Cancer Bridges

What Cancer Bridges does

Cancer Bridges is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 2021 through the merger of Cancer Caring Center (established 1988) and Our Clubhouse (established 2006 as Gilda's Club of Western Pennsylvania). The organization provides free cancer support programs and services to anyone impacted by cancer — patients, survivors, caregivers, family members, bereaved friends, and children — across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Its program portfolio spans short-term supportive counseling delivered by licensed clinical social workers, 20+ cancer-specific support groups (Breast, Prostate, Brain Tumor, Grief, etc.), health and wellness classes (yoga, Reiki, meditation, Zumba), creative expression workshops, social activities, and educational lectures. Specialized offerings include the Family and Youth Program staffed by a Certified Child Life Specialist, Camp Clubhouse (children's and teen day camps), Connected by Courage, Living Life After Cancer (nine-week post-treatment program), Moving Through Grief (ten-week bereavement program), and Happy Feet Wellness Program. Services are delivered in person at the Strip District headquarters (2816 Smallman Street), virtually via Zoom, and at community partner sites including Seton Hill University and WVU Uniontown Hospital.

The business is donor-funded rather than revenue-generating in a commercial sense. Income streams comprise individual donations at suggested tiers of $50, $115, $200, $500, and $1,000 (with a monthly recurring option), corporate matching gifts facilitated through Double the Donation, signature fundraising events (Light Up Gala, Summer Send-Off, Rock Against Cancer, plus the Rock Steelers Style fashion show with the Pittsburgh Steelers), branded merchandise (including the Promise Pinkie Ring co-marketed with Caesar's Designs), in-honor or in-memory donation dedications, and institutional grants (e.g., Bayer Foundation 2022). Membership and all programs are entirely free; no payment is collected from members. The organization is led by Executive Director Stephanie Ciranni, MS, alongside a Clinical Director, Program Director, Development Director, and an 11-50 employee team supported by volunteers, with governance vested in a Board of Directors and no parent company or external equity backing.

Name

Cancer Bridges

Legal name

Cancer Bridges

Website

https://cancerbridges.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cancer Bridges is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free counseling, cancer-specific support groups, wellness classes, and youth programming to patients, survivors, caregivers, bereaved families, and children impacted by cancer across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donations from the public, with suggested amounts of $50, $115, $200, $500, and $1,000. Monthly recurring donation option available.
2. Corporate Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gift program through Double the Donation to increase donation impact.
3. Event Fundraising: Fundraising through signature events, community fundraisers, and event sponsorships.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sales of branded merchandise including Promise Pinkie Ring partnership with Caesar's Designs and Cancer Bridges branded gear.
5. Donation Dedication: Donations can be made in honor or memory of individuals, with notification sent to designated recipients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cancer Bridges is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides free cancer support services to anyone impacted by cancer—including patients, survivors, families, caregivers, and the bereaved. Its offerings include supportive counseling, cancer-specific support groups, family and youth programming (including Camp Clubhouse), health and wellness classes (Reiki, yoga, meditation), creative expression workshops, social activities, educational lectures, and specialized survivorship and bereavement programs. Services are delivered in-person at the Pittsburgh headquarters, virtually via Zoom, and at community partner locations throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Product overview

Cancer Bridges is a nonprofit cancer support organization offering a comprehensive suite of free programs and services for individuals and families impacted by cancer. Formerly Cancer Caring Center (established 1988) and Our Clubhouse (established 2006), the organization merged in 2021 to form Cancer Bridges. The portfolio includes Family and Youth Programming with Camp Clubhouse (children's and teen camps), Connected by Courage, and Short-Term Supportive Counseling; adult programs including Support Groups (cancer-specific), Health & Wellness classes (Reiki, yoga, Zumba, meditation), Creative Expressions workshops, Social Activities, and Educational Lectures; specialized programs such as Living Life After Cancer, Moving Through Grief, and Happy Feet Wellness Program; and Community Connections providing legal services. Membership is free to anyone impacted by cancer. Programs are delivered in-person at their Pittsburgh headquarters, virtually via Zoom, and in community settings throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family and Youth Program A comprehensive program run by a Child Life Specialist to support children and families during their cancer journeys, including one-on-one counseling, education about cancer and treatments, and bereavement support.
• Camp Clubhouse Therapeutic day camps for children and teens impacted by cancer, including Children's Camp for elementary-aged youth and Teen Camp for middle and high school youth.
• Connected by Courage A six-session program for children and teens with a significant adult impacted by cancer, providing a safe space to explore feelings and build resilience.
• Short-Term Supportive Counseling Individual and family counseling with licensed mental health professionals available in person or via Zoom, focusing on evidence-informed strategies for anxiety, depression, stress, and adjustment related to cancer diagnosis.
• Health & Wellness Classes and workshops including Reiki, yoga, Zumba, meditation, and specialized health and wellness sessions designed to increase self-confidence and improve mood.
• Support Groups Regularly offered support groups focusing on emotional support and educational topics, including cancer-specific groups such as Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Brain Tumor, and Grief Support.
• Creative Expressions Creative expression workshops including creative writing circle, jewelry making, and knitting to enhance mood and reduce anxiety and stress.
• Social Activities Activities to connect members outside their home, including Gather at the Bridge, Coffee and Chat, Celebrating Survivorship, and Thanksgiving Dinner.
• Education Educational lectures on topics related to the cancer experience, presented by experts in the field.
• Living Life After Cancer A nine-week program for adults who have completed cancer treatment in the last two years, covering strategies for regaining energy through exercise and diet.
• Moving Through Grief A ten-week educational and emotional support program for those who have lost a loved one to cancer.
• Happy Feet Wellness Program A seven-week program to reduce isolation and create a proactive virtual space focusing on seven Pillars of Wellness for mental health and balance.
• Community Connections Collaboration with local organizations including legal services for wills, Power of Attorney, and Advanced Directives through Reed Smith LLP.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free programs and services provided to all members regardless of ability to pay

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Seton Hill UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partnership to hold summer camps for youth impacted by cancer at Seton Hill University's Arts Center in Summer 2026.
• WVU Uniontown HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Partnership to provide free cancer support group to patients at WVU Uniontown Hospital, bringing Cancer Bridges services directly to patients.
• Caesar's DesignscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Caesar's Designs to present the Promise Pinkie Ring, a symbol of strength, support, and solidarity in the cancer journey. The ring features a color stone representing the type of cancer that has impacted the wearer's life, wrapped in sterling silver ribbon.
• Reed Smith LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services partnership providing Wills, Power of Attorney, and Advanced Directives support for members.
• Double the DonationcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Double the Donation's matching gift platform to help donors check if their employer matches charitable contributions.
• Steelers (Pittsburgh Steelers)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPittsburgh Steelers players participate in Rock Steelers Style fashion show benefiting Cancer Bridges. Annual partnership for signature fundraising event.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6sFNAvzza8ROgijHqB5nOQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CancerBridgesPgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancerbridges
• Instagraminstagram.com/cancerbridges

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Cancer Bridges