What CancerCare does

CancerCare (legal entity: Cancer Care, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1944 and headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, New York, with a secondary site in Deer Park, NY. It delivers free, professional psychosocial and financial support services to anyone affected by cancer in the United States, with no charge to patients, caregivers, or loved ones. Service delivery is led by master's-prepared oncology social workers and includes individual/family counseling, phone/online/in-person support groups, Connect Education Workshops (36,614 participants annually), Connect Education-style publications covering 150+ diagnoses, financial and copay assistance (25,609 recipients), and specialized programs for children, young adults, the bereaved, and pet owners (PAW Program). The organization also operates the Cancer Out Loud podcast and the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (CCAF), a wholly-owned 501(c)(3) supporting organization established in 2008 that provides copay, coinsurance, and deductible funding under OIG Opinion 07-11 via the CoPay Connect portal.

The revenue model is philanthropic and not transactional: there are no fees for services, and CancerCare is funded by individual donations, planned giving/bequests (1944 Legacy Society), corporate sponsorships through the tiered Corporate Circle of Hope (Champion: Gilead, Merck, Pfizer; Sustainer: J&J Health Care Systems; Friend: 20+ additional pharma/biotech firms including Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Lilly, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Takeda), special events (TCS NYC Marathon team, Festival of Hope Gala, regional Walk/Run for Hope), and dedicated CCAF funding for copay assistance. Distribution is multi-channel: Hopeline (800-813-HOPE), CCAF (866-55-COPAY), CoPay Connect self-serve portal, virtual workshops, in-person offices, and a social/earned-media presence across Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Operationally, the organization employs 101–250 staff and reports 106,699 annual service hours and 41,956 helpline calls. Core technology is limited to web-based patient portals (CoPay Connect, online enrollment) — there is no AI/ML component, no app, no API, and no proprietary software product. Governance is provided by a Board of Trustees; leadership includes CEO Christine Verini, SVP/CFO John Rutigliano, Chief Advancement Officer Melissa Magyar, and CCAF Executive Director Michele McCourt. The organization holds Charity Navigator Four Star, Candid 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency, and 501(c)(3) / OIG compliance certifications.

Name

CancerCare

Legal name

Cancer Care, Inc.

Website

https://cancercare.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CancerCare is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1944 that provides free professional oncology social work, counseling, support groups, education, and financial/copay assistance to cancer patients, caregivers, and the bereaved across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical Oncology (HLAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Palliative Care Clinics & Outpatient Programs (HLADAHAF), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO)

Keywords

• Oncology social work
• Cancer support services
• Co-payment assistance
• Patient support groups
• Caregiver counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: CancerCare receives donations from individual supporters who contribute to fund free cancer support services. The organization operates donation portals on its website and offers various giving options including one-time gifts, monthly giving, and tribute gifts.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Pharmaceutical and biotech companies sponsor CancerCare through the Corporate Circle of Hope program, providing financial support at Champion, Sustainer, and Friend tiers. Companies including Gilead, Merck, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and others participate.
3. Planned Giving and Bequests: CancerCare accepts planned gifts including bequests through wills and trusts, appreciated securities, IRA distributions, and life insurance. The 1944 Legacy Society recognizes donors who include CancerCare in their estate plans.
4. Co-Payment Assistance Foundation Funding: The CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (CCAF) receives funding from individuals, corporate sponsors, pharmaceutical companies, and foundations to provide co-payment assistance to insured cancer patients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CancerCare provides free, professional oncology social work services to anyone affected by cancer, including individual, family, and couples counseling; peer support groups (in-person, phone, online); Connect Education Workshops led by oncology experts; financial and co-payment assistance; resource navigation; publications; and specialized programs (PAW, Wig Bank, bereavement support, assistance funds). All services are delivered by master's-prepared oncology social workers at no cost to patients, caregivers, loved ones, or the bereaved.

Product overview

CancerCare is a nonprofit cancer support organization offering a comprehensive suite of free professional support services. The core offerings include counseling, resource navigation, support groups, Connect Education Workshops, publications, financial and co-pay assistance, specialized programs for children and pets, community programs, and Coping Circle Workshops. The organization operates the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (CCAF) as a dedicated sub-brand for financial assistance, along with specialized programs like the Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program, Wig Bank, and various disease-specific assistance funds. CancerCare also provides the Cancer Out Loud Podcast for peer support and the CoPay Connect patient portal for managing assistance grants. Services are delivered by master's-prepared oncology social workers and are completely free of charge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (CCAF): A nonprofit organization dedicated to removing insurance barriers by helping qualified patients afford co-payments, coinsurance and deductibles for prescribed cancer treatments.

