Free Products and Services for Childhood/YA Cancer Patients

Free Products and Services for Childhood and YA Cancer Patients
This page was originally published October 8, 2020 and updated February 26, 2024.

Free Programs for Childhood/YA Cancer Patients & Families

Any cancer diagnosis brings with it many questions, concerns, and support requirements. While there are free national resources available regardless of cancer type, it is often true that patients and families are best served by specialized programs that understand those unique needs. If your family is coping with a childhood or young-adult cancer diagnosis, customized help is available to you.    

The free programs, products, and services below are specifically designed to help support children and young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. This section includes no-cost financial assistance programs are tailored just for young cancer patients and help pay for travel, housing, treatment, copays, deductibles, and prescriptions. In addition, you will also find specialized no-cost programs for peer and professional counseling and free gifts to help with the many burdens that accompany this diagnosis.

All support services and products listed here for children and YA cancer patients are provided completely free of charge for patients, caregivers, and family living throughout the United States. If you need assistance finding a program, please reach out to us and we will help you. ❤️

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If you have a program, product, or service you think would benefit our readers, please let us know about it here.

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
Premiums, Copays & Deductibles

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (855) 698-4223
Email: customerservice@uhccf.org

Description:

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation provides help to cover out-of-pocket insurance expenses up to $5000 ($10,000 lifetime max) for children under 16 who are receiving care in the US and whose family meets income eligibility guidelines based on family size. To see if you qualify for assistance and to complete an online application, see this link on the website.


St Jude Medical Care for Children and Young Adults with Cancer
Free Pro Support

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (888) 226-4343
Contact: Get in Touch

Description:

Medical Care and treatment for children and young adults with cancer. Call or email St. Jude for referral information directly using the contact information above or a member of your current care team can contact the Physician / Patient Referral Office to initiate a referral request. If you prefer to submit your request on the website, please click here for the online referral form.


Compassion Cant Wait Grant Program
Free Grants

Compassion Can't Wait Grant Program

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (310)-276-7111
Email: info@compassioncantwait.org

Description:

The Compassion Can’t Wait national grant program pays for urgent everyday needs during a child’s treatment and when all other resources are exhausted. Eligible single-parent families must reside in the USA and have demonstrated financial need. To apply, please work with your hospital social worker to complete the online form here.


Giving Angels Free Grant for Childhood Cancer Patients
Free Grants

Giving Angels Foundation Grant Program

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (267) 332-1320
Email: grants@givingangelsfoundation.org

Description:

The Giving Angels Foundation provides grants nationwide to low-income families in the USA who have a member under 18 suffering from the physical effects of cancer. This program can pay for things like life-changing equipment, medical supplies, essential family bills, specialized camps, and therapeutic toys. There is a $500 maximum one-time grant allowance per recipient family. To apply for this grant program, please visit this link.


ACCF Financial Assistance Program
Free Grants

ACCF Financial Grant Programs

Main URL: Visit

Description:

ACCF has three financial grant programs for families in the USA whose child is receiving cancer treatment in the USA with the goal of providing financial support to ease burdens in order to promote a focus on their children’s wellbeing instead. To apply, please visit this link.


Sparrow Clubs Financial Assistance
Free Grants

Sparrow Clubs Grant Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Grant program for patients in the USA who are 17 years old or under and whose family is facing financial difficulty due to treatment-related expenses.  Awards are based on need and can cover medical bills, insurance premiums, deductibles and prescriptions as well as household expenses like family travel costs, lodging, meals, and groceries. Please complete this form to request help.


BplusFoundationGrantsforYACancerPatients
Free Grants

The B+ Foundation Grant Program

Main URL: Visit
Email: assistance@bepositive.org

Description:

The B+ Foundation Grant Program was created in loving memory of the founders’ son to help support the needs of people diagnosed at a young age with cancer. This grant program covers expenses related to the care and treatment of a child/young adult diagnosed before the age of 21. Grants are available once per year with a two-time lifetime limit. Payments are paid to creditors directly. Visit this link to download the application.


The Samfund Free Grant for Cancer Patients
Free Grants

The Samfund for YA Survivors of Cancer

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (617) 938-3484
Email: grants@thesamfund.org

Description:

The Samfund provides monetary grants from $1000-$4000 to US residents ages 21-39 who have completed treatment and are still struggling financially due to a cancer diagnosis. For information on the next open application period, see this page or email grants@thesamfund.org for answers to your questions about this grant program.


