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Cancer Support Resources in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to some of the world’s most respected cancer institutions, yet a diagnosis here still comes with serious and often underestimated challenges. The concentration of excellence in Boston does not automatically reach every corner of the state — and even for patients close to that excellence, navigating the system, managing costs, and finding non-medical support requires guidance that isn’t built into any hospital visit.
Boston’s cancer care infrastructure is genuinely exceptional. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Brigham and Women’s, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center form one of the most concentrated cancer research and treatment environments in the world. The Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center holds NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center status. For patients who live in or near Boston and can navigate the system effectively, access to leading-edge care — including clinical trials, subspecialty oncology, and comprehensive support services — is real.
But Massachusetts is not just Boston, and the further you are from the city, the more the landscape changes. Western Massachusetts — the Pioneer Valley, the Berkshires, the hill towns of Hampshire and Franklin counties — has real oncology access gaps. Patients in Pittsfield, Greenfield, or Northampton may receive basic cancer care locally but face long drives to Boston or Springfield for subspecialty consultations, surgical oncology, or clinical trials. Those drives are not just inconvenient — for patients managing fatigue, side effects, and complex logistics, they represent a genuine barrier to optimal care.
Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket create a distinct access challenge tied to geography. Cape Cod Hospital and Cape Cod Healthcare provide local oncology services, but complex cases or patients seeking second opinions often require travel to Boston. For island residents, that means a ferry or a small plane — travel that is expensive, weather-dependent, and logistically demanding on top of everything that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Seasonal population swings also affect service availability and access in ways that are unique to coastal resort communities.
Gateway cities — Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Brockton, Holyoke, Springfield — have large immigrant and low-income populations where language barriers, documentation concerns, and distrust of institutions affect both cancer screening rates and willingness to seek support after diagnosis. Spanish and Portuguese are the dominant non-English languages in many of these communities, and several organizations in this directory offer bilingual services and culturally responsive care navigation.
Massachusetts’s industrial and maritime history has left occupational exposure legacies in communities tied to manufacturing, shipbuilding, asbestos use, and chemical production. Former mill towns across the state carry elevated rates of mesothelioma and other occupational cancers. Workers and retirees from these industries may have specific legal and financial options available to them, and several organizations in this directory specialize in occupational cancer support.
The high cost of living in Massachusetts is a genuine stressor for cancer patients, even those with health insurance. Boston area rents, parking costs near major hospitals, and the general cost of sustaining a household on reduced income during treatment place significant financial pressure on families. Financial assistance programs — including hospital-based charity care, state programs, and nonprofit grants — are among the most-requested services in this directory.
Whether you are a patient at Dana-Farber, a caregiver managing appointments across multiple hospitals, or someone in the Berkshires working out how to reach Boston for treatment — the listings below are a starting point. Resources begin with statewide programs, then move into regional sections across the state.
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Statewide Resources
These organizations serve all of Massachusetts — by phone, online, or through regional offices. Start here if you are unsure where to look.
American Cancer Society — Massachusetts
📍 Statewide (multiple programs)
The ACS offers free rides to treatment through Road to Recovery, the Hope Lodge in Boston for patients traveling for care, a 24/7 helpline with information in over 200 languages, and online support communities. Their patient navigators can help you find local resources no matter where you live in the state.
- 24/7 helpline: 1-800-227-2345
- Road to Recovery free transportation
- Hope Lodge free lodging (Boston)
- Support groups and online community
Who: All cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-227-2345
Massachusetts Department of Public Health — Women’s Health Network
📍 Statewide (through local providers)
The state-funded program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured and underinsured Massachusetts residents. If cancer is found, the program connects patients to MassHealth coverage for treatment regardless of immigration status.
- Free mammograms and Pap tests
- Diagnostic follow-up at no cost
- MassHealth enrollment assistance after diagnosis
- Available regardless of immigration status
Who: Uninsured/underinsured women ages 40+ (breast), 21+ (cervical)
Cost: Free
Phone: 877-414-4447
CancerCare
📍 Statewide (phone and online)
CancerCare provides free professional counseling from licensed oncology social workers, online support groups, educational workshops, and financial assistance for copays, transportation, and home care. No referral needed — just call or go online.
- Individual and group counseling (phone, online)
- Financial assistance grants
- Diagnosis-specific workshops
- Caregiver support programs
Who: Cancer patients, caregivers, and bereaved loved ones
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-813-4673
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — New England Chapter
📍 Statewide
LLS focuses on blood cancers and offers generous financial assistance including copay coverage that can reach thousands per year. Their Information Specialists help with treatment decisions, and the First Connection program matches you with someone who has been through a similar diagnosis.
- Copay assistance and travel aid
- First Connection peer-to-peer matching
- Clinical trial nurse navigators
- Information Specialists: 1-800-955-4572
Who: Blood cancer patients and caregivers
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-955-4572
Patient Advocate Foundation
📍 Statewide (phone-based)
When your insurance denies a claim or you cannot afford your medication, PAF assigns a case manager to fight for you. They handle appeals, negotiate medical debt, and run a copay relief fund. Particularly helpful for navigating Massachusetts’ complex managed care landscape.
- Insurance denial appeals and arbitration
- Copay relief program (multiple disease funds)
- Medical debt crisis intervention
- Job retention assistance
Who: Patients facing insurance barriers or financial hardship
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-532-5274
Joe Andruzzi Foundation
📍 Statewide (based in Foxborough)
Founded by former New England Patriots lineman Joe Andruzzi, this foundation provides financial assistance directly to Massachusetts cancer patients for household bills, food, and other non-medical expenses that pile up during treatment. They also fund cancer research and run community events.
- Direct financial assistance for household bills
- Food assistance grants
- Utility and rent help during treatment
- Application-based (must be in active treatment)
Who: New England cancer patients in active treatment with demonstrated financial need
Cost: Free
Phone: 508-261-0630
Cancer Support Community — Massachusetts
📍 Statewide (online and in-person programs)
The Cancer Support Community provides free emotional and social support through support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and a helpline staffed by counselors. Their online programs are accessible to anyone in the state.
- Support groups (in-person and online)
- Cancer Support Helpline: 1-888-793-9355
- Educational workshops and webinars
- Nutrition and wellness programs
Who: All cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-888-793-9355
Massachusetts Health Connector — Special Enrollment
📍 Statewide
A cancer diagnosis qualifies you for a special enrollment period on the Massachusetts Health Connector. Navigators help you find plans with the lowest out-of-pocket costs for your treatment needs, and many patients qualify for ConnectorCare plans with minimal copays.
- Special enrollment after cancer diagnosis
- Free navigator assistance
- ConnectorCare subsidized plans
- MassHealth eligibility screening
Who: Massachusetts residents needing health insurance
Cost: Free to apply; plan costs vary
Livestrong at the YMCA — Massachusetts Locations
📍 Multiple locations statewide
This free 12-week fitness program at participating YMCAs across Massachusetts is designed specifically for cancer survivors. Trained instructors create personalized exercise plans that address fatigue, strength loss, and emotional well-being during and after treatment.
- 12-week personalized fitness program
- Trained cancer exercise specialists
- Free YMCA membership during program
- Available at multiple MA locations
Who: Cancer survivors (during or after treatment)
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-877-236-8820
Massachusetts Attorney General — Health Care Division
📍 Statewide
The AG’s office handles complaints about surprise medical billing, insurance denials, and unfair debt collection from hospitals. If you are being hounded by medical debt collectors or your insurer refuses to cover treatment, this office can intervene.
