Cancer Support Community South Bay

With any cancer diagnosis come feelings of hopelessness and social isolation. The mission of Cancer Support Community South Bay is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. Since 1987, Cancer Support Community South Bay has provided psychosocial and emotional support to over 28,000 cancer patients and their loved ones. Research has shown that this type of support reduces isolation, improves quality of life, and is an important supplement to one’s medical treatment plan. We offer over 200 programs, services, classes, and workshops per month, all completely free of charge. This support is integral to cancer patients in active treatment, those returning to wellness post-treatment and long-term survivors, as well as their family members, caregivers and other loved ones, ages 5 and up. We work to empower our participants through education, resources, and community, so that no one faces cancer alone. Watch the video below to learn more about the impact of social services.

Learn more about the impact CSC South Bay made in the community last year. Read our 2024 Annual Report.

Cancer Support Community South Bay serves as a central resource for cancer-related information and referrals throughout the South Bay, Long Beach, and Orange County. We are closely connected with our local community, which provides a wide range of supportive cancer resources. As an affiliate of our parent organization, the Cancer Support Community, www.cancersupportcommunity.org, we also have access to a broad network of national resources.

Cancer Support Helpline

The Cancer Support Helpline is staffed by community navigators, resource specialists and a Helpline navigator who have over 170 years of combined experience helping people affected by cancer. The Helpline provides guidance, resources and support to cancer patients or their loved ones with a variety of needs—from getting information about cancer, identifying a local support group or just finding someone who is willing to listen. We speak your language! We provide help with coping in over 200 languages.

Cancer Support Helpline services include:

• Connecting callers to local or national resources, including support groups, transportation services and other programs
• Short-term cancer coping assistance
• Short-term housing resources
• Treatment decision planning
• Financial navigation regarding the costs of cancer and its treatments
• Specialized information and navigation in pediatric oncology, finances, clinical trials, and genetics/genomics
• Access to an online distress screening program, CancerSupportSource®
• General information about the Cancer Support Community

Our trained professionals can be reached toll-free at 1-888-793-9355 or LIVE CHAT HERE during the hours below:
Monday through Thursday: 6 am – 4 pm PT/9 am – 7pm ET
Friday: 6 am – 3 pm PT/9 am – 6pm ET

MyLifeline

MyLifeLine exists to easily connect cancer patients and caregivers with friends and family in order to reduce stress, anxiety and isolation. By creating your own private website, our goal is to help you find hope, regain control, document your journey, and receive social, emotional, and practical support from friends and family throughout the treatment process and beyond.

On MyLifeLine discussion boards, you can connect with others like you. Share your unique cancer experiences and offer insights, coping strategies and inspiration. Covering a wide range of topics like coping with side effects of cancer treatment, nutrition with cancer, and caregiver support, our discussion boards are moderated by licensed mental health professionals and are available 24/7.

Cancer Experience Registry

The Cancer Experience Registry^® is a free and confidential online survey for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, and for caregivers of individuals with cancer, to share their cancer experience.

The Registry provides an opportunity to give back to the cancer community. The survey covers many topics including emotional well-being, cost of care, and cancer diagnosis and treatment. The data you provide informs Cancer Support Community services and programming to benefit the greater cancer and caregiver communities.

Frankly Speaking About Cancer

Frankly Speaking About Cancer® is the Cancer Support Community’s landmark cancer education series that provides trusted information on a variety of topics important to people affected by cancer.

Each workshop is led by a health care professional specializing in the cancer-related workshop topic being presented. This unique format offers participants an opportunity to connect with others experiencing similar needs and concerns, as well as access to a health care professional outside of the doctor’s office in a comfortable, safe and relaxed environment.