Cancer Support Community South Bay

What Cancer Support Community South Bay does

Cancer Support Community South Bay (CSC South Bay) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in Redondo Beach, California, that delivers free psychosocial and emotional support services to cancer patients and their families across the South Bay, Long Beach, and Orange County regions. Its core service portfolio includes weekly peer support groups, individual and family counseling, cancer-specific networking groups (lung, sarcoma, breast), healthy lifestyle and mind-body classes, educational workshops, offsite groups at partner hospitals, and a dedicated Kids & Teens program for children ages five and up who are affected by a loved one's diagnosis. All programs are evidence-based in psychosocial oncology and offered completely free of charge, with the organization explicitly stating it does not want cost to be a barrier to support. A signature cultural offering, Celebrando, extends culturally tailored programming to the Hispanic community in the region.

Underlying the in-person service model is a digital infrastructure largely accessed through the organization's affiliation with the national Cancer Support Community (Washington, D.C.). This includes the MyLifeLine private website platform for patient-family connectivity (with discussion boards moderated 24/7 by licensed mental health professionals), the CancerSupportSource online distress screening tool, the Cancer Experience Registry for patient-reported outcomes, and a toll-free Cancer Support Helpline staffed by navigators with 170+ years of combined experience, offering support in over 200 languages. An online video library extends educational content for remote access. The organization does not develop proprietary technology but acts as a regional delivery channel for national CSC platforms.

CSC South Bay is funded entirely through philanthropic channels — no federal or state funding is received. Revenue streams include individual donations (anchored by 100+ Victors Circle donors giving $1,000+ annually), corporate sponsorships (raising $200,000+ per year through signature events, lunch-and-learns, and on-site activities; sponsors include Chevron, Malaga Bank, Capital Group, Terranea Resort, and PDM CPAs), private foundation grants, legacy/planned giving through the Legacy of Hope Society, and event fundraising via three to four annual signature events (Celebrate Wellness Gala, Girls Night Out, Together We Walk, and Tour de Pier). The organization operates with 1-10 paid staff supported by 200+ volunteers, and is governed by a Board of Directors with Executive Director Jillian Van Leuven at the helm, succeeding long-tenured former ED Judith Opdahl. Healthcare-provider referral partnerships with Torrance Memorial, City of Hope South Bay, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and Providence form the primary bottom-of-funnel acquisition channel for participants.

Name

Cancer Support Community South Bay

Legal name

Cancer Support Community South Bay

Website

https://cscsouthbay.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cancer Support Community South Bay is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that provides free, evidence-based psychosocial support, counseling, education, and healthy-lifestyle programs to cancer patients and families across the South Bay, Long Beach, and Orange County regions, funded entirely by donations and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services (Nonprofit Psychosocial Oncology)

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Psychosocial oncology programs
• Patient support groups
• Cancer counseling services
• Nonprofit cancer resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Redondo Beach

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: CSC South Bay relies exclusively on the generosity of individuals to fund all programs completely free of charge. The organization does not receive federal or state funding and is not supported by any large cancer organizations. Victors Circle members are donors who have made a gift of $1,000 or more annually, providing financial flexibility.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: The organization raises over $200,000 per year from corporate sponsors through two annual signature events (Celebrate Wellness and Girls Night Out), monthly lunch-and-learn workshops, and on-site activities. Corporate sponsors receive local press exposure and build awareness of their community commitment.
3. Foundation Grants: Funding from private foundations to support programs and operations.
4. Legacy/Planned Giving: Legacy of Hope Society members have pledged gifts through wills or other legacy gift planning to help ensure the organization's future sustainability.
5. Event Fundraising: Three signature events per year: Tour de Pier, Celebrate Wellness Gala, and Girls Night Out generate fundraising revenue while building community engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cancer Support Community South Bay is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free psychosocial and emotional support services to cancer patients and their loved ones in the South Bay, Long Beach, and Orange County regions. The organization runs weekly support groups, individual counseling, cancer-specific networking groups, healthy lifestyle classes, educational workshops, and a Kids & Teens program, and also provides access to digital tools including a helpline, distress screening, and a patient connectivity platform. All programs are evidence-based and offered at no charge.

