Free Peer Support

Free Peer Support Programs for Cancer Patients and Families
This page was originally published January 10, 2018 and updated September 20, 2024.

Free Cancer Support (Peer to Peer)

Getting the support needed after a cancer diagnosis is so very important.  The listings below include free nationwide programs that offer one-to-one mentoring and support for anyone affected by cancer – including patients, families, and friends — by people who have similar life experiences.

Matches are customized based on similar diagnoses, treatment, as well as life circumstances, and values.  Please know you are not alone; there are people who want to help. Sessions are available online and over the phone at your convenience. 

There’s no two ways about it. Cancer is a difficult journey from the start.  If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, it can be so helpful to talk to someone else who’s been through the same thing. Please reach out to a program below and get the support you need today. ❤️

If you find errors or outdated information in any of these listings please click here to let us know about it.

HopeWell Free Cancer Support Programs

HopeWell Peer Support Programs

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Free online peer support groups for all people with cancer in the USA, their families and loved ones via Zoom. Support groups are available for patients, cancers, caregivers, couples, families, as well as cancer-specific programs, too. Please complete this form on the HopeWell Cancer Support website to enroll in the next upcoming sessions.


Patients Like Me Peer Support

Patients Like Me Online Peer Support

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Online peer support program for cancer patients. Find personalized answers, offer advice, and get support from people who share a similar cancer diagnosis and can understand what you are going through. Patients Like Me invites you to “join over 850,000 members harnessing the power of their health insights through shared experience.” Visit this link to sign up for free.


Cancer Pathways National Support Program

Cancer Pathways Online Peer Support

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Cancer Pathways is a national nonprofit organization that offers free support groups for cancer patients that are facilitated by licensed clinical social workers. Sessions last 30-120 minutes and are held virtually through Zoom. To connect with others, please complete the interest form on this page.


Facing Cancer Together Peer Support Program

FCT Online Peer Support

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Facing Cancer Together (FCT) is a national nonprofit that coordinates weekly support groups for people living with a cancer diagnosis. Group meetings are designed to be warm, supportive, and safe with the goal of creating a sense of community while finding ways to cope with the many uncertainties that accompanies this disease. To view upcoming sessions and speak to an enrollment specialist, please visit this link.


A Fresh Chapter Free Peer Support Programs for Cancer Patients

A Fresh Chapter Peer Support

Main URL: Visit

Description:

A Fresh Chapter offers inspirational and engaging online programs with the support tools, resources, and community to help cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers reclaim their stories and define what’s next. Many different peer support programs are available. To view the current offerings, please visit this link.


CanCare Free Support for Cancer Patients

CanCare Cancer Support

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (888) 999-6959

Description:

Personalized one-on-one emotional support for cancer patients and loved ones Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Central.  CanCare helps you connect with a volunteer survivor or caregiver to discuss healthcare issues and receive emotional support. Support volunteers are matched based on cancer type, treatments, desires, age, and gender. Review more about the program information and fill out the form for help here.


Cancer Hope Network Free Peer Support for Cancer Patients

Cancer Hope Network

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (877) 467-3638 (English and Spanish)
Email: info@cancerhopenetwork.org

Description:

Free one-on-one mentoring and support services for cancer patients and their families in both the U.S. and Canada. The Cancer Hope Network has hundreds of mentors who understand what you’re going through and want to help. To get matched to a volunteer mentor, please complete this online form.


I Had Cancer Free Peer Support

I Had Cancer Peer Support Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

I Had Cancer is a free online peer support program for all cancer patients in the USA.  Join a cancer support community where patients share firsthand experiences about treatment, side effects, long-term effects and more. The website includes an online forum that allows you to connect with survivors by cancer type, age and location. Visit this link to join.


Pickles Peer Support for Kids

Pickles Group

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Free peer-to-peer support and resources to kids affected by their parent or guardian’s cancer. Program is available nationwide. The Pickles Group coordinates communities of kids supporting kids during and beyond their parents’ cancer journeys. Kids are provided opportunities to learn and have fun and support each other along the way. To find out more, visit this link for info and the enrollment form.


Cancer Survivor Network

Cancer Survivors Network

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Free space to create an online journal, share photos, and give and receive support from an online community that understands the cancer journey because they are living it, too. This peer support network is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and has very active forums and discussion groups for patients and caregivers alike. Sign up for free here.


My life line Free online support community

MyLifeLine Support Community

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (888) 234-2468
Email: support@mylifeline.org

Description:

Free online support community for cancer patients and caregivers in the USA.  Connect with people who understand what you’re going through in a compassionate setting. Choose from various discussion boards that are tailored to your needs and interests, start a calendar of events, assign tasks, and more. To take a tour of the community features and sign up, please visit this link on the MyLifeLine website.


cancersupportcommunitylogo

Cancer Support Community

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (888) 793-9355 (M-F 9:00 am to 9:00 pm EST)
Email: help@cancersupportcommunity.org

Description:

Cancer Support Helpline offers a free online peer support group called the Living Room that’s facilitated by a licensed counselor. Services available include short-term counseling and emotional assistance for patients and families dealing with cancer. For more about the free online support group, please visit this page or call (888)793-9355 9AM-9PM M-F EST for immediate assistance.


Imerman Angels Peer Support Program

Imerman Angels

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (877) 274-5529
Email: info@Imerman-Angels.org

Description:

Free peer support for cancer patients and their families via telephone, email, video chat, and face-to-face options. Per the website, “These 1–on–1 relationships inspire hope and offer the chance to ask personal questions and receive support from someone who is uniquely familiar with the experience.” To find out more or request a mentor, please visit this link.

 


Friend for Life Free Peer Support Program for Cancer Patients

Friend for Life Cancer Support Network

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (866) 374-3634 (English and Spanish)
Email: staff@friend4life.org

Description:

A network of cancer survivors who provide free one-on-one support to cancer patients and their families. Matches are customized based on similar diagnoses, treatment, as well as life circumstances, and values. To submit a request for help, call (866) 374-3634 or visit this page of the Friend for Life website and complete the online form for assistance.


Climb Group Free Peer Support for Kids

CLIMB Group Free Peer Support Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Free national online peer support program sponsored by the Children’s Treehouse Foundation for children aged 5-18 who have a parent, grandparent or loved one with cancer. Meeting online one night per week, this program helps demystify cancer, teaches coping skills, and provides a safe place for kids and teenagers to talk about difficult feelings. To view upcoming sessions and register, please visit this link.


4th Angel Cancer Mentoring Program

4th Angel Mentoring Program

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (866) 520-3197 (English)
Email: 4thangel@ccf.org

Description:

The 4th Angel Mentoring Program offers free telephone-based support from someone who has successfully made the same cancer journey you are about to begin – the journey towards recovery. To get matched with a mentor, call the number above.


More Help Free Cancer-Specific Programs and Services

Personalized Help

Check out our free cancer-specific programs and services here.

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Cancer Care News is a non-profit 501(c)(3) sharing evidence-based cancer updates & financial resources for patients & families in the USA. Please share the information you find helpful with others in need.

4 Comments

    • You are most welcome, Jenna. We are thrilled to share links to services that help support cancer patients, families, and caregivers.

  1. Hello. I am the wife of a cancer patient. He is in the fourth stage of Prospate Cancer. We have been on a stressful journey in the past two to three years. What we are looking for is to take vacation and get away from all the other stresses of life! I to am a Cancer survivor!If you could help us to be connected to resources that would help us to go on a vacation! I would really appreciate that! Thank you!

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