For individuals in the United States navigating a diagnosis of ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer, a variety of national resources offer free products, programs, and services designed to provide emotional, practical, and financial support. These resources, updated for 2022 and provided at no cost to patients, caregivers, and families, encompass everything from care packages and comfort items to nutritional guidance, legal assistance, and specialized support for children. This guide details the available freebies and programs, their eligibility requirements, and the processes for accessing them, based exclusively on information from verified nonprofit organizations and support networks.
Care Packages and Comfort Items
Several organizations provide free care packages to patients undergoing treatment. These packages typically contain a mix of informational materials, comfort items, and inspirational tokens to help reduce stress and provide hope during a difficult time.
- Faces of Hope®: This program offers free ovarian cancer care packages that include informative and emotional support materials. The goal is to help women learn more about their diagnosis, reduce stress, and make informed decisions with their healthcare team.
- The Gracie Foundation: This foundation provides hope, strength, and positive energy through thoughtful care packages for women in the USA who are currently undergoing treatment for any type of cancer.
- Project Chemo Crochet: A national nonprofit that provides free handmade blankets to cancer patients in the USA.
- UCSF: Provides free, personalized care packages for cancer patients in the USA in active treatment to support and provide relaxation and comfort.
- General Cancer Care Packages: A free care package is available for all cancer patients (regardless of cancer type) in the USA who are in current treatment.
- NormaLeah’s sisterSTRONG Program: Offers free Hugs and Hope care packages sent via mail to ovarian cancer patients in the USA. All programs and services are available free of charge.
- Tenaciously Teal: Strives to deliver hope by providing care packs filled with day-to-day care items and a handwritten note of encouragement. Patients or loved ones can request a free comfort care kit through the organization's website.
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC): Offers a free ovarian cancer care package full of helpful information on ovarian cancer, quality of life resources, and comfort items specifically chosen by other survivors.
- Ovations for the Cure: Provides a free care package for ovarian cancer patients in the USA. The organization also runs the Butterfly Bangle program, which provides patients with a silver slip-on bracelet with teal charms as a beautiful reminder of support. To request a free care package, patients can visit the provided link.
Specialized Support Programs
Beyond general care packages, several programs offer targeted support for specific needs related to ovarian cancer treatment and recovery.
Nutritional and Wellness Support
- NOCC Intelligent Nutrition Assistant Program: This free program provides real-time knowledge and advice on nutrition needs or symptom management from registered dietitian nutritionists, nurses, and doctors who are experts in supporting ovarian cancer patients.
- Teal Comfort for the Soul: A free weekly meal service program by NOCC for those with ovarian cancer and battling compromised immune systems. The program ensures patients can stay home while still having access to healthy, nutritious meals. For questions, patients can complete the enrollment form, email the program coordinator at
[email protected], or call toll-free at (888) 682-7426. - Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation: Provides free, fun, and informative virtual sessions on health and wellness for ovarian cancer patients and those who have recently completed treatment. Session topics include yoga and nutrition. These sessions meet online monthly for six months and are completely free of charge. To join, patients can email the program coordinator at
[email protected].
Beauty and Appearance-Related Support
- Look Good Feel Better: A fun, supportive virtual program available nationwide that teaches beauty techniques to women with cancer to help manage the appearance-related side effects of treatment. The program includes lessons on skin and nail care, cosmetics, wigs and turbans, and accessories and styling. It is open to all women with cancer who are undergoing treatment. Patients can locate a convenient program session via the program finder on the organization's website.
- Chemocessories: Provides unique sets of scarves, turbans, and jewelry to women going through treatment with the intent to lift spirits, boost confidence, and provide a smile.
- Sharsheret Best Face Forward 2.0: Provides a free national wig program for breast and ovarian cancer patients in the USA. Eligibility is based on financial need. Applicants must provide proof of household income under 600% of the Federal Poverty Level and verification of a diagnosis. To apply, patients can complete the form on the Sharsheret website. The phone number for Sharsheret is (508) 655-5412.
Support for Families and Children
- Camp Kesem: Offers a free, week-long overnight summer camp experience for children aged 6 to 18 who are impacted by a parent’s cancer. The organization also has Kesem chapters at colleges and universities across the nation with student leader volunteers for local events and support.
- Sharsheret Busy Box: Each Busy Box includes resource materials to educate parents about the impact of breast and ovarian cancer or prophylactic surgery on children. The Busy Box also features a starter kit of games and activities to occupy children while a parent is at the doctor or resting after surgery or treatment.
Financial and Practical Assistance
- The Assistance Fund: A national nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to patients in the USA who have uncovered care-related expenses and meet income guidelines.
- Gas Cards: Free monthly gas cards are provided to ovarian cancer patients in the USA in active treatment to ensure the ability to make it to and from appointments. Amounts vary and are determined on an individual basis, considering the frequency of treatment, miles driven, and current gas prices. To apply, patients can visit the provided link.
- Clinical Trial Travel Assistance: Financial assistance is available for travel and lodging related to clinical trial participation. To be eligible, the patient must meet income guidelines (currently earn less than 400% of Federal Poverty Level guidelines) and provide diagnosis and clinical trial participation documentation. Patients can apply online or call 1-866-719-2767, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm ET for assistance.
Legal and Educational Resources
- Patient Advocate Foundation: Provides legal counseling and education to cancer patients about legal issues that relate to their diagnosis, such as discrimination, insurance, and financial issues.
- Triage Cancer: Offers free educational materials about the practical and legal issues that arise after a cancer diagnosis.
Digital and Community Support
- The Breasties App: A free app for patients, caregivers, and family to connect with those impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers. The app allows users to chat, join groups, attend events, and get help from experts. It can be downloaded from the Breasties website.
- NormaLeah’s sisterSTRONG Online Support Group: An online support group available for ovarian cancer patients to connect with others. All programs and services are available free of charge.
Accessing These Resources
Most of these free programs and products are available by contacting the respective organizations directly, often through their websites or via email and phone. For instance, to order a free care kit from NormaLeah’s sisterSTRONG program, patients can visit the provided link. For the NOCC Intelligent Nutrition Assistant, patients can click the link to get started. For the T.E.A.L. Amazing Lady Membership, which includes a treatment kit, patients can complete an online form on the website.
It is important to note that some programs have specific eligibility requirements. For example, the Sharsheret Best Face Forward 2.0 wig program requires proof of income and diagnosis. The Clinical Trial Travel Assistance program requires income verification and documentation of diagnosis and clinical trial participation. Patients are advised to review the eligibility criteria for each program before applying.
Conclusion
A wide array of free resources is available across the United States to support ovarian cancer patients, their families, and caregivers. These programs, provided by national nonprofits and support networks, offer essential items like care packages and comfort kits, as well as specialized services including nutritional guidance, beauty education, financial aid for travel and treatment costs, and legal assistance. By utilizing these no-cost resources, individuals navigating an ovarian cancer diagnosis can access valuable support to help them through treatment and recovery. Patients and caregivers are encouraged to explore the programs listed and contact the respective organizations for more information on how to apply or request available items.