Products and services

• Counseling (Oncology Social Work) Free professional counseling delivered by master's-prepared oncology social workers providing emotional and practical support for cancer patients, caregivers, loved ones, and the bereaved.
• Support Groups Peer connection opportunities delivered over the phone, online, and in person, including disease-specific and population-specific groups (e.g., for caregivers, young adults, and the bereaved).
• Connect Education Workshops Educational workshops led by leading oncology experts that provide cancer-related information, latest treatment updates, coping strategies, and learning opportunities for patients and caregivers.
• Resource Navigation Professional guidance and resource identification that helps patients overcome barriers to accessing cancer care and related support services.
• Financial and Co-Payment Assistance Free help finding financial resources and direct co-payment, coinsurance, and deductible assistance for insured cancer patients facing treatment-related costs.
• Publications Cancer-related informational materials and publications covering 150+ diagnoses and topics for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Specialized Programs Targeted programs addressing the unique needs of specific populations affected by cancer, including children of patients, adolescents/young adults (AYA), and pets of patients.
• Community Programs Free community-based programs offered in-person and virtually, including Moving for Life exercise classes, Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp, and other local engagement activities.
• Coping Circle Workshops Virtual educational and supportive workshops exploring various aspects of coping with cancer for patients and caregivers.
• Cancer Out Loud Podcast Podcast featuring conversations with people affected by cancer, oncology social workers, and partners (e.g., Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, BCAN), providing help and hope through shared experience.
• CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (CCAF) Wholly-owned nonprofit foundation providing direct co-payment, coinsurance, and deductible assistance to insured cancer patients, in compliance with HHS OIG guidance (OIG Opinion 07-11, modified 2015).
• Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program Program helping cancer patients care for their pets by providing financial assistance for pet-related costs such as food, veterinary care, and boarding during treatment.
• CancerCare Gets You There Transportation Assistance Fund Financial assistance fund providing transportation support to help cancer patients get to their medical treatments and appointments.
• CoPay Connect Patient Portal Secure online portal enabling patients and providers to enroll in co-payment assistance, review grant balances, submit and review claims, upload documents, and manage portal users.
• CancerCare CAR-T Caregiver Assistance Fund Financial assistance fund specifically for caregivers of patients undergoing CAR-T cell therapy to offset costs associated with caregiving responsibilities.
• CancerCare Caregiver Financial Assistance Fund Financial support for cancer caregivers to help offset costs associated with caregiving responsibilities while a loved one is in treatment.
• CancerCare Clinical Trial Financial Assistance Fund Financial assistance fund providing support to cancer patients participating in clinical trials to help cover costs related to trial participation.
• Wig Bank Free wig program, operated in partnership with Hair We Share, providing wigs to individuals experiencing medical hair loss at CancerCare's Deer Park, NY location with community events.
• MyTRIAList Clinical Trials Resource Clinical trials resource developed with the myTRIAList team to help cancer patients connect with clinical trials and navigate the process from screening through participation.
• Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp Bereavement camp for families who have lost a loved one to cancer, providing in-person grief support, peer connection, and healing programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 106,699 hours of support provided annually through Hopeline, counseling, support groups, and community programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.

• Pioneer InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026CancerCare and Pioneer Institute released a joint study on May 26, 2026 analyzing 2023 RAND Corporation hospital financial data across 3,999 hospitals on the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The study examined financial outcomes and community benefit comparing 340B and non-340B hospitals. Findings are being used to advocate for federal policy reforms to increase transparency and accountability in the 340B program.
• Hair We SharecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025Hair We Share and CancerCare launched a new Wig Bank with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Deer Park, NY on October 29, 2025. The program provides free wigs to individuals experiencing medical hair loss. The event featured wig styling by Lindenhurst Cosmetology students using Moroccan Oil products, emphasizing community collaboration and empathy. The Wig Bank offers appointments at CancerCare's Deer Park location with ongoing community events planned.
• GileadcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope. Gilead supports CancerCare's mission to provide free support services to cancer patients and caregivers.
• MerckcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope. Merck supports CancerCare's programs and initiatives for cancer patients.
• PfizercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope. Pfizer supports CancerCare's mission to help people manage the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer.
• Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc.moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainer-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• AmgenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• AstraZenecaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• BioNTechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• Blueprint MedicinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• Boehringer IngelheimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• Bristol Myers SquibbminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• Daiichi SankyominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• EisaiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• EMD SeronominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• Exact SciencesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• ExelixisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• GenmabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• GSKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• Jazz PharmaceuticalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• LillyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• NovartisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• RegeneronminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• SanofiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• ServierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• TakedaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend-level member of CancerCare's Corporate Circle of Hope.
• GileadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Cancer Out Loud podcast.
• GlaxoSmithKlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Cancer Out Loud podcast.
• IlluminaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Cancer Out Loud podcast.
• Triple Negative Breast Cancer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancerCare and the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation have partnered since 2009 to provide vital support to those affected by triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). They partner on special episodes of the Cancer Out Loud podcast and comprehensive support services for TNBC patients.
• Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancerCare partners with BCAN to highlight patient voices like Steven Gruber's bladder cancer survivorship story on the Cancer Out Loud podcast during Bladder Cancer Awareness Month.
• Lindenhurst Cosmetology StudentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents from Lindenhurst Cosmetology provided wig styling services using Moroccan Oil products at the Hair We Share and CancerCare Wig Bank ribbon-cutting ceremony.
• Moroccan OilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProducts donated for the wig styling event at the Hair We Share and CancerCare Wig Bank launch.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cancercare
• YouTubeyoutube.com/cancercareinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/cancercare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancercare
• Instagraminstagram.com/cancercareus
• TikToktiktok.com/@cancercareus

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CancerCare