- Surprise billing complaints
- Insurance coverage disputes
- Hospital billing practice investigations
- Consumer protection for patients
Who: Massachusetts residents with billing or insurance disputes
Cost: Free
Phone: 877-414-4447
The Greater Boston Food Bank — Cancer Nutrition Programs
📍 Statewide (through partner agencies)
The largest hunger-relief organization in New England operates pantries across Massachusetts and has partnerships with cancer centers to provide medically tailored food packages for patients managing treatment side effects and nutritional needs.
- Food pantry network across the state
- Medically tailored meals for cancer patients
- SNAP enrollment assistance
- Home delivery for homebound patients
Who: Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity
Cost: Free
MassHealth — Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (PT-1)
📍 Statewide
MassHealth members are entitled to free rides to medical appointments, including cancer treatment. The PT-1 program covers car service, wheelchair vans, and even stretcher transport. You must request rides at least 2 days in advance through your managed care plan.
- Free rides to all medical appointments
- Wheelchair-accessible vehicles available
- Covers treatment, pharmacy, and lab visits
- Must be enrolled in MassHealth
Who: MassHealth members
Cost: Free (for MassHealth members)
Phone: 877-414-4447
Stupid Cancer — Young Adult Programs
📍 Statewide (virtual and events)
Focused on adolescents and young adults (ages 15-39) with cancer, Stupid Cancer offers online meetups, a podcast, and community events that address issues unique to young people: fertility, career disruption, dating, and the isolation of being “too young for cancer.”
- Online support groups for young adults
- CancerCon annual conference
- Peer-to-peer matching
- Resources on fertility, career, relationships
Who: Cancer patients and survivors ages 15-39
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-227-2345
VA Boston Healthcare System — Oncology Services
📍 Statewide (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Brockton campuses)
VA Boston provides comprehensive cancer care for eligible veterans, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and palliative care. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may qualify for presumptive coverage under the PACT Act.
- Full oncology services for veterans
- PACT Act toxic exposure coverage
- Travel reimbursement for appointments
- Social work and benefits counseling
Who: Eligible veterans
Cost: Free or low-cost (based on VA priority group)
Phone: 1-877-222-8387
Boston & Metro Boston
Home to world-class cancer centers and a dense network of support services — but the cost of living here makes non-medical help essential.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Patient & Family Support Services
📍 Boston (Longwood Medical Area)
Dana-Farber’s support services extend far beyond treatment. Their social work team helps with financial counseling, housing during treatment, insurance navigation, and emotional support. The Patient and Family Resource Center offers a lending library, support groups, and wellness programs open to all Dana-Farber patients.
- Financial counselors and social workers on staff
- Patient assistance fund for out-of-pocket costs
- Support groups (disease-specific and general)
- Integrative therapies (massage, acupuncture, yoga)
- Caregiver support programs
Who: Dana-Farber patients and their families
Cost: Free (for Dana-Farber patients)
Phone: 617-632-3000
Mass General Cancer Center — Social Work & Patient Navigation
📍 Boston (Yawkey Center)
Massachusetts General Hospital’s cancer center has dedicated social workers, patient navigators, and financial counselors embedded in every disease clinic. They coordinate rides, find housing, fight insurance denials, and connect patients to community resources throughout the treatment journey.
- Dedicated oncology social workers in every clinic
- Financial assistance and insurance navigation
- Support groups and counseling
- Survivorship and wellness programs
- Interpreter services in 150+ languages
Who: Mass General Cancer Center patients
Cost: Free (for MGH patients)
Phone: 617-726-2000
Gilda’s Club — Greater Boston (Cancer Support Community)
📍 Boston
Now part of the Cancer Support Community network, Gilda’s Club Greater Boston provides a welcoming community where anyone affected by cancer can find support groups, educational lectures, healthy cooking classes, and kids’ programs — all free, no referral needed.
- Support groups for patients, caregivers, and bereaved
- Networking groups (young adults, men, women)
- Wellness workshops and healthy lifestyle programs
- Children and teen programs
Who: Anyone impacted by cancer (patients, families, friends)
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-888-793-9355
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Cancer Support Services
📍 Boston (Longwood & East Campus)
BIDMC’s cancer center offers social work support, financial counseling, support groups, and integrative medicine programs. Their oncology social workers specialize in connecting patients to community resources throughout Greater Boston and help navigate the complex benefits systems.
- Oncology social work and counseling
- Financial assistance navigation
- Support groups (including Spanish-language)
- Integrative therapies and wellness programs
Who: BIDMC cancer patients and families
Cost: Free (for BIDMC patients)
Tufts Medical Center — Cancer Center Support Services
📍 Boston (Chinatown/Downtown)
Located in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown, Tufts Medical Center serves a diverse patient population with multilingual support staff, oncology social workers, and connections to community resources. They have particular expertise serving Asian and immigrant communities.
- Multilingual social work and navigation
- Financial counseling and charity care programs
- Culturally sensitive support services
- Connection to community organizations
Who: Tufts Medical Center cancer patients
Cost: Free (for Tufts patients)
Hope Lodge Boston — American Cancer Society
📍 Boston
Free lodging for cancer patients traveling to Boston for treatment and their caregivers. The Hope Lodge provides a private room, shared kitchen, laundry facilities, and a supportive community of fellow patients. Located near the Longwood Medical Area — essential for patients coming from western MA, Cape Cod, or out of state.
- Free private room for patient + caregiver
- Full kitchen and laundry facilities
- Must be in active treatment 30+ miles from Boston
- Referral from treatment center required
Who: Cancer patients traveling 30+ miles for treatment in Boston
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-227-2345
Family Reach Foundation
📍 Boston (headquarters)
Headquartered in Boston, Family Reach provides financial assistance directly to families battling cancer. They pay household bills (rent, utilities, car payments) and offer financial planning through their Navigator Pilot program to prevent the financial toxicity that often accompanies a cancer diagnosis.
- Direct bill payment (rent, utilities, car)
- Financial planning and coaching
- Resource navigation
- Referral from hospital social worker required
Who: Cancer patients and families facing financial hardship
Cost: Free
Phone: 857-233-2764
Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Hospital — Jimmy Fund Clinic
📍 Boston (Longwood Medical Area)
The Jimmy Fund Clinic is one of the nation’s premier pediatric cancer programs. Beyond treatment, they offer child life specialists, school re-entry programs, sibling support, art therapy, music therapy, and comprehensive family support services including financial assistance and housing help.
- Child life specialists and play therapy
- School re-entry and tutoring programs
- Sibling support groups
- Art and music therapy
- Family housing and financial assistance
Who: Pediatric cancer patients (birth through young adult) and families
Cost: Free (for patients)
Phone: 617-632-3000
The One Fund Boston — Cancer Survivor Programs
📍 Boston
Several Boston-area survivorship programs offer ongoing wellness support for people who have completed treatment, including fitness programs, nutritional counseling, and managing long-term side effects. Programs at Dana-Farber, MGH, and community centers help survivors reclaim their health.
