Cancer Assistance Program

What Cancer Assistance Program does

Cancer Assistance Program (CAP) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered at 555 Concession Street in Hamilton, Ontario. Registered as a Canadian charity (#14026 2759 RR0001), CAP provides free practical support services to individuals and families affected by cancer in the greater Hamilton region and surrounding communities. The organization operates with a lean staff of approximately 15 employees supplemented by volunteers, and delivers its services through a single physical office, online request systems, and community-based outreach. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is human-coordinated and supported by a WordPress-based website, social media channels, and basic online intake forms.

CAP's core service portfolio spans four practical categories: home health equipment loans (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds) provided at no charge for as long as needed; personal care products including wigs, breast prostheses, and mastectomy bras; free transportation to and from medical appointments coordinated through online request forms; and limited parking assistance at healthcare facilities such as Juravinski Cancer Centre and Juravinski Hospital. The organization has added complementary programming including the Cancer Assist Podcast hosted by Dr. Bill Evans, an external Cap Wig Store partnership, and the CAP CARE Gift Bag product line. All client-facing services are provided at no charge, with the mission centered on reducing financial burden, removing access barriers, and supporting patient dignity during treatment.

The organization's revenue model is diversified across charitable streams: individual donations accepted online, in person, by phone, and by mail; legacy giving via wills, life insurance, and securities through the Will Power national movement; vehicle donations processed through Donate a Car Canada; merchandise sales including Donn Zver pottery ornaments, cookbooks, and Glam Julz jewelry; gift bag sales; and a recurring calendar of fundraising events including the CARE Walk & Roll, Spring Fling, Gala, Golf Classic, and online 50/50 lotteries. Corporate sponsorship has expanded in 2026 with First Ontario Credit Union as presenting sponsor of the CARE Walk & Roll, alongside LiUNA Local 837, MULTI AREA, Hamilton Firefighters Association, Meridian Credit Union, and AIM Recycling, the latter of which raised $18,000 as the top corporate fundraising team.

Name

Cancer Assistance Program

Legal name

Cancer Assistance Program

Website

https://cancerassist.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cancer Assistance Program is a community-based not-for-profit founded in 1994 in Hamilton, Ontario, providing free practical support services—including equipment loans, personal care items, transportation, and parking—to cancer patients and families in the greater Hamilton region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Cancer Patient Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Patient equipment loans
• Medical transportation assistance
• Community cancer care
• Charitable patient programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton, Ontario

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals via online portal, in-person, by phone, or by mail. Tax receipts issued for gifts of $20 or greater.
2. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through wills, gifts of life insurance, and gifts of securities. Associated with Will Power national movement.
3. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donations accepted through Donate a Car Canada partnership. Vehicles are recycled or sold at auction with free towing provided.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of CAP merchandise including Donn Zver pottery ornaments, cookbooks, and Glam Julz jewelry. Proceeds support CAP programs.
5. Gift Bag Sales: Sale of CAP CARE Gift Bags at $75 each, valued over $200. Contains comfort items, personal care products, and snacks donated by community members.
6. Fundraising Events: Revenue from events including CARE Walk & Roll, Spring Fling, Gala, Golf Classic, and 50/50 lotteries. The CARE Walk exceeded its $105,000 goal.
7. Equipment Donations: Accepts donated equipment items for redistribution to clients in need, supporting the equipment loan program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cancer Assistance Program is a community-based not-for-profit that provides free practical support services to individuals and families affected by cancer in the greater Hamilton region. Core offerings include home health equipment loans (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc.), personal care items (wigs, breast prostheses, mastectomy bras), free transportation to and from medical appointments, parking assistance near Juravinski Cancer Centre, community resource referrals, and complementary programs such as the Cancer Assist Podcast, CAP CARE Gift Bags, and fundraising merchandise.

