige in New York City on November 28, 2011]

The term “oral mucositis” refers to mouth sores caused by irritation of the mucosa, soft tissues that cover the tongue and inside of the mouth. Our new booklet offers tips on controlling mouth pain and managing this side effect of some cancer treatments.

Read the booklet or order free copies.

Our new e-booklet, Advances in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma, is now live on www.cancercare.org. The e-booklet describes the different treatment options for multiple myeloma, and offers tips on coping with the emotional and practical challenges of a multiple myeloma diagnosis.

Read the e-booklet.

Like all of CancerCare’s services, our publications are available to you completely free of charge. View all of CancerCare’s in-stock publications.