- Survivorship clinics and care plans
- Exercise and rehabilitation programs
- Managing long-term treatment effects
- Return-to-work support
Who: Cancer survivors who have completed active treatment
Cost: Varies (many free programs available)
Phone: 617-632-3000
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) — Boston Chapter
📍 Boston area
FORCE supports people with hereditary cancer risk (BRCA, Lynch syndrome, etc.) through peer support, educational events, and community. Their Boston chapter hosts regular meetings for people navigating genetic testing results, preventive surgeries, and surveillance decisions.
- Peer support for hereditary cancer risk
- BRCA and Lynch syndrome community
- Educational events and expert panels
- Online forums and helpline
Who: People with hereditary cancer risk and their families
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-866-288-7475
Community Servings
📍 Boston (serves Greater Boston)
Community Servings prepares and delivers medically tailored meals free of charge to individuals living with critical and chronic illnesses, including cancer. Meals are customized to the patient’s diagnosis, treatment side effects, and dietary needs — crucial when nausea and fatigue make cooking impossible.
- Free medically tailored meals delivered to your home
- Customized for treatment side effects
- Also serves household members
- Referral from healthcare provider or self-referral
Who: Greater Boston residents with critical illness including cancer
Cost: Free
The Jimmy Fund
📍 Boston
Since 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised money to support cancer care and research at Dana-Farber. Through their patient assistance programs, they help families with treatment-related costs, travel expenses, and emergency financial needs. Their community events also provide social connection for patients and families.
- Patient and family financial assistance
- Travel and lodging support
- Community events and fundraising activities
- Connects families with other resources
Who: Dana-Farber patients and families
Cost: Free
Health Law Advocates
📍 Boston (serves statewide)
A nonprofit law firm that provides free legal help to low-income Massachusetts residents facing barriers to healthcare. They handle insurance denials, MassHealth appeals, and fight for access to treatment when bureaucracy gets in the way of care.
- Free legal representation for insurance denials
- MassHealth appeal assistance
- Access to care advocacy
- Health insurance enrollment help
Who: Low-income Massachusetts residents with healthcare access barriers
Cost: Free
Cambridge & Somerville
Academic and community resources in the cities just across the river from Boston’s medical corridor.
Cambridge Health Alliance — Oncology Support Services
📍 Cambridge & Somerville
CHA is a safety-net hospital system that serves many uninsured and immigrant residents of Cambridge, Somerville, and surrounding communities. Their oncology program includes social workers, financial counselors, and patient navigators who specialize in connecting underserved patients to resources.
- Social work and patient navigation
- Financial counseling for uninsured patients
- Interpreter services (Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and more)
- Connection to community resources
Who: CHA patients, especially underserved and immigrant communities
Cost: Free (support services)
Broad Institute — Patient Education & Clinical Trial Navigation
📍 Cambridge
While primarily a research institution, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard partners with local cancer centers to advance precision medicine. Patients at affiliated hospitals may access genomic testing and clinical trials through their collaborations, with patient navigators available to explain options.
- Genomic and precision medicine research
- Clinical trial access through partner hospitals
- Patient education about genetic testing
- Collaboration with Dana-Farber and MGH
Who: Patients seeking precision medicine and clinical trials
Cost: Varies (through affiliated hospitals)
Cambridge Council on Aging — Cancer Support Programs
📍 Cambridge
The Cambridge Council on Aging offers support programs specifically for older adults with cancer, including transportation to medical appointments, meal delivery, caregiver respite, and connections to benefits they may not know they qualify for.
- Medical appointment transportation
- Meals on Wheels delivery
- Benefits counseling (Medicare, MassHealth)
- Caregiver respite referrals
Who: Cambridge residents age 60+
Cost: Free
Somerville Cancer Support Network
📍 Somerville
A grassroots community group that connects Somerville residents affected by cancer with peer support, local resources, and community events. They maintain a resource list specific to Somerville and host informal gatherings for patients and survivors.
- Peer support and community connection
- Local resource referrals
- Community events and gatherings
- Online support community
Who: Somerville residents affected by cancer
Cost: Free
Worcester & Central MA
Central Massachusetts has growing cancer resources but patients still travel to Boston for specialized care. These local organizations provide essential day-to-day support.
UMass Memorial Health — Cancer Center Support Services
📍 Worcester
The largest healthcare system in Central Massachusetts, UMass Memorial’s cancer center provides oncology social workers, financial counselors, support groups, and patient navigators. They serve a diverse population including the large Worcester immigrant community with multilingual services.
- Oncology social workers and patient navigators
- Financial counseling and charity care
- Support groups (English, Spanish, Portuguese)
- Survivorship and wellness programs
Who: UMass Memorial cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Saint Vincent Cancer & Wellness Center
📍 Worcester
Part of the Tenet Healthcare system, Saint Vincent’s cancer center offers support groups, nutrition counseling, social work services, and a resource library. They provide a more intimate community-hospital setting for patients who find the larger systems overwhelming.
- Support groups and counseling
- Nutritional counseling during treatment
- Social work and resource navigation
- Patient education library
Who: Cancer patients in the Worcester area
Cost: Free (support services)
Worcester Regional Transit Authority — Medical Rides
📍 Worcester & Central MA
WRTA offers paratransit services for residents who cannot use fixed-route buses due to disability, including cancer patients weakened by treatment. Their ADA complementary service provides door-to-door rides to medical appointments throughout the service area.
- Paratransit door-to-door service
- ADA-eligible medical rides
- Reduced fare programs
- Serves Worcester and surrounding towns
Who: Residents with disabilities in WRTA service area
Cost: Reduced fare ($2-3 per trip)
Worcester County Food Bank
📍 Worcester & Central MA
The food bank operates mobile food pantries throughout Central Massachusetts and partners with healthcare providers to screen patients for food insecurity. Their network of 130+ partner agencies ensures food access in even the most rural parts of the region.
- Mobile food pantries across Central MA
- 130+ partner agency network
- SNAP application assistance
- Home delivery for homebound individuals
Who: Worcester County residents facing food insecurity
Cost: Free
Central MA Hospice & Palliative Care — Grief Support
📍 Worcester area
Provides bereavement support groups, individual grief counseling, and caregiver support for families in Central Massachusetts. Their services are available to anyone in the community, not just their hospice patients — important for caregivers who need support after a loved one’s passing.
- Bereavement support groups
- Individual grief counseling
- Caregiver support during and after
- Open to the community (not just patients)
Who: Bereaved individuals and caregivers in Central MA
Cost: Free
United Way of Central Massachusetts — 2-1-1
📍 Worcester & Central MA
Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a trained specialist who can find local resources for any need — rides, food, utilities, housing, childcare, mental health. They maintain a comprehensive database of Central MA programs and can help cancer patients piece together multiple forms of assistance.
- 24/7 resource referral line (dial 2-1-1)
- Comprehensive local resource database
- Emergency financial assistance referrals
- Available in English and Spanish
Who: All Central MA residents
Cost: Free
Springfield & Western MA
Western Massachusetts faces real healthcare access gaps, but dedicated organizations work to fill them. The Pioneer Valley and Berkshires have strong community-based support.
Baystate Health — Cancer Support Services
📍 Springfield
Baystate Health is western Massachusetts’ largest healthcare system and its cancer center offers comprehensive support services including social workers, financial counselors, support groups, and patient navigators. They serve the diverse Springfield community with multilingual staff and culturally sensitive programs.
