For nearly 100 years, the American Cancer Society has been a comforting presence in nearly every community across the country, offering breast cancer programs and support to help people facing breast cancer in their time of need. We are proud that money raised from Making Strides Against Breast Cancer helps the American Cancer Society provide free breast cancer programs and resources to patients and their families. Below are a few programs we offer for people facing breast cancer. Availability may vary by location.
For 30 years, the American Cancer Society has connected newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with trained breast cancer survivors who have "been there" through our Reach to Recovery® program. These dedicated volunteers already understand the physical and mental challenges, as well as the positive milestones, associated with the disease, and they help women and men cope with every step of their breast cancer experience. Reach to Recovery volunteers give patients and family members an opportunity to express feelings, talk about fears and concerns, and ask questions. Most importantly, they offer understanding, support, and hope because they have survived breast cancer and have gone on to live fulfilling, productive lives.
Click here to learn more about the American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery program and to see if one is available in your area.
The Look Good...Feel Better® program is a free, community-based, national service that helps women learn beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Volunteer beauty professionals lead small groups, usually consisting of 6 to 10 women, through practical, hands-on experience. In a fun, encouraging environment, women learn about skin care, makeup techniques, nail care, and options related to hair loss such as wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each program participant receives a free kit of cosmetics for use during and after the workshop. For patients who are unable to attend a group workshop, a free, one-time, individual salon consultation with a volunteer cosmetologist may be available. A free self-help brochure for men also is available.
The Look Good...Feel Better program is offered by the American Cancer Society in collaboration with the Personal Care Products Council and the National Cosmetology Association. All cosmetology volunteers attend a 4-hour certification class. Click here for more information about the Look Good…Feel Better program.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors NetworkSM is an online community of cancer survivors, caregivers, families, friends, and anyone who has been touched by cancer and would like to share their experience, strength, and hope. This noncommercial Web site provides a private, secure way to find and communicate with others who share similar interests and experiences. You control access to your personal information, such as your email address. The Cancer Survivors Network was created by and for those who have experienced cancer firsthand in the hope that, together, we will all find strength and inspiration from sharing our personal stories and expressions of hope. Click here for more information about the American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network.
Our online mammogram reminder system enables women to sign up to receive a free email message each year reminding them to "Please, schedule your yearly mammogram." The mammogram reminder also allows people to send reminders to the women they care about so they will also remember to get their yearly mammograms. Click here to sign up for a free email mammogram reminder.
To learn more about the many programs the American Cancer Society offers to help people with breast cancer and those available in your area, please visit www.cancer.org/breastcancer or call us at 1-800-227-2345, anytime, day or night.
