Amanda's Connections

We created Amanda’s Connections because we understand how difficult it is to navigate the childhood cancer journey, and find resources that are available to you. Check out Amanda’s Connections, a group of highly impactful organizations that work every day to support families like you!


 

American Cancer Society’s mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.

ACS provides cancer information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

 

 

Transportation challenges create one of the most daunting barriers to healthcare—a barrier second only to the cost. As a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization, Angel Flight West's volunteer pilots fly people to their medical appointments at no cost to the passenger. 

 

 

Anilú's Partners designs covers for the I.V poles. The covers have fun characters and designs made by volunteers. "The once sterile and intimidating machines are now fun and inviting companions full of personality".

 

 
 

The Armer Foundation For Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to easing the financial burdens of families with children battling extreme medical conditions. When health insurance is not enough, we assist with copays, premiums, deductibles, and any medical-related out-of-pocket expenses.

 

 

The Austin Hatcher Foundation's mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize the entire family’s quality of life through specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and throughout survivorship.  We provide a variety of services to entire families facing pediatric cancer at no cost to them, and all of the services are specific to what the family would need. Mental Health Psychosocial Services provide children and families with the tools to cope in the present and thrive in the future after childhood cancer.

 

 

Billy’s Place is a free grief support center in the West Vally for ages 3 and up.

 

 

The Birth to Five Helpline is a free  service open to all Arizona families with young children looking for the latest child development information from experts in the field. It combines sensitive, supportive listening with sound information from professionals who have expertise in early childhood development and
parenting/caregiving.

 

 

Bravery Bag Covers

We are on a mission to give every child living with an Ostomy the confidence to be themselves.

 

 

Camp Māk-A-Dream is a cost-free, medically supervised Montana camp for individuals and families affected by cancer.

 

 

Cancer for College provides hope and inspiration by granting need-based scholarships and educational experiences to high-achieving cancer survivors. 

 

 

Candlelighters supports, serves and advocates for children and
adolescents with cancer and other blood disorders their families, long term survivors,
bereaved families, and the professionals that care for them.

 

 

Through our relationships with cancer related organizations we’ve made it our
mission to bring light to childhood cancer issues and help advance childhood cancer
causes.

 

 

The Arizona Childhood Cancer Coalition is a networking group of healthcare workers from nonprofit organizations and hospitals who serve Arizona’s childhood cancer community. This is an open group of caring professionals who believe that networking and collaborative work create positive effects for the families we serve.

 

 

CBTF is a national organization which provides quality-of- life research and programs for all members of the family throughout the brain tumor continuum. CBTF has helped over 50,000 families through its Bereavement, Survivorship, Family 2 Family and Advocacy programs.

 

 

Children’s Cancer Cause promotes public health policies that help children with cancer and survivors live longer, healthier lives. The national advocacy organization empowers survivors and families to become advocates for themselves and others by arming them with information, resources, and advocacy training.

 

 

We’re a proud member of the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer! CAC2 effectively advances a variety of childhood cancer causes by unifying the childhood cancer community through broad-based coordinated action and collaboration that leverages the strengths and expertise of its individual members and minimizes duplication of effort.

 

 

Our purpose is to provide some amount of financial support through financial aid as it can be incredibly difficult to maintain stability with the emotional and financial toll of treatment in addition to academics. By providing financial aid to college students diagnosed with cancer, Come Together Fund hopes to ease any burdens and provide a light in a time of darkness.

 

 

Crowns of Courage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing halo wigs to children undergoing chemotherapy, at NO cost to the family. Our mission is to reach as many pediatric patients as possible and help them overcome the fear of chemotherapy related hair loss.

 

 

Students with cancer face many of those same challenges, and sometimes even more. The purpose of this guide is to increase understanding of and awareness for college students with cancer and provide resources and expert insight they can use to help them find success.

 

 

Elephants and Tea's mission to help adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, survivors and caregivers know they are not alone in their fight with cancer. The Elephant in the room is cancer. Tea is the relief conversation provides.
We are the only magazine written for and by the AYA cancer community telling their story in their own words. Elephants and Tea is the nonprofit media brand of the Steven G. Cancer Foundation.

 

 

Glimmer of Hope is a nonprofit organization showing girls their strength and beauty through the donation of bald dolls and providing HOPE to families battling childhood cancer. We do this all in honor of Ella Integlia who bravely battled Leukemia twice before passing away in August 2019. When Ella was first lost her hair, she wrote a letter to American Girl asking them to create a ball doll. She named her doll hope. Now “ Hope”is spreading joy to thousands of girls battling cancer worldwide.

 

 

The Goliath Project provides support and funds for student-athletes to work with athletic trainers and nutrition professionals, and gain mental health support following their pediatric cancer treatment. They recognize that sports are an integral part of a student's life and want to equip athletes with gear, experiences, and encouraging gifts to cheer them on as they return to their sport.

