Copelink Blog

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, are a caregiver or have lost a loved one, you have likely faced unique challenges along the way. In our 80th anniversary year, we were proud to meet the needs of anyone affected by cancer through our emotional, practical and financial assistance programs and patient advocacy efforts.

In 2024, we provided over 90,000 hours of direct support, answered over 45,000 calls on our helplines and distributed financial and co-pay assistance to over 25,000 people to help ease their financial burdens.

In June, families who lost a loved one to cancer gathered for our 15th Annual Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp in Mount Pocono, PA. While participating in fun and therapeutic activities, including crafts, horseback riding, fishing and support groups, adults and children connected with others who had similar experiences.

Our in-person community programs in New York and New Jersey gave people with cancer and caregivers the opportunity to make like-minded connections. A few highlights were Women Empowerment Day and a new series of skin care workshops hosted with Christine Valmy and potluck picnic and pumpkin carving events hosted with Stupid Cancer.

Our virtual programs, which included two dozen Coping Circle Workshops on topics such as wellness and nutrition, continued to offer accessible emotional and educational support.

This year, CancerCare’s Pet Assistance and Wellness (PAW) Program launched new resources, including Helping Paws, a searchable online database connecting pet owners affected by cancer to pet care services and a new guide and videos on caring for a pet.

In October, we celebrated one year since launching myTRIAList, a free resource that helps to make clinical trials more accessible. Our Chief Executive Officer, Christine Verini, was also named in Cancer Health’s list of People Who Power Clinical Trials for her work spearheading this resource.

2024 was another successful year for CancerCare’s seasonal programs offering support to people living in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This fall, our Back-to-School Program provided age-appropriate school supplies to 187 students affected by cancer in pre-K through high school. To mark the beginning of winter, our Winter Warmth and Holiday Gift Card Programs provided children and teens affected by cancer with packages of winter accessories and holiday gift cards. Additionally, individuals aged 50+ in active treatment for cancer received new coats through our Coats for Comfort Program.

In fundraising news, CancerCare’s National Gala commemorated our 80th anniversary and paid tribute to our oncology social workers. This event raised over $1,000,000 for our free support services. Our Festival of Hope Gala in New Jersey also raised over $150,000 to fund our free programs.

In November, over 200 people participated in our annual Walk for Hope, a family-friendly 5K walk in Woodbury, NY. Previously the Lung Cancer Walk for Hope, our annual walk now includes people affected by any cancer diagnosis. Over $100,000 was raised at this event to support CancerCare’s free emotional, practical and financial services.

The size and scope of our 80-year-old organization have grown tremendously since 1944, but we have never wavered from our mission. We are humbled by every client who has ever turned to CancerCare and are grateful to our oncology social workers and resource navigators for their support. We know too well how overwhelming and difficult cancer can be. So, just as we have for the last 80 years, we look forward to providing help and hope to those who need it in the years to come.