Special Love
Free Grants

Special Love Financial Assistance

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (888) 930-2707

Description:

Special Love offers emergency financial assistance up to $500 to help families who are dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis.  Grant requests must come from your doctor, social worker, or hospital representative. For more on the grant program, eligibility and status, please call toll-free (888) 930-2707 or visit this page for the online application.


The Rally Foundation
Free Grants

The Rally Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@rallyfoundation.org

Description:

The Family Emergency Fund Grant from Rally Foundation provides up to $500 in a year ($750 lifetime max per person) to help cover expenses like the patient’s cancer-related medical bills or other family costs related to treatment (i.e.: utilities, mortgage, rent, transitional housing, etc.). Patient must be in treatment and under 21 years of age.  For application, visit the website form here.


Family Reach
Free Grants

Family Reach YA Grant Program

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (973) 394-1411

Description:

Grants for families facing a childhood cancer. Awards may be used for things like every day needs (rent, car payments/insurance, utilities), transportation to obtain treatment, lodging, day care, palliative care, and other costs not covered by insurance. Grant amounts vary and are based on financial need. To apply for this grant program, please visit this page for the online application portal.


National Grace Foundation Scholarships for Young Cancer Patients
Free Scholarships

National GRACE Foundation Scholarship Services

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The National GRACE Foundation’s College Awareness Program provides free college admission, financial aid counseling, and advocacy services nationwide to pediatric cancer patients anywhere in the USA. This foundation helps make it financially feasible for pediatric cancer fighters to go to college. If you were a young cancer patient and now want to make college a reality, please visit this program page to sign up for their no-cost services.


Izzy Foundation Free Scholarships for Cancer Patients
Free Scholarships

The Izzy Foundation Scholarship

Main URL: Visit
Email: scholarships@theizzyfoundation.org

Description:

This scholarship program provides $1000 to pediatric cancer patients and siblings. Must be USA resident and diagnosed before the age of 25. Essay and letter of recommendation required. Applications accepted March 1-May 1 each year. Click this link for the application.


Base 2 Summit Vacation Program
Free Vacations & Day Trips

Base2Summit Vacation Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Free six-day vacation program sponsored by the Cassie Hines nonprofit foundation for young adults in the USA who’ve been diagnosed with cancer. Adventures include hiking, canoeing, and exploring the Mitten with some down time on one of Michigan’s supreme lakes. The program encourages you to try new things and meet other people who understand what you’re going through because they’ve been there, too. To apply for the next session, please visit this link.


HopeKids free activities for kids with cancer
Free Vacations & Day Trips

HopeKids Free Events

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (800) 319-5845
Email: info@hopekids.org

Description:

The HopeDay program offers fun and totally free events and activities for the whole family of a child age 0-18 who has a life-threatening medical condition. Activities are planned every month and include things like attending sporting events and concerts, going to the theater, museum visits and other things to do that involve the whole family. For more and to submit an application, visit this page.


Project Koru
Free Vacations & Day Trips

Project Koru Camp

Main URL: Visit
Email: programs@projectkoru.org

Description:

A free, three-to-six day outdoor adventure for cancer survivors age 18-39. From the website “We use adventure-based experiences such as surfing, outrigger canoeing, standup paddling, skiing, and snowboarding, as channels of healing and renewal to treat the mind, body, and soul.” To check out retreat options and schedule, please visit this page for current offerings.


First Descents free vacations for cancer patients
Free Vacations & Day Trips

First Descents Camp

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@firstdescents.org

Description:

Outdoor adventure program for young adults between the ages of 18-39 who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Free of cost for first-time participants with food, lodging, instruction, gear, and activities covered. Travel costs may be covered. Contact First Descents for more on this and other aspects of this program here.


Sunshine Foundation Free Wish Program
Special Wishes

The Sunshine Foundation Wish Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The Sunshine Foundation fulfills wishes for patients in the USA ages three to eighteen whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to financial strain that the child’s illness may cause. Annual income limits apply and currently cannot exceed $75,000. To make a wish for your young loved one and family, please visit this link.


Starlight Children’s Foundation Wishes Program
Special Wishes

Starlight Children’s Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Contact: Get in Touch

Description:

The Starlight Star Visits program offer hospitalized children (and their families) an opportunity to meet some of their favorite actors, entertainers, athletes and characters. This program is coordinated at hospitals across the country. To find your participating hospital, please email using the contact form link above.