- Oncology social workers and navigators
- Financial counseling and charity care
- Support groups (English and Spanish)
- Survivorship and integrative medicine programs
- Bilingual patient navigators
Who: Baystate Health cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Phone: 413-794-0000
Cancer Connection
📍 Northampton (serves all of Western MA)
Cancer Connection is Western Massachusetts’ dedicated cancer support center, providing free programs for anyone affected by cancer. Their warm, community-centered space in Northampton offers support groups, wellness programs, art therapy, and a resource library — filling a critical gap in a region far from Boston’s medical infrastructure.
- Support groups for patients, survivors, and caregivers
- Wellness programs (yoga, tai chi, meditation)
- Art therapy and creative expression
- Resource library and navigation assistance
- Peer mentoring programs
Who: Anyone affected by cancer in Western MA
Cost: Free
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
📍 Hatfield (serves all four Western MA counties)
Serving Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire counties, the Food Bank operates mobile markets and partners with local health centers to provide food to patients dealing with illness. Their network reaches even the most rural towns in the Berkshires and hilltowns.
- Mobile food markets across Western MA
- 200+ partner agency network
- SNAP and WIC enrollment help
- Home delivery for homebound residents
Who: Western MA residents facing food insecurity
Cost: Free
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority — Medical Transportation
📍 Springfield & Pioneer Valley
PVTA offers paratransit and demand-response services for residents with disabilities in the greater Springfield and Amherst areas. For cancer patients unable to drive, their door-to-door service covers trips to treatment centers throughout the Pioneer Valley.
- Paratransit door-to-door service
- ADA-eligible medical transportation
- Serves 24 communities in Pioneer Valley
- Reduced fare programs available
Who: Residents with disabilities in PVTA service area
Cost: Reduced fare
Cooley Dickinson Hospital — Cancer Support Programs
📍 Northampton
Part of Mass General Brigham, Cooley Dickinson offers cancer patients in the Pioneer Valley access to social work, support groups, and connections to the larger Mass General network without requiring the trip to Boston. Their community programs are open and welcoming.
- Oncology social work services
- Support groups and peer programs
- Connection to MGH resources and clinical trials
- Wellness and survivorship programs
Who: Cancer patients in the Pioneer Valley
Cost: Free (support services)
Berkshire Medical Center — Cancer Care Support
📍 Pittsfield (serves Berkshire County)
The only comprehensive cancer care facility in Berkshire County, BMC provides support services so patients do not have to make the 2.5-hour drive to Boston. Social workers, financial counselors, and a cancer resource room help patients manage the non-medical aspects of their diagnosis.
- Social work and patient navigation
- Financial assistance and charity care
- Support groups and counseling
- Cancer resource library
Who: Cancer patients in Berkshire County
Cost: Free (support services)
Springfield Partners for Community Action (SPCA)
📍 Springfield
This community action agency helps low-income Springfield residents with emergency financial assistance for utilities, rent, and other essential costs. For cancer patients unable to work during treatment, their programs can prevent eviction and utility shutoffs.
- Emergency rent and utility assistance
- Fuel assistance (LIHEAP)
- Benefits screening and enrollment
- Housing stabilization services
Who: Low-income Springfield area residents
Cost: Free
Rays of Hope — Walk & Run Toward the Cure
📍 Springfield (Baystate Health)
Rays of Hope raises funds through its annual walk/run to support breast cancer patients at Baystate Health with financial assistance, support groups, and community. Their survivor and patient programs offer connection and hope in the Springfield area.
- Financial assistance for breast cancer patients
- Support groups and community events
- Annual walk/run community building
- Mammography fund for uninsured women
Who: Breast cancer patients in Western MA
Cost: Free
Phone: 413-794-0000
Community Legal Aid — Western MA
📍 Springfield, Northampton, Pittsfield, Worcester
Free legal services for low-income residents covering healthcare access, disability benefits, housing, and employment issues. Cancer patients can get help with SSDI applications, insurance denials, workplace accommodations, and fighting evictions caused by medical debt.
- SSDI and SSI application assistance
- Insurance denial appeals
- Housing and eviction prevention
- Employment rights and ADA accommodations
Who: Low-income residents of Central and Western MA
Cost: Free
Cape Cod & Islands
Geographic isolation, seasonal population swings, and limited specialists make support resources essential for Cape and Islands cancer patients.
Cape Cod Healthcare — Cancer Support Services
📍 Hyannis & Falmouth
Cape Cod Healthcare’s cancer center provides local treatment so patients do not always have to cross the bridge to Boston. Their support services include oncology social workers, support groups, financial counseling, and a patient navigator program — vital for a community with many retirees and seasonal workers.
- Oncology social work and patient navigation
- Support groups and counseling
- Financial assistance programs
- Wellness and survivorship programs
Who: Cape Cod Healthcare cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority — DART Service
📍 Cape Cod
CCRTA’s Dial-A-Ride Transit (DART) provides door-to-door transportation for seniors and people with disabilities across Cape Cod. For cancer patients needing rides to treatment — especially during off-season when fewer neighbors are around to help — this service is a lifeline.
- Door-to-door medical transportation
- Serves all 15 Cape Cod towns
- Wheelchair-accessible vehicles
- Advance reservation required
Who: Seniors and people with disabilities on Cape Cod
Cost: $2-4 per trip
Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod
📍 Cape Cod & Islands
The VNA provides home health services, hospice care, and caregiver support throughout Cape Cod and the Islands. For cancer patients recovering at home or in palliative care, their nurses, aides, and social workers come to you — eliminating the transportation burden.
- Home nursing and health aide visits
- Hospice and palliative care
- Caregiver training and respite
- Grief and bereavement support
Who: Cape Cod and Islands residents needing home health or hospice
Cost: Covered by insurance/Medicare; some free services
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital — Cancer Care Coordination
📍 Martha’s Vineyard
Island residents face unique challenges — getting off-island for specialty care means ferries, weather delays, and overnight stays. MVH coordinates with Boston hospitals, arranges travel, and provides local support services so patients can stay connected to their island community during treatment.
- Care coordination with Boston specialists
- Travel assistance for off-island appointments
- Local support groups and social work
- Telehealth connections to oncologists
Who: Martha’s Vineyard residents with cancer
Cost: Free (coordination services)
Nantucket Cottage Hospital — Patient Support
📍 Nantucket
Cancer patients on Nantucket face even greater isolation — flights and ferries to the mainland are expensive and weather-dependent. The hospital coordinates off-island care, provides social work support, and connects patients with local charitable organizations that help with travel costs.
- Off-island care coordination
- Travel cost assistance
- Social work and emotional support
- Connection to mainland cancer centers
Who: Nantucket residents with cancer
Cost: Free (support services)
Cape Cod Council of Churches — Food Pantry Network
📍 Cape Cod (multiple locations)
Operates food pantries across the Cape that serve anyone in need, with no questions asked. Particularly important for year-round residents who lose seasonal income while dealing with cancer treatment, and for retirees on fixed incomes facing unexpected medical costs.
- Food pantries across Cape Cod
- No income verification required
- Fresh produce and proteins available
- Holiday meal programs
Who: Anyone on Cape Cod facing food insecurity
Cost: Free
New Bedford & South Coast
The South Coast’s fishing and industrial heritage, large Portuguese-speaking community, and environmental exposure history create unique support needs.
Southcoast Health — Cancer Support Services
📍 New Bedford, Fall River, Wareham
Southcoast Health’s cancer centers provide local treatment and support so South Coast residents do not have to travel to Boston. Their oncology social workers, patient navigators, and support groups serve the community in English and Portuguese, reflecting the region’s demographics.