Product overview

Cancer Assistance Program (CAP) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization offering free practical support services for individuals and families affected by cancer in the greater Hamilton region. The organization provides a portfolio of core services including home health equipment loans, personal care products (wigs, breast prostheses, mastectomy bras), free transportation to medical appointments, and parking assistance. CAP also offers complementary programs including the Cancer Assist Podcast for education, the CAP CARE Gift Bag for patient comfort, and CAP Merchandise (pottery ornaments, cookbooks, jewelry) as fundraising items. The organization conducts multiple annual fundraising events including the CARE Walk & Roll, Spring Fling, Gala, Golf Classic, and 50/50 lotteries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home Health Equipment Loan Program

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• First OntariocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor of the CARE Walk & Roll event. First Ontario Credit Union supports CAP's signature fundraising event.
• LiUNA Local 837majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Labour union Local 837 sponsoring CAP events including CARE Walk & Roll and Spring Fling.
• MULTI AREAmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor of the Spring Fling event and silent auction sponsor for CARE Walk & Roll.
• Hamilton Firefighters AssociationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026"Why I Care" bib sponsor for the CARE Walk & Roll event.
• CHKX-FMminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Exclusive media partner for the Spring Fling event.
• Toronto Custom ConceptsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Friend sponsor for CARE Walk & Roll and Spring Fling events.
• Meridian Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Friend sponsor for CARE Walk & Roll event.
• St. John Henry's Catholic Elementary SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Route marker sponsor for the CARE Walk & Roll event.
• AIM RecyclingmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Top corporate fundraising team for CARE Walk & Roll 2026, raising $18,000.
• Donate a Car CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonate a Car Canada accepts vehicle donations on behalf of CAP. The organization provides free towing across most of Canada. Vehicles are either recycled or sold at auction, with CAP receiving the proceeds. This partnership enables car owners to easily donate vehicles as a form of charitable giving.
• Will PowercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWill Power is a national movement educating Canadians about leaving legacy gifts in wills. CAP participates in this program as a member charity, encouraging supporters to include CAP in their estate planning.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Cancer Society: The Canadian Cancer Society is the largest national cancer charity in Canada, offering research funding, support services, and advocacy. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving similar beneficiary populations, though at national scale and with a much wider mandate than CAP's community focus.
• LIVESTRONG: LIVESTRONG is a US cancer nonprofit providing practical support services and resources to cancer patients and survivors. Comparable in delivering free practical support to cancer-affected individuals, but operates at much broader scale and brand recognition than CAP.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Macmillan is a major UK cancer charity providing practical, financial, and emotional support to cancer patients. Comparable mission and free-service model, though operating at national scale with substantially broader programs than CAP.
• CancerCare: CancerCare is a US national nonprofit providing free professional support services including counselling, financial assistance, and resource navigation to people affected by cancer. Comparable to CAP in offering free practical and financial assistance, but at much larger national scale.

Direct peers

• Look Good Feel Better: Look Good Feel Better is a Canadian charity that supports people with cancer through workshops and personal-care resources (wigs, skincare). Overlaps directly with CAP's personal-care product offerings (wigs, breast prostheses, mastectomy bras) and Canadian charity funding model.
• HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre: HopeSpring is a community-based charity serving the Waterloo Region with free cancer support services including transportation, peer support, and wellness programs. Highly comparable to CAP in operational scope, regional focus, and free-service model.
• Pink Pearl Foundation: Pink Pearl Foundation is a Canadian charity providing free support programs to young women affected by cancer. Comparable as a community cancer-support charity in Canada with a free-service, donation-funded model similar to CAP.
• Wellspring Cancer Support: Wellspring operates community-based cancer support centres across Ontario and Alberta offering free programs (counselling, peer support, wellness) to cancer patients and families. It is the closest direct comparable to CAP in mission, geographic focus (Ontario), and free service-delivery model.
• Young Adult Cancer Canada: YACC provides community-based support programs for young adults affected by cancer across Canada. Comparable in delivering free, community-led services to cancer patients and families, though focused on the young-adult demographic versus CAP's broader cancer-patient population.
• Gilda's Club / Cancer Support Community: Gilda's Club affiliates (now part of Cancer Support Community) provide free emotional and social support to cancer patients and families through community clubhouses. Comparable to CAP in offering free, community-led cancer support to individuals and families affected by cancer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Cancer_Assist
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCI9SZFwZaF81qMAXz_6eFCw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CancerAssistanceProgram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancer-assistance-program
• Instagraminstagram.com/cancer_assist

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Cancer Assistance Program