Product overview

Cancer Support Community South Bay is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive portfolio of free psychosocial support services for cancer patients and their loved ones. The organization operates as a service-based nonprofit rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include weekly support groups, individual counseling, cancer-specific networking groups, healthy lifestyle classes, and educational workshops—all provided completely free of charge. The organization also maintains digital resources including the Cancer Support Helpline, MyLifeLine patient connection platform, CancerSupportSource distress screening, and a video library. As an affiliate of the national Cancer Support Community, it connects users to additional programs including the Cancer Experience Registry research initiative and the 'Frankly Speaking About Cancer' educational series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Support Groups Peer support groups meeting regularly to provide emotional support and shared experiences for cancer patients and their loved ones.
• Counseling Services Professional counseling services for individuals and families affected by cancer.
• Networking Groups Cancer-specific networking groups such as Lung Cancer, Sarcoma, and breast cancer that connect patients facing similar diagnoses.
• Healthy Lifestyle Classes Exercise and nutrition classes designed to support the physical wellbeing of cancer patients.
• Educational Workshops Workshops on cancer-related topics led by healthcare professionals, covering topics such as coping strategies and treatment information.
• Kids & Teens Program Support programs for children and teens, including the Kids Community to help children cope with a loved one's cancer diagnosis.
• Cancer Support Helpline Toll-free helpline staffed by community navigators with over 170 years of combined experience, providing guidance, resources, and support in over 200 languages.
• MyLifeLine Online platform for cancer patients to create private websites to connect with friends and family, reduce stress and isolation, and receive social and practical support.
• CancerSupportSource Online distress screening program for cancer patients and caregivers.
• Cancer Experience Registry Free, confidential online survey for cancer survivors and caregivers to share their experience and contribute to improving Cancer Support Community services.
• Frankly Speaking About Cancer Landmark cancer education series with workshops led by healthcare professionals on various cancer-related topics.
• Video Library Online collection of educational and supportive video content for cancer patients and families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provided psychosocial and emotional support to over 28,000 cancer patients and their loved ones since 1987
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Torrance MemorialcoreOthersHealthcare provider and community partner providing referrals and collaborative support for cancer patients in the South Bay region.
• City of Hope South BaycoreOthersCancer treatment center partner providing referrals and collaborative support for cancer patients.
• Kaiser Permanente Southern CaliforniacoreOthersHealthcare provider partner serving cancer patients in the Southern California region.
• ProvidencecoreOthersHealthcare system partner providing referrals and collaborative support for cancer patients.
• Cancer Support Community (National)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization affiliation providing access to national resources, the Cancer Support Helpline network, Cancer Experience Registry, MyLifeLine platform, Frankly Speaking About Cancer educational series, and a broad network of national resources.
• ChevronminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial support for free cancer support programs.
• Malaga BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial support for programs.
• Capital GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial support for programs.
• Terranea ResortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and venue partner for events.
• PDM CPAsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial support.
• Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancer-focused nonprofit partner providing resources and support connections.
• Vistas for ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's services nonprofit partner providing resources and support connections.
• SandpipersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen's volunteer organization providing volunteer support and fundraising assistance.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CancerCare: National nonprofit providing free, professional support services including counseling, support groups, educational workshops, and financial assistance to anyone affected by cancer; directly comparable mission and free-service model.
• Imerman Angels: Nonprofit providing free one-on-one peer mentorship for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers; comparable mission of personalized emotional support through trained community members.
• Gilda's Club: Affiliate network of CSC offering free psychosocial support, support groups, and educational workshops for cancer patients in clubhouse settings; essentially the same operating model with shared roots in The Wellness Community.
• Wellness House: Community-based nonprofit offering free psychosocial support, education, and healthy lifestyle programs for people impacted by cancer; essentially the same community-cancer-support model in a different US region.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest US cancer-focused nonprofit offering patient support programs including Road to Recovery, lodging, and 24/7 helpline; overlaps with CSC South Bay's patient-support mission at much greater scale.
• Cancer Support Community (National): National parent organization and broader network providing the same psychosocial oncology model, helpline, and digital platforms that CSC South Bay delivers locally; directly comparable as the umbrella affiliation.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: While focused on pediatric family lodging during treatment, RMHC shares the 'free community support for families facing serious illness' model and donor/volunteer-driven nonprofit structure.
• Livestrong: Large-scale cancer survivorship nonprofit providing navigation, emotional support, and resources; broader national brand but overlapping focus on psychosocial support for cancer patients and survivors.

Emerging players

• Stupid Cancer: Nonprofit focused on young adult cancer support, providing digital communities, meetups, and resources; comparable psychosocial support mission targeting a narrower demographic.

Regional players

• Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research: LA-based cancer-focused nonprofit partner of CSC South Bay offering disease-specific patient resources and support; comparable in being a Southern California cancer nonprofit with overlapping donor and partner networks.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1z7MotFQ1pABbKcrcRVu-w
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSCSouthBay
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancer-support-community-south-bay
• Instagraminstagram.com/cscsouthbay
• Xx.com/CSCSouthBay

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Support Community South Bay