- Oncology social work and navigation
- Portuguese-speaking staff and interpreters
- Support groups and wellness programs
- Financial counseling and charity care
Who: Southcoast Health cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
New Bedford Community Health Center — Cancer Screening & Navigation
📍 New Bedford
This federally qualified health center provides cancer screening and patient navigation for the diverse New Bedford community, with services in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Cape Verdean Creole. Their navigators help patients understand their diagnosis and connect to treatment and support resources.
- Multilingual patient navigation
- Cancer screening and follow-up coordination
- Connection to treatment centers
- Social services and benefits enrollment
Who: New Bedford residents, especially immigrant and underserved communities
Cost: Sliding scale; many services free
SouthCoast Fair Housing — Medical Debt Prevention
📍 New Bedford & Fall River
Helps South Coast residents avoid housing loss due to medical debt. For cancer patients who have fallen behind on rent or mortgage because of treatment costs, they provide counseling, landlord mediation, and connections to emergency housing assistance.
- Housing counseling for medical debt situations
- Landlord mediation and eviction prevention
- Emergency rental assistance referrals
- Financial literacy and budgeting support
Who: South Coast residents at risk of housing loss
Cost: Free
People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE)
📍 New Bedford
PACE is New Bedford’s community action agency, providing comprehensive social services including fuel assistance, housing help, Head Start, and emergency aid. Cancer patients can access multiple programs through one intake process.
- Emergency financial assistance
- Fuel and utility assistance (LIHEAP)
- Housing stabilization services
- Benefits screening and enrollment
Who: Low-income New Bedford area residents
Cost: Free
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA)
📍 New Bedford, Fall River, and surrounding towns
SRTA provides fixed-route buses and paratransit services connecting the South Coast. Their demand-response service provides door-to-door transportation for qualifying residents, helping cancer patients reach treatment when driving is not possible.
- Paratransit door-to-door service
- Fixed-route bus network
- ADA-eligible medical rides
- Reduced fare for seniors and disabled
Who: South Coast residents
Cost: $1.50-3 per trip; reduced fares available
Immigrants’ Assistance Center — New Bedford
📍 New Bedford
Serves the large immigrant community in New Bedford with social services, translation, and navigation of American systems. For immigrant cancer patients, they help with MassHealth applications, food assistance, and understanding rights — all in Portuguese, Spanish, and other languages.
- MassHealth and benefits applications
- Translation and interpretation services
- Food pantry and emergency assistance
- Social service navigation in multiple languages
Who: Immigrants and refugees in the New Bedford area
Cost: Free
Lowell & Merrimack Valley
Gateway cities with large Cambodian, Latino, and immigrant populations — cultural competency and language access matter here as much as the services themselves.
Lowell General Hospital — Cancer Center Support Services
📍 Lowell
Part of Tufts Medicine, Lowell General’s cancer center offers oncology social workers, patient navigation, and support groups serving the diverse Merrimack Valley. Their staff includes Khmer and Spanish speakers, reflecting Lowell’s large Cambodian and Latino communities.
- Oncology social work and patient navigation
- Khmer and Spanish-speaking staff
- Support groups and counseling
- Financial assistance and charity care
Who: Lowell General cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Lowell Community Health Center — Cancer Navigation
📍 Lowell
This FQHC serves Lowell’s diverse population with cancer screening, patient navigation, and social services in over 30 languages. Their navigators help patients — many of whom are refugees and immigrants — understand diagnoses, find treatment, and access support services.
- Patient navigation in 30+ languages
- Cancer screening programs
- MassHealth enrollment assistance
- Connection to community resources
Who: Lowell residents, especially immigrant and refugee communities
Cost: Sliding scale; many services free
Lawrence General Hospital — Cancer Support Programs
📍 Lawrence
Serving the predominantly Latino community of Lawrence, the hospital’s cancer support includes bilingual social workers, patient navigators, and connections to community resources. They specialize in helping Spanish-speaking patients access insurance, financial aid, and emotional support.
- Bilingual oncology social workers
- Spanish-language support groups
- Insurance navigation and MassHealth enrollment
- Community health worker programs
Who: Lawrence area cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Community Action Inc. — Merrimack Valley
📍 Haverhill (serves Merrimack Valley)
The community action agency for the Merrimack Valley provides fuel assistance, food pantries, housing help, and emergency financial aid. Cancer patients unable to work can access multiple programs to keep their families stable during treatment.
- Fuel and utility assistance
- Emergency food programs
- Housing stabilization
- Benefits enrollment assistance
Who: Low-income Merrimack Valley residents
Cost: Free
Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA)
📍 Lowell
CMAA serves Lowell’s large Cambodian community with social services, translation, health education, and system navigation. For Cambodian cancer patients, they provide culturally appropriate support, help with medical interpretation, and bridge the gap between Western medicine and community beliefs.
- Khmer-language health navigation
- Medical interpretation services
- Social service referrals and enrollment
- Cultural bridging between patients and providers
Who: Cambodian community members in Lowell area
Cost: Free
Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA)
📍 Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill area
MVRTA provides paratransit and fixed-route bus service across the Merrimack Valley. Their EZ Trans demand-response service offers door-to-door rides for seniors and people with disabilities — including cancer patients needing transportation to treatment.
- EZ Trans door-to-door medical rides
- Fixed-route buses connecting valley cities
- Reduced fare for seniors and disabled
- Serves Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, and surrounding towns
Who: Merrimack Valley residents
Cost: $1.25-2.50 per trip
Merrimack Valley Hospice — Bereavement & Caregiver Support
📍 Lawrence (serves Merrimack Valley)
Provides bereavement counseling, caregiver support groups, and community grief education throughout the Merrimack Valley. Services are open to the community regardless of whether the patient was in their hospice program.
- Bereavement support groups
- Individual grief counseling
- Caregiver support and education
- Community grief workshops
Who: Bereaved individuals and caregivers in the Merrimack Valley
Cost: Free
North Shore (Salem/Lynn)
The North Shore’s mix of old industrial cities, fishing communities, and suburbs creates varied needs for cancer support.
Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital — Cancer Center Support
📍 Salem
Salem Hospital’s cancer center, part of the Mass General Brigham system, provides oncology social workers, patient navigation, and support groups for North Shore residents. Patients benefit from connections to the larger MGH network while receiving care closer to home.
- Oncology social work and patient navigation
- Support groups and counseling
- Financial assistance and insurance navigation
- Connection to MGH clinical trials and specialists
Who: Salem Hospital cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Lynn Community Health Center — Cancer Screening & Navigation
📍 Lynn
Serving Lynn’s diverse immigrant community with cancer screenings, patient navigation, and connection to treatment. Their community health workers speak multiple languages and help patients overcome barriers to accessing cancer care and support services.
- Multilingual patient navigation
- Cancer screening programs
- Community health workers
- MassHealth and insurance enrollment
Who: Lynn residents, especially immigrant communities
Cost: Sliding scale; many services free
North Shore Cancer Center (Mass General)
📍 Danvers
A satellite of Mass General Cancer Center located in Danvers, bringing world-class cancer care to the North Shore. Support services include social work, nutrition counseling, support groups, and access to MGH clinical trials — all without the commute to Boston.