Clayton Dabney Grant for Cancer Patients
Special Wishes

Clayton Dabney Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Email: Lauren@claytondabney.org

Description:

Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer is a national nonprofit that provides gifts, wishes, and financial assistance up to $2500 for children to 18 (21 in some cases) in the USA in late-stage cancer to facilitate quality of family life and create everlasting memories. This wish program is based on financial need. For an application, please have your oncologist or other treating medical professional visit this link.


Make-A-Wish America
Special Wishes

Make-A-Wish America

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (800) 722-9474

Description:

Wishes granted for kids faced with life-threatening illness who are between 2½ and 18 at the time of referral and who has not received a wish from this or any other wish-granting organization. To submit a wish request on behalf of a child, please visit this page for the Make-A-Wish online submission form.


Ronal McDonald Housing Charity
Free Transportation & Housing

Ronald McDonald Housing Program

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (630) 623-7048
Email: info@rmhc.org

Description:

Ronald McDonald Housing Programs are a home away from home that provide comfort, support and resources to families in the USA who travel far from home while receiving medical care for their child 18 and under. Please visit this link to find your local chapter and request free national housing assistance while your child is in treatment.


NCCS Transportation Assistance Fund for Childhood Cancer Patients
Free Transportation & Housing

NCCS Transportation Assistance Fund

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (800) 532-6459

Description:

The NCCS Transportation Assistance Fund provides help with transportation and housing expenses such as mileage, airfare and lodging when a child diagnosed under the age of 18 and treated before the age of 21 has to stay near the hospital for cancer treatment and no nonprofit lodging is available. For current income limits and online application, please see this link.


Cassie Hines Travel Grant
Free Transportation & Housing

CHSCF Travel Assistance Program

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (586) 322-0991
Email: travel@cassiehinesshoescancer.org

Description:

The CHSCF Travel Assistance program helps to cover travel expenses to and from certain young-adult camps and retreats in the USA. This is a one-time travel grant for citizens of the United States. Eligibility is based on financial need and current funding. Applications must be received at least three weeks prior to departure date.  To apply, please visit this link.


Cerner Charitable Foundation Free Medical Equipment for Cancer Patients
Free Medical Equipment

Cerner Charitable Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (816) 201-1569
Email: casegrants@cerner.com

Description:

Cerner Charitable Foundation (formerly Firsthand Foundation) provides funding for necessary medical equipment like wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc. for children to age 18, and to 21 for children with a child-like mental state. Eligibility is based on financial need. For application and current max income amounts, please visit this link.


Locks of Love Free Wigs for Children
Free Hats, Wigs & Scarves

Locks of Love

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Free wig program for children under the age of 21 in the USA who have been diagnosed with cancer and have experienced treatment-related hair loss. Applications are available on the website or can be mailed. To apply for this no-cost national program, please visit this link.


children-with-hair-loss-logo2
Free Hats, Wigs & Scarves

Children with Hair Loss (CWHL)

Main URL: Visit
Contact: Get in Touch

Description:

This program provides custom wigs to kids experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatments. Free wigs and professional styling services are available for all children to age 21 in the USA who have a medical need that is verified by a medical doctor. For free online application, please visit this link. You can also print and mail the application in if that’s your preference.


Free Wigs for Children with Cancer
Free Hats, Wigs & Scarves

Wigs for Kids

Main URL: Visit
Contact: Get in Touch

Description:

Free wigs for kids who have experienced hair loss due to cancer. All children 18 and younger with a medical referral are eligible. The child will receive a custom wig based on needs and preferences and will work with a local stylist to make sure the fit is right. To find out more about this program and to complete an application online, please visit this page.


Hats Off for Cancer
Free Hats, Wigs & Scarves

Hats Off for Cancer

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@hatsoffforcancer.org

Description:

Hats Off for Cancer provides free hats for kids and teens who are experiencing hair loss due to treatment. Hats Off For Cancer has donated nearly 3,000,000 brand new hats to hospitals, camps, and individuals worldwide since 1996. Request your free hat here using their online Google form.


Lukes Fastbreaks Care Package
Free Care Packages

Luke’s Fastbreaks Care Package

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Three free medical shirts for cancer patients in the USA age 0-21. This national nonprofit organization strives to promote normalcy and restore dignity during treatment by replacing the hospital gown with three free unique medical shirts. Shipping is also free. To select your shirt package including size and color preference, please visit this page on the Luke’s Fastbreaks website.