 

 

Grahamtastic Connection provides free technology to children with cancer and other serious illnesses to support their education, as well as their social and emotional well-being.

Technology, including iPads, laptops, tele-presence robots and Internet access, enables our children to continue their education during treatment while also remaining connected to family, friends and medical providers.

We support US children ages 3-18 unless they are taking college courses, then we extend to age 22.

 

 

HopeKids provides an ongoing calendar of free events and a unique support community for families who have a child with a life threatening medical condition. 

 

 

The Hope Portal is for any childhood cancer families who need information, support, or assistance. Click the logo for the most complete collection of resources for families and the fastest access to help.

 

 

Leukemia Foundation for Arizona's Children’s goal is to assist with daily living expenses, sibling care and help fund community support services for families with children diagnosed with leukemia.

 

 

Lighthouse For Hope strives to fight alongside families experiencing the physical, emotional, and financial setbacks caused by pediatric cancer by providing them with support and assistance for daytoday necessities.

 

 

The Magic Yarn Project is a 100% volunteer organization with a mission to create magic in the lives of children battling cancer, while inspiring volunteerism to help make a difference. They provide whimsical, giggle-inducing character wigs and beanies that invite children back to the world of imagination and play during a very difficult time. Thanks to our generous donors, wigs are always free for the families who receive them.

 

 

MIB Agents is a nationwide leading pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit dedicated to Making It Better for our community of patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers through programs, education, and research.

 

 

Miracle Flights flies individuals and families to treatment, second opinions, follow-up visits and clinical trials from the U.S. to U.S.-based treatment centers. They also fly people to retrieve/train service dogs.

 

 

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit dedicated to the childhood brain tumor community. We serve the more than 28,000 U.S. children and teens battling brain tumors by investing in the most promising research and providing practical, informational and emotional support to families.

 

 

Sing Me a Story gives children in need the opportunity to write and illustrate stories about anything they want. They then give those stories to songwriters and musicians who turn them into songs and send them back to the kids.

 

 

A positive future for every child. The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time.

 

 

Stepping Stones of Hope is dedicated to providing comprehensive support-based programs, continuing care and education to grieving children, families, adults and communities.

 

 

Transplant Community Alliance is charity organization that provides support services to organ transplant recipients, living donors and caregivers in Arizona.  Our hope is not to just get people back into their life after transplant, but make their life the best it can possibly be!

 

 

Transplant Families hopes to aid in resources, inspiration and education for our entire pediatric transplant community.  That includes our transplant kids, their families, our extended family the transplant team and the many wonderful organizations that assist us.  This is one community where we are all truly in it together. 

 

 

Tu Nidito is dedicated to creating a  community of acceptance and understanding regarding children in grief. It is our vision that no child grieves alone.

 

 

Village 360 is a treatment support source that is here to help with life during those treatments. Transportation to outpatient visits, friendly visits, bringing or cooking a meal, doing a load of laundry are some of the tasks that we assist with. Village 360 is set for those lacking a support system because no one should have to face cancer alone.

 

 

Wigged Out Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping residents of Arizona who are in need of a wig, hairpiece, or hair accessories, due to the effects of a documented medical condition. Our goal is to help those who have experienced hair loss improve their self-confidence, self-image, and quality of life by providing financial assistance to purchase a wig or other head covering. 

 


counseling resources

Arizona Family Therapy Group

3048 E Baseline Rd #108

Mesa, AZ 85204

(602) 492-5055

Catholic Charities

4747 N. 7th Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 285-1999

Family Christian Counseling Center of Phoenix

1300 E Missouri Ave

Phoenix, AZ

(602) 325-1233

Jewish Family & Children's Service - West Valley (also in Phx and East Valley)

1840 N 95th Ave #146

Phoenix, AZ 85037

(623) 234-9811

Information on grief on loss groups

Casa Hospice

Thursday Eastside Support Groups

An open group for newly bereaved. The group offers support and facilitated discussion of topics of immediate need in a safe environment. Individuals meet each Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at various eastside locations ( click here for details). No registration is required.

Friday Support Groups

An open group for newly bereaved. The group offers support and discussion of topics of immediate need in a safe environment with a facilitator. Individuals meet each Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Casa de la Luz Conference Center located at 7740 N. Oracle Road. Groups are conducted in Building 7760. No registration is required.

Healing Journeys

This eight-week structured group provides support and education and is appropriate for individuals who are two or more months out from the death of their loved one. The group session utilizes “Understanding Your Grief,” by Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt. Groups meet at Casa de la Luz offices and other locations around Tucson. Materials are provided. Day and evening groups are available. Dates, times, and locations vary. For information and to register call 520.544.9890