- Full support services close to home
- Social work and patient navigation
- Support groups and wellness programs
- Access to MGH clinical trials
Who: North Shore cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Phone: 617-726-2000
Care Dimensions — North Shore Hospice & Palliative Care
📍 Danvers (serves North Shore and Merrimack Valley)
The largest hospice provider on the North Shore, Care Dimensions offers palliative care, hospice services, and extensive grief support programs. Their bereavement services are open to the community and include individual counseling, support groups, and children’s grief programs.
- Palliative care consultation
- Hospice home care and inpatient
- Bereavement support groups
- Children’s grief programs
- Caregiver education and respite
Who: Patients, families, and bereaved individuals on the North Shore
Cost: Covered by insurance/Medicare; grief services free
Phone: 866-257-4667
North Shore Community Action Programs (NSCAP)
📍 Peabody (serves North Shore)
NSCAP provides emergency assistance, fuel programs, food pantries, and social services to low-income North Shore residents. For cancer patients who cannot work during treatment, they offer a safety net of multiple programs accessible through a single application.
- Emergency financial assistance
- Fuel assistance and utility programs
- Food pantry and nutrition programs
- Housing assistance and counseling
Who: Low-income North Shore residents
Cost: Free
Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA)
📍 Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea
CATA provides fixed-route and demand-response transportation on Cape Ann. For cancer patients in the fishing communities of Gloucester and Rockport who need rides to treatment centers in Salem or Boston, CATA connects to commuter rail stations and other transit systems.
- Fixed-route and demand-response service
- Connections to commuter rail for Boston trips
- Reduced fare for seniors and disabled
- ADA-accessible vehicles
Who: Cape Ann residents
Cost: $1.25-2 per trip
Healing Moments Foundation
📍 North Shore
A North Shore-based nonprofit that provides healing retreats, wellness experiences, and community connection for women with cancer. Their programs offer respite from treatment through ocean-side retreats, art workshops, and outdoor activities.
- Healing retreats for women with cancer
- Wellness workshops and activities
- Community connection events
- Outdoor and ocean-based programs
Who: Women with cancer on the North Shore
Cost: Free
Additional Massachusetts Resources
More organizations serving Massachusetts cancer patients across multiple regions.
The SAMFund — Young Adult Cancer Financial Assistance
📍 Boston (serves nationwide from MA)
Founded in Boston, The SAMFund provides grants and scholarships to young adult cancer survivors (ages 17-39) for living expenses, education costs, and career development. They address the unique financial devastation young people face when cancer interrupts their education or early career.
- Grants for living expenses ($500-$5,000)
- Scholarships for education
- Career development support
- Financial planning resources
Who: Young adult cancer survivors ages 17-39
Cost: Free (grant program)
Phone: (617) 391-9235
Imerman Angels — One-on-One Cancer Support
📍 Statewide (phone/online)
Imerman Angels matches cancer patients with survivor “Mentor Angels” who have been through a similar diagnosis. The matching is precise — same cancer type, age range, and demographics — providing the kind of “I’ve been there” support that no professional counselor can replicate.
- One-on-one matching with cancer survivors
- Same diagnosis, age, and gender matching
- Caregiver-to-caregiver matching available
- Free and confidential
Who: Cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-866-463-7626
NeedyMeds — Prescription Assistance
📍 Gloucester, MA (serves nationwide)
Based in Gloucester, MA, NeedyMeds maintains the most comprehensive database of patient assistance programs for medications. They help cancer patients find free or reduced-cost prescriptions, copay cards, and drug manufacturer assistance programs — essential when cancer drugs can cost thousands per month.
- Searchable database of medication assistance programs
- Drug discount card (free)
- Copay assistance program directory
- Disease-specific resources
Who: Anyone needing help affording medications
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-503-6897
Camp Sunshine — Pediatric Cancer Family Retreat
📍 Casco, ME (serves MA families)
Camp Sunshine provides week-long retreats for families of children with life-threatening illnesses, including cancer. Located on Sebago Lake in Maine, the program is free and includes the entire family — siblings, parents, and the child with cancer — providing respite, community, and renewal.
- Free week-long family retreats
- All expenses covered (travel, food, lodging)
- Activities for the whole family
- Peer support from other cancer families
Who: Families of children with cancer (MA residents welcome)
Cost: Free
Breast Cancer Research Foundation — Clinical Trial Access
📍 Boston-area research hospitals
Massachusetts is home to some of the nation’s most active breast cancer clinical trials at Dana-Farber, MGH, and other institutions. BCRF-funded research provides access to cutting-edge treatments, and patient navigators at these institutions help you understand whether a trial might be right for you.
- Clinical trial matching and navigation
- Access to cutting-edge treatments
- Patient education about trial participation
- Research updates and community
Who: Breast cancer patients interested in clinical trials
Cost: Free (trial participation)
Phone: (646) 497-2600
Look Good Feel Better — Massachusetts Programs
📍 Multiple locations statewide
Free workshops teaching beauty techniques to women undergoing cancer treatment. Held at hospitals and community centers across Massachusetts, participants learn about skincare during treatment, head coverings, makeup techniques, and receive a complimentary cosmetics kit.
- Free in-person and virtual workshops
- Complimentary cosmetics kit
- Skincare and wig/head covering guidance
- Self-confidence and wellness support
Who: Women undergoing cancer treatment
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-395-5665
HealthWell Foundation — Copay Assistance
📍 Statewide (phone/online)
HealthWell provides copay assistance for expensive cancer medications through disease-specific funds. If you have insurance but your out-of-pocket costs for treatment drugs are crushing you, HealthWell may cover the difference — some funds provide up to $15,000 per year.
- Copay and premium assistance for cancer drugs
- Disease-specific fund programs
- Up to $15,000/year in some programs
- Must have insurance to qualify
Who: Insured patients who cannot afford medication copays
Cost: Free (assistance program)
Phone: (800) 675-8416
Massachusetts General Hospital — Caregiver Support Program
📍 Boston (available statewide via telehealth)
MGH’s dedicated caregiver support program offers counseling, education, and practical guidance for people caring for cancer patients. Their research-backed interventions help caregivers manage stress, maintain their own health, and navigate the complex role of caring for someone with cancer.
- Individual caregiver counseling
- Caregiver education workshops
- Stress management and self-care programs
- Telehealth access for remote caregivers
Who: Caregivers of cancer patients (MGH and community)
Cost: Free
Phone: 617-726-2000
Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services
📍 Statewide (offices across MA)
Every city and town in Massachusetts has a Veterans’ Service Officer who helps veterans access benefits, file disability claims, and connect with VA healthcare. For veterans with service-connected cancers — Agent Orange, burn pits, Camp Lejeune water — these officers know how to build your claim.
- Local veteran service officers statewide
- VA disability claim assistance
- PACT Act toxic exposure claims
- Connection to VA healthcare and benefits
Who: Massachusetts veterans and their dependents
Cost: Free
Phone: 877-414-4447
PAN Foundation — Premium & Copay Assistance
📍 Statewide (phone/online)
The Patient Access Network Foundation helps underinsured patients with out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatments including insurance premiums, copays, and deductibles. Their disease-specific funds open and close based on available funding — apply early when funds open.
- Insurance premium assistance
- Copay and deductible coverage
- Multiple cancer-specific funds
- Income-based eligibility
Who: Underinsured cancer patients meeting income criteria
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-866-316-7263
Us TOO International — Prostate Cancer Support (MA Chapters)
📍 Multiple MA locations
Us TOO runs peer-led prostate cancer support groups at several Massachusetts locations. Men can share experiences, learn from each other about treatment decisions and side effects, and find community with others who understand what they are going through.
