The American Cancer Society exists to provide support for cancer patients and their families, and to help prevent more cancer diagnoses. No one needs to face cancer alone. Caring and expert help is a phone call away, no matter what time of day, morning or middle of the night.

To learn more about any of these programs, call 1-800-ACS(227)-2345, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Online Community for Survivors and Their Families: Our Cancer Survivors Network® is the first of its kind. It was created by and for cancer survivors and families to address their need to connect with others who have been touched by cancer, to share their experiences, and support one another. The phone component (1-877-333-HOPE (4673) offers pre-recorded discussions among survivors and family members that users can navigate like a talk-radio show. The Web resources provide materials and the ability to create a home page, participate in Web casts and contact other survivors.

Help for Those Just Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: Our Reach to Recovery® one-on-one support program links newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with knowledgeable breast cancer survivors. Trained volunteers support and comfort patients before, during, and after breast cancer treatment.

Free Rides to Treatment: Our Road to Recovery program provides free transportation for cancer patients to and from their treatment centers.

Support for Prostate Cancer Survivors: Man to Man® helps men and their families cope with prostate cancer by providing patient education, support to patients and family members, and awareness of prostate cancer as a major health concern for all men.

Helping with Appearance-Related Issues: Look Good…Feel Better® workshops provide physical and emotional renewal for women undergoing treatment. A free service for women with cancer that teaches beauty techniques to help enhance appearance and self-image during treatment.

Homes Away From Home for Those Traveling a Distance to Treatment: Our Hope Lodges® in Worcester, MA, Burlington, VT, and coming soon in Boston, provide a free, temporary residence for cancer outpatients who must travel a long way to treatment.

Help Finding Cancer Resources: American Cancer Society Cancer Resource Centers in selected hospitals are a place to turn for comprehensive cancer information. Click here for a list of resource centers in New England.

"tlc": Tender Loving Care, is a "magalog" (magazine/catalog) that combines helpful articles and information with products for women coping with cancer or any cancer treatment that causes hair loss. Products include wigs, hairpieces, breast forms, prostheses, bras, hats, turbans, swimwear, and helpful accessories at the lowest possible prices. From the privacy of your own home and at your leisure, you can select products for your special needs that are sometimes difficult to find in your community. Our goal is to make this difficult and challenging time easier by helping you look better, feel better, and be more comfortable. To request a copy of "tlc", call 1-800-850-9445, or visit "tlc" online .

Cancer Education Classes: I Can Cope is an educational program for people facing cancer—either personally or as a friend or family caregiver. Classes help dispel cancer myths by presenting straightforward facts and answers to your cancer-related questions about treatment, side effects, pain management, nutrition, fatigue, financial concerns, and more. I Can Cope classes are also available online.

Retreats for Cancer Patients and Their Families: The American Cancer Society’s We Can Weekend offers families the opportunity they need to step out of the rush of daily routines, come together, and meet others who are also coping with cancer. It also provides them with a community in which they can discuss issues that have been weighing on their mind. Spouses can talk to other spouses about what they are going through, and children can meet others their age who can relate to what they are going through. We Can Weekend are held once year, in the summer, at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, and at Rivier College in Nashua, NH.

Retreat for Female Breast Cancer Survivors: Twice a year, in February and September, women of all ages and all stages of breast cancer, come from throughout New England to the American Cancer Society's Adventure Weekend Hancock, NH. Whether in treatment or not, they come together to share a weekend of adventure, group support, meditation, and common experiences, participating in such activities as kayaking or snow-shoeing, a ropes course, yoga, and journaling. There is a $60 registration and the program is limited to the first 12 women who register. These weekends fill very quickly.

Great American Eat Right Challenge

Great American Smokeout

Great American Health Check