Support

OCRA’s Supportive Services

  • Staying Connected Online Support Groups
    Gynecologic cancer patients, survivors, family and friends are invited to join this free virtual support series, facilitated by OCRA’s Patient Support team. Groups meet weekly and monthly, and focus on a variety of topics. Advance registration is required.
  • Woman to Woman Peer Mentorship
    This free, unique support program connects gynecologic cancer patients with trained survivor volunteers who provide a listening ear, emotional support and mentoring. Available at select program sites, and as a virtual option, for all who apply.
  • OCRA Patient Support Line
    Need to talk? OCRA’s Patient Support team is just a phone call away. Call 212-268-1002 and they miss your call, someone will call you back within 24 hours.
  • Inspire Forum
    OCRA’s free online support forum though Inspire is a welcoming community of patients, survivors and others touched by ovarian cancer. Ask questions, find kinship with others who have experienced ovarian cancer, and more.

Additional Support Resources

  • CancerCare
    CancerCare provides a variety of support services for cancer patients and their caregivers, including one-on-one counseling and online support groups.
  • CaringBridge
    CaringBridge.org is a non-profit where you can create a personalized web site to share updates with your friends and family. The site allows you to keep a journal to share updates, create a planner to coordinate help from your friends, post photos and find encouragement.
  • Cancer Support Community
    The Cancer Support Community is an international nonprofit dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer.
  • The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
    The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for LGBTQIA+ patients as well equality for LGBTQIA+ health professionals. GLMA utilizes the scientific expertise of its diverse multidisciplinary membership to inform and drive advocacy, education, and research.
  • GCT Survivor Sisters! Facebook Group
    GCT Survivor Sisters is a “closed” Facebook group that is open to granulosa cell tumor survivors, as well as mothers and survivors of juvenile GCT.
  • Jasper
    Jasper is a smart planner for your cancer care. Includes service to assist in reviewing bills and insurance claims.
  • Lotsa Helping Hands
    A place to coordinate meals and help for friends and family.
  • LiveStrong
    The LiveStrong Foundation provides a range of programs and resources for cancer survivors, including programs for navigating treatment, survivorship, fertility, and finances.
  • MyLifeLine.org
    Offered by Cancer Support Community in partnership with OCRA, create a free website to communicate with family and friends about your cancer treatment, ask for assistance and more.
  • Nancy’s List
    Nancy’s List was created by an ovarian cancer survivor. The extremely comprehensive site includes information links, book recommendations, essays, financial assistance resources, scholarship information, and academic advocacy links.
  • National LGBT Cancer Network
    National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by educating, training, and advocating.
  • Ovarian Cancer Canada
    This Canadian association is dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer, supporting women diagnosed with the disease, building awareness within both the public and healthcare industry, and funding research.
  • Ovacome
    This support network in the United Kingdom provides information and support for everyone affected by ovarian cancer.
  • Queering Cancer
    Queering Cancer is a Canada based website offering patient stories and information for LGBTQIA+ individuals with cancer and their loved ones. With an emphasis on inclusion, Queering Cancer is committed to transforming cancer care to better address the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ people impacted by cancer.
  • SHARE
    SHARE is a nationwide community that brings support, information and the benefit of experience to women of all ages, races, and backgrounds facing breast or ovarian cancer, and their caregivers. Free services include a helpline staffed by peers, support groups, seminars on the treatment of cancer and living with it, and dedicated support from someone who’s been there.
  • Sharsheret
    Sharsheret is a national not-for-profit organization supporting young Jewish women and their families facing breast and ovarian cancer. Sharsheret provides education, outreach, community action events, and 1:1 support. The Foundation has some helpful publications such as “Facing Ovarian Cancer as a Jewish Woman” and “From the Practical to the Spiritual.”
  • Steps Through OC
    Steps Through OC is a six-month program from The Clearity Foundation consisting of free professional counseling in tandem with education, referrals and other resources for women facing ovarian cancer, and their caregivers. 
  • Support Connection
    Support Connection provides one-on-one counseling and other support services, all free of charge, to women dealing with ovarian cancer as well as their family and friends. The Peer Counselors on Support Connection’s staff are cancer survivors themselves. You can speak with a Peer Counselor via toll-free telephone at 800-532-4290, or reach out via email at this link.

Support for Caregivers, Spouse and Children

  • AARP: Family Caregiving
    A list of available resources for caregivers.
  • Cancer Hope Network
    One on one mentor support available for caregivers and patients.
  • Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
    CAN offers resources and tools for caregivers in a variety of situations, including those who are new to being a caregiver, those who have been caregivers for a long time and those caring for a relative from a distance.
  • Grief Center
    Grief Center is an Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss. There are e-mail support groups and other web sites.
  • Help for Cancer Caregivers
    This website is a free tool developed for cancer caregivers to assess and manage their own health and wellness needs.
  • National Cancer Institute: When Your Parent Has Cancer
    A workbook for teens that may help your child express concerns and feelings while decreasing sense of isolation.
  • National Cancer Institute: Talking Time
    Information from NCI about how cancer can affect families, including children, spouses, parents and other family members.
  • Well Spouse Association
    The Well Spouse Association provides resources and support to people who are caring for a spouse with a chronic illness or disability.

Camps, Retreats and Wish Programs

  • A Fresh Chapter
    A Fresh Chapter empowers men and women to step beyond the label of cancer patient, survivor, or caregiver while giving back to communities at home and abroad. Offers 1-2 week volunteer experiences to help participants see that struggle is universal and it’s possible to heal, connect, and serve others while reclaiming your life.
  • Camp Braveheart
    Oncology camp for women with several programs a year (fee).
  • Camp Good Days and Happy Times
    Woman’s oncology group session and SOAR (supportive spouse/ friend) session.
  • Camp Kesem
    Free sleep-away camp for kids and teens who have a parent with cancer (or who have experienced the death of a parent to cancer).
  • Camp Mak-A-Dream
    Young adult and women adult retreat programs available whether newly diagnosed or long-term survivor.
  • Camp Weiser (part of the Me-One Foundation)
    Family camp for adult with cancer, partner and children.
  • Dream Foundation
    Organization that grants terminally ill adults a wish.
  • Epic Experience After Cancer
    A week long outdoor adventure for individuals 18 and older who have been diagnosed with cancer.
  • First Descents
    First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same.
  • Harmony Hill
    Offers a 3-day retreat at no cost and weekend wellness workshops (for fee).
  • Reeling and Healing Midwest
    Fly fishing retreat for women surviving cancer (registration fee).
  • Second Wind Retreat
    A peaceful location for an adult facing cancer to get away from the stress of treatment.
  • Send It Foundation
    An outdoor adventure for young adult survivors.
  • Stowe Weekend of Hope
    A weekend filled with education, support and peer connections in Stowe, VT each May.