- Peer-led monthly support groups
- Treatment decision support
- Side effect management discussions
- Partners and caregivers welcome
Who: Prostate cancer patients, survivors, and partners
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-844-937-6360
Sharsheret — Jewish Cancer Support
📍 Statewide (phone/online)
Sharsheret supports Jewish women and families facing breast and ovarian cancer with culturally sensitive peer support, genetic counseling referrals, and practical assistance. With Massachusetts’ large Jewish community, they provide connection that integrates faith and culture with cancer support.
- Peer support for Jewish women with cancer
- Genetic counseling and BRCA resources
- Busy Box care packages
- Best Face Forward cosmetics support
Who: Jewish women and families facing breast/ovarian cancer
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-866-474-2774
Brigham and Women’s Hospital — Cancer Support Services
📍 Boston
Brigham and Women’s cancer programs include comprehensive support services with social workers, financial counselors, support groups, and integrative medicine. Their patient assistance programs help with out-of-pocket costs, and their multilingual staff serves Boston’s diverse patient population.
- Oncology social work and counseling
- Financial assistance programs
- Support groups (disease-specific)
- Integrative medicine and wellness programs
Who: Brigham and Women’s cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
One Mission — Pediatric Cancer Support
📍 Boston (serves MA families)
One Mission funds hospital programs and provides direct support to families of children with cancer in Massachusetts. They fund playrooms, supply wish items, and provide financial grants to families struggling with the costs of pediatric cancer treatment.
- Financial grants for pediatric cancer families
- Hospital playroom funding
- Wish program for children in treatment
- Community events and connections
Who: Families of children with cancer in MA
Cost: Free
Colon Cancer Coalition — Get Your Rear in Gear (MA)
📍 Statewide
The Colon Cancer Coalition promotes screening awareness and supports colorectal cancer patients in Massachusetts through community events, educational programs, and connections to support resources. Their annual run/walk events build community among survivors.
- Screening awareness and education
- Community events for survivors
- Resource connections for colorectal cancer patients
- Get Your Rear in Gear annual event
Who: Colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and at-risk individuals
Cost: Free
Phone: 952-378-1237
Good Days (formerly Chronic Disease Fund)
📍 Statewide (phone/online)
Good Days provides financial assistance for copays, premiums, travel, and diagnostic testing for cancer patients. Their programs cover many cancer types and can provide rapid assistance when other programs have waitlists or closed funds.
- Copay assistance for cancer medications
- Insurance premium help
- Travel assistance for treatment
- Diagnostic and genetic testing coverage
Who: Cancer patients with financial need
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-877-968-7233
Man to Man — Prostate Cancer Education (ACS)
📍 Multiple MA locations
An American Cancer Society program offering support and education for men with prostate cancer. Monthly meetings at Massachusetts hospitals and community centers provide a space for men to discuss treatment side effects, decisions, and emotional challenges with peers who understand.
- Monthly peer support meetings
- Educational presentations by specialists
- Side by Side partner program
- Informal community and fellowship
Who: Men with prostate cancer and their partners
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-227-2345
Lung Cancer Alliance — Massachusetts Programs
📍 Statewide
Now part of the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, this organization provides support specifically for lung cancer patients — a population that often faces stigma. Their programs include peer matching, a helpline staffed by oncology nurses, and advocacy for screening and research.
- Lung cancer-specific helpline
- Peer-to-peer matching (Phone Buddies)
- Stigma-free support community
- Screening and treatment education
Who: Lung cancer patients and caregivers
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-298-2436
Angel Flight Northeast
📍 Lawrence (serves New England)
Based at Lawrence Municipal Airport, Angel Flight Northeast provides free air transportation for patients who need to travel for specialized medical care. For Massachusetts patients living far from Boston’s cancer centers, or those needing treatment at distant facilities, volunteer pilots fly them at no cost.
- Free flights to distant treatment centers
- Volunteer pilot network
- Ground transportation coordination
- Serves patients unable to drive or fly commercially
Who: Patients needing air transport for medical care
Cost: Free
Phone: (978) 794-6868
Livestrong Foundation — Survivorship Resources
📍 Statewide (phone/online)
Livestrong offers a free navigation service where trained specialists help you find programs matching your specific needs — whether that is financial help, emotional support, fertility preservation, or insurance questions. One call can connect you to multiple resources.
- Free navigation service (1-855-220-7777)
- Financial and insurance assistance referrals
- Fertility preservation resources
- Emotional support and peer connection
Who: All cancer patients and survivors
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-855-220-7777
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute — Health Law
📍 Boston (serves statewide)
MLRI works on systemic health law issues affecting low-income Massachusetts residents and provides resources for legal aid attorneys handling individual cases. Their health law materials help patients and advocates understand MassHealth rights, insurance protections, and medical debt laws.
- Health law resources and guides
- MassHealth rights information
- Medical debt protection resources
- Referrals to legal aid programs
Who: Low-income Massachusetts residents and their advocates
Cost: Free
Oncology Massage Alliance — Massachusetts Practitioners
📍 Multiple MA locations
Connects cancer patients with massage therapists trained specifically in oncology massage across Massachusetts. Many hospitals and cancer centers incorporate this, but the Alliance helps patients find practitioners in their community for ongoing care between treatments.
- Directory of oncology-trained massage therapists
- Safe massage during and after treatment
- Pain and anxiety reduction
- Some reduced-cost programs available
Who: Cancer patients seeking complementary care
Cost: Varies; some free through hospital programs
Social Security Disability — Compassionate Allowances
📍 Statewide (SSA offices)
Many cancers qualify for Social Security’s Compassionate Allowances program, which fast-tracks disability applications in weeks rather than months. If you cannot work due to cancer, applying for SSDI/SSI early is critical — the 5-month waiting period means delays cost you money.
- Fast-tracked disability for qualifying cancers
- SSDI for workers with enough credits
- SSI for low-income individuals
- Medicare eligibility after 24 months on SSDI
Who: Cancer patients unable to work
Cost: Free to apply
The Hundred Club of Massachusetts — First Responder Cancer Support
📍 Statewide
Massachusetts firefighters face elevated cancer rates from occupational exposure. The Hundred Club provides financial support to first responder families dealing with cancer, including assistance with bills, family needs, and funeral expenses when a first responder dies from job-related cancer.
- Financial assistance for first responder families
- Support during treatment and recovery
- Family assistance programs
- Connection to occupational cancer resources
Who: Massachusetts first responders and families affected by occupational cancer
Cost: Free
Ellie Fund — Breast Cancer Practical Assistance
📍 Greater Boston (expanding statewide)
The Ellie Fund provides practical services directly to breast cancer patients: housecleaning, childcare, meal delivery, and transportation. Instead of giving money, they arrange and pay for the actual services — taking tasks off patients’ plates during treatment so they can focus on healing.
- Free housecleaning during treatment
- Meal delivery services
- Childcare assistance
- Transportation to treatment
Who: Breast cancer patients in Massachusetts
Cost: Free
Massachusetts 2-1-1 — Statewide Resource Hotline
📍 Statewide
Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Massachusetts to reach a trained specialist who can connect you with local resources for any need — food, housing, utilities, transportation, childcare, mental health, financial assistance. Available 24/7 in multiple languages. When you do not know where to start, start here.
