Friend for Life Cancer Support Network

What Friend for Life Cancer Support Network does

Friend for Life Cancer Support Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The organization provides free, one-to-one peer support to individuals facing a cancer diagnosis and to their caregivers, matching them with trained survivor volunteers who have personal experience with a similar cancer type or treatment journey. The service is delivered to anyone in need regardless of geographic location, with matches facilitated by a small staff coordinating a network of more than 400 active survivor volunteers.

The core operational backbone is the volunteer matching process, supported by a database of volunteer profiles, cancer-type and demographic attributes, and historical matches accumulated over 37 years of continuous operation. The organization operates from office space donated by Baptist Health Louisville, which materially lowers fixed costs and embeds the program within a regional oncology provider's referral ecosystem. It also partners with the University of Louisville School of Medicine on the Clinical Conversations Program, which has run since 2007 and integrates peer-support content into medical training.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, grants, and fundraising events, including the annual Rally for Life community fundraiser; services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries. The organization holds BBB Accredited Charity status. In 2025, Sheri Donahue assumed the Executive Director role, succeeding Judy Kasey-Houlette who served in the position for more than 25 years; the incoming executive has publicly identified expanding organizational reach as a strategic priority.

Name

Friend for Life Cancer Support Network

Legal name

Friend for Life ... A Cancer Support Network, Inc.

Website

https://friend4life.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friend for Life Cancer Support Network is a Louisville, KY-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 that provides free, one-to-one peer support matching for cancer patients and caregivers through a national network of 400+ trained survivor volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Peer Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Hospice-Affiliated/Independent) (HLADAHAL), Companion Care & Social Support (non-clinical) (HLADAGAB), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO)

Keywords

• Cancer peer support
• Survivor mentorship programs
• Psychosocial cancer care
• Patient navigation services
• Nonprofit health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters, tax-deductible as a 501(c)(3) organization. Checks payable to Friend for Life Cancer Support Network.
2. Grants: Funding from grants as part of diversified funding strategy.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraiser 'An Evening with Friends' featuring buffet dinner, silent auction, live music, awards, and keynote speaker. Includes VIP hour experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Friend for Life provides a free one-to-one peer support matching service that pairs cancer patients and their caregivers with trained survivor volunteers who have experienced similar diagnoses, treatments, ages, and gender profiles. The organization supplements matching with online Peer Navigator volunteer training, a Clinical Conversations educational program for medical and nursing students, and a curated cancer resource directory, all delivered free of charge through its Louisville, KY headquarters and a nationwide volunteer network.

Product overview

Friend for Life Cancer Support Network is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering a one-to-one peer support program that matches cancer patients and their loved ones with trained survivor volunteers. The core product is the Peer Support Matching Service, which pairs individuals based on cancer type, treatment, and personal factors. Supporting offerings include the Peer Navigator Volunteer Training (online modules and manual), Clinical Conversations educational program for medical students, an annual fundraising event (An Evening with Friends), informational materials distribution, and a curated cancer resource directory. All services are provided free of charge to those seeking support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-to-One Peer Support Program Free cancer survivor and caregiver volunteer matching service that pairs patients and their loved ones with trained volunteers who have experienced similar diagnoses and treatments for emotional and psychosocial support.
• Peer Navigator Volunteer Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 active volunteers as of December 2024
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Louisville School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Clinical Conversations program where Friend for Life volunteers converse with first-year medical students to improve understanding of patient and caregiver perspectives by future healthcare practitioners. Program began in 2007.
• Galen College of NursingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical Conversations educational partnership for nursing students.
• University of Louisville School of NursingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical Conversations educational partnership for nursing students.
• Kent School of Social WorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical Conversations educational partnership for social work students.
• University of Kentucky School of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical Conversations educational partnership for medical students.
• Pikeville College of Osteopathic MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical Conversations educational partnership for osteopathic medical students.
• Baptist Health LouisvillecoreOthersBaptist Health Louisville generously donates office space to Friend for Life Cancer Support Network. Though not affiliated with any hospitals, their physical office is in space donated by Baptist Health Louisville.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• CancerCare: CancerCare is a national nonprofit providing free, professional support services including counseling, support groups, education, and financial assistance for anyone affected by cancer. Comparable as a broader cancer psychosocial support provider, though it offers more clinical and case-management services than Friend for Life.
• American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society is the largest U.S. nonprofit addressing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and patient support, including a 24/7 helpline and patient lodging. Comparable in mission scope and nonprofit funding model, though it operates as a much larger, national incumbent.
• Cancer Support Community: Cancer Support Community operates a global network of 190+ locations providing social and emotional support, education, and hope for cancer patients and families. Comparable as a peer-support nonprofit, though it relies on group-based and facility-based programs rather than one-to-one survivor matching.
• Livestrong Foundation: Livestrong provides navigation, emotional support, and practical resources for people affected by cancer. Comparable as a cancer-focused support nonprofit, though its service portfolio and brand reach are substantially broader than Friend for Life's.

Emerging players

• Stupid Cancer: Stupid Cancer is a nonprofit providing peer support, community programs, and education specifically for young adults affected by cancer. Comparable in its peer-support orientation but differentiated by a narrow demographic focus.
• Wellist: Wellist is a digital health company that connects cancer patients and caregivers to non-clinical support services, including peer support and resource navigation. Comparable in offering emotional and psychosocial support, but delivered through a technology-enabled marketplace model rather than a volunteer-driven network.

Direct peers

• Cancer Hope Network: Cancer Hope Network matches cancer patients and caregivers with trained survivor volunteers for one-to-one emotional support. The mission, structure, and volunteer-driven matching model are directly comparable to Friend for Life.
• Imerman Angels: Imerman Angels provides one-to-one peer support for cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors — matching individuals based on cancer type, treatment, age, and other personal factors. It is the closest direct competitor to Friend for Life's core matching service model.
• 4th Angel Mentoring Program (Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute): 4th Angel provides free, one-to-one telephone-based mentoring for cancer patients by trained survivor mentors, embedded within Cleveland Clinic. Comparable in service model to Friend for Life, with the additional distinction of being housed inside a major academic cancer center.

Regional players

• Lotsa Helping Hands: Lotsa Helping Hands provides an online platform that organizes caregiver communities, meal calendars, and support coordination for people facing illness. Comparable in supporting caregivers through community-driven coordination, though national in scope and technology-led rather than volunteer-matched one-to-one.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friend-for-life-cancer-support-network

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 Friend for Life Cancer Support Network