Cancer Relief Foundation Care Packages for Cancer Patients
Free Care Packages

Cancer Relief Foundation Care Package

Main URL: Visit

Description:

This teen-led organization works hard to bring thoughtful care packages to childhood cancer patients in the USA. Each care package includes items specifically chosen to match the recipient’s interests as well as a handwritten letter to offer hope and encouragement. To request your free care package, please use this link and choose the Childhood Cancer Care Package option to complete the request form online.


Binkeez Free Blanket
Free Care Packages

Binkeez Blankets

Main URL: Visit

Description:

This nonprofit organization generously provides warm comfy blankets to babies and children to 18 in the USA hospitalized with serious illness. Requests can be made by a parent, family member and/or legal guardian of the blanket recipient and Binkeez will work directly with your care center for delivery. Complete this form to request your Binkeez blanket.


Roc Solid Foundation Free Care Package for Children with Cancer
Free Care Packages

Roc Solid Foundation

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Roc Solid Foundation provides free care packages in the form of Ready Bags. These Ready Bags include essentials for unexpected hospital stays including toiletries, a blanket, a journal, a tablet and more and are sent to let every family know they are not alone as they begin this journey. If your oncology team does not have access to this program, email Roc Solid directly to request your Ready Bag.


love your melon free hat for cancer patients
Free Care Packages

Love Your Melon

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Love Your Melon generously provides free knitted hats for children in the USA currently in cancer treatment. These soft knitted hats are made from comfy cotton and designed to provide comfort to a child battling this disease. Please apply for your free hat on behalf of a child in cancer treatment here.


pablove free photography care kit
Free Care Packages

PabLove Foundation

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Pablove Shutterbugs is a free program from The Pablove Foundation that offers children and teens a creative voice through photography. This program is open to cancer patients ages 6-18 in the USA who are currently living with cancer or in remission. All lessons and materials, including a camera kit, are provided at no-cost to cancer families. Please visit this link to apply.


Lock Boxes of Love Free Care Package for Cancer Patient Siblings
Free Care Packages

Lock Boxes of Love

Main URL: Visit

Description:

In honor of the founder’s son, Chase Lock, Lock Boxes of Love sends personalized care kits free of charge to the siblings (ages 0-18) of childhood cancer patients in the USA. These gift boxes are tailored to the age, gender and specific likes of each child and may contain items like books, stuffed animals, toys, blankets and more. To request a free care package for a child whose sibling has been diagnosed with cancer, please complete this online form.


Kylie Rowand Free Care Package for Cancer Patients
Free Care Packages

Kylie Rowand Care Package

Main URL: Visit

Description:

A thoughtful and generous care package program created in honor of the founder’s daughter Kylie who passed away from cancer.  This free care package program for childhood cancer patients in the USA who are in active treatment. Each care package is uniquely customized for the specific recipient. Please complete the online request form here.


Cool Kids Campaign Free Care Packages for Cancer Patients
Free Care Packages

Cool Kids Campaign

Main URL: Visit
Contact: Get in Touch

Description:

The Cool Kids Campaign provides care packages for kids with cancer that are delivered right to the child’s doorstep. These free care packages are matched to a child’s age and interests by caring volunteers and include a gift to brighten a child’s day. This program requires an online application which can be found here and, in addition, a note from a medical professional that confirms the child is under medical care for cancer.


childrensbraintumorfoundationlogo
Free Care Packages

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (866) 228-4673
Email: info@cbtf.org

Description:

CBTF provides age-appropriate care kits including information and activities to comfort kids and to support families so that they know they don’t have to face a brain tumor diagnosis alone. To order a care kit for yourself or loved one, please fill out the referral form here.  https://cbtf.org/cbtf-care-kits/. For free online professional support services by trained social workers to help patients, survivors, family members and friends, visit this page. Immediate assistance is also available by phone (866) 228-4673 or email info@cbtf.org.


American Childhood Cancer Organization free Comfort Kit for Kids
Free Care Packages

ACCO Comfort Kit

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (855) 858-2226

Description:

Free comfort care package available nationwide to children up to age 18 to help them feel empowered and more confident with upcoming treatments. Kits include duffel bag, soft blanket, pillow case with the ACCO mascot, and playing cards. For more on this free kit and other free resources for kids and parents, please visit the ACCO’s website for the online request form.


Free Care Packages for Cancer Patients and Families

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