- 24/7 resource connection (dial 2-1-1)
- Multilingual specialists
- Comprehensive local resource database
- Text and online chat options available
Who: All Massachusetts residents
Cost: Free
Wellness Community — Boston (CSC)
📍 Boston
Now part of the Cancer Support Community, this Boston-based program offers free support groups, mind-body classes, nutritional education, and social events for anyone affected by cancer. Their drop-in model means you can show up whenever you need support.
- Drop-in support groups
- Mind-body wellness classes
- Nutritional counseling
- Social and community events
Who: Anyone affected by cancer
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-888-793-9355
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission — Cancer Vocational Services
📍 Statewide (regional offices)
MRC provides vocational rehabilitation services for cancer patients whose treatment affects their ability to work. Services include job training, adaptive equipment, resume help, and employer education about accommodations — helping survivors return to work or find new careers after treatment.
- Vocational rehabilitation counseling
- Job training and placement assistance
- Adaptive technology and equipment
- Return-to-work planning
Who: Massachusetts residents with cancer-related work limitations
Cost: Free
Phone: 877-414-4447
Melanoma Foundation of New England
📍 Concord, MA (serves New England)
Based in Massachusetts, this foundation provides support and education for melanoma patients and promotes skin cancer awareness and prevention. Their peer support program connects newly diagnosed patients with melanoma survivors, and they offer educational events about treatment advances.
- Peer support for melanoma patients
- Educational events and webinars
- Skin cancer screening events
- Advocacy for research funding
Who: Melanoma patients and those at risk
Cost: Free
Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program
📍 Statewide (through Area Agencies on Aging)
Funded through the federal Older Americans Act, this program provides respite care, counseling, training, and supplemental services for family caregivers. If you are caring for someone with cancer and need a break, training on medical tasks, or help paying for supplies, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
- Respite care (in-home and adult day)
- Caregiver counseling and training
- Supplemental services (supplies, modifications)
- Support groups through Area Agencies on Aging
Who: Family caregivers of adults age 60+ or people with Alzheimer’s/related conditions
Cost: Free or reduced cost
Phone: 877-414-4447
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) — MA Programs
📍 Statewide (support groups in Boston area)
OCRA provides dedicated support for ovarian cancer patients through peer mentoring, support groups, and a woman-to-woman helpline. Their Massachusetts-area support groups meet regularly and their national programs are accessible by phone and online.
- Ovarian cancer support groups
- Woman-to-woman peer support line
- Educational programs and webinars
- Clinical trial information
Who: Ovarian cancer patients and caregivers
Cost: Free
Phone: (212) 268-1002
The Joey Fund — Cystic Fibrosis & Cancer Family Support
📍 Boston area
While focused on cystic fibrosis, the Joey Fund works with Boston Children’s and Dana-Farber families, providing emotional support and community events for families managing serious pediatric illness. Their model of family-centered support extends to many families dealing with childhood cancer.
- Family support programs
- Community events and connections
- Hospital partnership programs
- Emotional support resources
Who: Families of children with serious illness
Cost: Free
VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare
📍 Leeds (serves Western & Central MA)
The Leeds VA campus and its community-based outpatient clinics serve veterans in Central and Western Massachusetts. They provide oncology care, social work, travel reimbursement, and toxic exposure registry enrollment for veterans with suspected service-connected cancers.
- VA oncology care and referrals
- Social work and benefits counseling
- Travel reimbursement for appointments
- Toxic exposure registry enrollment
Who: Eligible veterans in Central and Western MA
Cost: Free or low-cost (based on VA priority group)
Phone: 1-877-222-8387
Project Bread — FoodSource Hotline
📍 Statewide
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333) connects Massachusetts residents with food resources including SNAP enrollment help, food pantry locations, and meal programs. Available in 180 languages — critical for the state’s diverse immigrant communities dealing with cancer and food insecurity.
- FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333
- SNAP application assistance
- Food pantry and meal site locations
- Available in 180 languages
Who: All Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-645-8333
Commonweal — Cancer Help Program
📍 Available to MA residents (retreat in California)
Commonweal runs week-long healing retreats for people with cancer, featuring yoga, meditation, group support, massage, and time in nature. While the retreat is in California, Massachusetts residents can apply, and the program offers a deeply transformative experience of community and self-care.
- Week-long healing retreats
- Yoga, meditation, and group support
- Massage and bodywork
- Sliding scale fees available
Who: Cancer patients seeking a retreat experience
Cost: Sliding scale ($800-2,800)
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
📍 Statewide
Massachusetts workers can receive up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave for their own serious health condition, including cancer treatment, or up to 12 weeks of family leave to care for a family member with cancer. Benefits replace up to 80% of wages — a lifeline for families who cannot afford to miss paychecks.
- Up to 20 weeks paid medical leave for own illness
- Up to 12 weeks paid family leave for caregiving
- Up to 80% wage replacement
- Job protection while on leave
Who: Massachusetts workers (most employees eligible)
Cost: Free to apply (benefits funded through payroll contributions)
Phone: 877-414-4447
Testicular Cancer Foundation — New England
📍 Statewide (online)
Provides support and resources specifically for testicular cancer patients — typically young men who face unique concerns about fertility, body image, and returning to normal life. Their online community and peer support connect young men across Massachusetts.
- Online peer support community
- Fertility preservation resources
- Awareness and education programs
- Financial assistance referrals
Who: Testicular cancer patients and survivors
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-227-2345
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — Cancer Support Services
📍 Burlington
Lahey’s cancer center provides comprehensive support services including oncology social work, financial counseling, support groups, and integrative therapies for patients in the northern suburbs. Part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, they connect patients to a larger network of resources.
- Oncology social workers and patient navigators
- Financial counseling and assistance
- Support groups and wellness programs
- Integrative medicine options
Who: Lahey cancer patients
Cost: Free (support services)
Cleaning for a Reason — Massachusetts
📍 Statewide (participating cleaning services)
Provides free house cleaning to women undergoing cancer treatment through a network of participating cleaning services across Massachusetts. When you can barely get through the day, having someone else clean your home is not a luxury — it is one less thing on your plate.
- Free house cleaning during treatment
- Up to 2 cleanings per month for 4 months
- Application and referral required
- Network of participating local cleaners
Who: Women undergoing cancer treatment
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-877-337-3348
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)
📍 Statewide (online directory)
CFAC is a coalition of organizations that provide financial help to cancer patients. Their searchable online directory lets you find programs by cancer type, type of assistance needed, and location — a one-stop shop for discovering financial aid you did not know existed.
- Searchable financial assistance database
- Filter by cancer type and need
- Links to dozens of assistance programs
- Updated regularly
Who: Cancer patients seeking financial assistance
Cost: Free
Explore support in nearby states: Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, or browse all states.
Not Sure Where to Start?
- Call 2-1-1 — free, 24/7, multilingual. They connect you to local programs anywhere in Massachusetts.
- Call 1-800-227-2345 — American Cancer Society specialists help with rides, lodging, support groups, and financial aid.
- Talk to your care team — ask for a social worker or patient navigator. Every major hospital in Massachusetts has them.
- Search cancerfac.org — filter by diagnosis and need.
- Apply for MA Paid Family Leave — if you or a family member needs time off for cancer, you likely qualify for paid leave at mass.gov/pfml.
- Bookmark this page. Share it. Come back anytime.