At A Cure In Sight, we know an ocular melanoma diagnosis can feel overwhelming. This page brings together the key resources patients and families need most—reliable education, treatment and clinical trial information, support programs, financial and travel assistance, and tools for navigating life after diagnosis. We’re here to help you make informed decisions and to remind you that you’re never facing this journey alone.
Opportunities to explore clinical trials and emerging therapies,
helping patients stay informed about new advancements in care.
Tools to reduce stress and financial burden,
from travel assistance to practical tips for managing appointments and long-term care.
ADULT
American Cancer Society– The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
Cancer Care News-A website full of helpful information, including transportation and housing assistance.
https://cancercarenews.com/free-financial-help-for-cancer-patients/transportation-housing/
Melanoma Research Foundation-medical research, advocating, and educating.
Eye Melnanoma-information and resources for ocular melanoma patients and their families.
Natera-Free DNA testing, women’s health, oncology, and organ health.
Cancer Hope Network provides support to cancer patients and their families, matching them with trained volunteers who have undergone and recovered from a similar experience.
https://cancerhopenetwork.org/
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides information, support, and guidance to people living with blood cancers.
https://bloodcancerunited.org/
National Association of Hospital Houses, Inc-Provides lodging and support services to patients, families, and their loved ones who are undergoing treatment.
YOUNG ADULT
Young Adult Cancer Canada- supports young adults living with, through and beyond cancer.
Livestrong Young Adult Alliance-Information and advocates for young adults with cancer, promotes research, and improves survival rates.
The Ullman Cancer Fund for Young Adults-cancer support, advocacy, and education for young adults with cancer. Offers financial assistance.
Young Cancer Spouses-Shares information, support, and experiences with young spouses through forums.
Vital Options International-Information and resources for young adults ages 17-40.
Yasu-Young Adult Survivors United and caregivers who need age-appropriate support. It includes emotional, social, and financial help.
KIDS & YOUNG ADULT CAMPS
Epic Experience-programs for adult cancer thrivers. Adventure camps, meetups, and education.
https://www.epicexperience.org/
Art with a Heart– the team provides a personalized fine arts experience that enhances the healing process for patients and their families.
Eagle Mount– Outdoor adventure camps like skiing, rafting and more in Montana.
Camp Boggy Creek– Year-round camp that serves children with serious illnesses throughout Florida.
Camp Happy Times- A one-week overnight camp experience for children aged 5-21 who have cancer or has had cancer.
https://thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/camp-happy-times/
Camp-Mak-A-Dream– empowers survivors and their families to live with and beyond cancer through life-changing free camp Montana experiences.
Camp Safe Haven– A camp created by Haven Hospice that helps children, teens, and families to help cope with the loss of a loved one.
Camp Sunshine– A year-round program that provides support and joy to children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families. In Casco, Maine.
Christina Phipps Foundation– Offers free yoga classes for cancer patients and survivors in Jacksonville.
https://www.christinaphippsfoundation.com/
Deliver the Dream– A foundation that provides retreats for families with a child that has a serious illness or who recently lost a child.
Dreams Come True– helps make dreams come true for children and their family in the Florida area.
For Pete’s Sake– free one week excursion for the survivor (24-50) and their main caregiver.
https://takeabreakfromcancer.org/
First Descents– free one week adventure for young adults with cancer (18+).
Friends of Jacqueline Foundation– aims to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers by pairing them with high school and college sports teams.
Next Step– Workshops and retreats for teens and young adults with cancer and blood disease.
Nighthawk Ranch– A ranch style summer camp for children with cancer ages 10-18.
https://www.nighthawkranchcolorado.org/
On the Tips of the Toes Foundation– Adventure camps in Canada.
Shining Stars Foundation– year-round recreational and social programs for children with pediatric cancer or another life-threatening illness.
https://www.shiningstarsfoundation.org/
Sky High Hope Camp– A summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings 8-18.
Special Love, Inc.– Offers year-round camps in Virginia and Maryland for ages up to 25.
Wapiyapi– A summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings ages 6-17.
Wigs for Kids– provides hair replacement solutions for children affected by hair loss subsequent to medical conditions or treatment procedures.
READING RESOURCES
Henry and the White Wolf, by Tyler and Tim Karu. A book to help children going through the process of hospitalization and chemotherapy.
The Jester Has Lost His Jingle by David Salzman- a story about finding laughter and happiness inside oneself to help get through challenging times such as a cancer diagnosis.
What is Cancer Anyway? Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages by Karen L. Carney provides basic information about cancer in a reassuring way.
100 Questions & Answers about your Child’s Cancer by William L. Carroll
Baby Dust by Deanna Roy- Stories of real survivors, of mothers who endure the loss of a baby.
Childhood Cancer Survivors: A practical Guide to Your Future by Nancy Keene. Available from www.LLS.org
Healing a Parent’s Grieving Heart by Alan D. Wolfer
https://www.centerforloss.com/bookstore/healing-a-parents-grieving-heart/
Our Children, Our Hearts by Emily Laitmon
Open to Hope
https://www.opentohope.com/books/
Try Softer by Aundi Kobler
Strong Like Water, by Aundi Kobler
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Peter Scazzaro
FACEBOOK GROUPS/PAGES
A Cure In Sight- Ocular Melanoma
Ocular Melanoma & Eye Cancer Patients Forum * The Eye Cancer Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ECNPatients/
Ocular Melanoma Mets Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OcularMelanomaMets/
CURE Ocular Melanoma
https://www.facebook.com/cureom/
Ocular Melanoma Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/OcularMelanoma/
Metastatic Ocular Melanoma
https://www.facebook.com/groups/388067454681743/
Ocular (Uveal) Melanoma Support
https://www.facebook.com/groups/219970988124534/
Conjunctival Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Eye Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1554104028202818/
Ocular Melanoma Friends and Family
https://www.facebook.com/groups/omffriends/
Ocular Melanoma Support for Spouses, Significant Others and Caregivers
TRAVEL & LODGING
Air Charity Network- network member organizations that cover specific geographical service areas and coordinate volunteer pilot flights in the continental United States, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.
https://aircharitynetwork.org/
Hope Lodge helps with resources for pediatric cancer, with free housing for cancer patients undergoing treatment.
https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge.html
Angel Flight East- To provide free air transportation to qualified patients and their families by arranging flights to distant medical facilities, delivering supplies to disaster areas, and reuniting families during desperate times.
Century Ambulance Service, Inc.-To improve the lives of our patients by providing quality and timely emergent and non-emergent medical transportation services with empathy and care.
https://www.centuryambulance.com/
Corporate Angel Network– Helps cancer patients by arranging travel for surgery, clinical trial, or a second opinion.
https://www.corpangelnetwork.org/
Gabriel House of Care-Provides affordable long-term lodging for cancer patients and caregivers from outside of Jacksonville to receive cancer treatments at area hospitals and clinics.
https://gabrielhouseofcare.org/
Joe’s House– a lodging guide for cancer patients.
Lifeline Pilots– coordinates free flights for patients with non-emergency healthcare.
Hope Lodge helps with resources for pediatric cancer, with free housing for cancer patients undergoing treatment.
https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge.html
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation- offers financial assistance to families who are going through a cancer diagnosis.
Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund– a financial assistance program for NJ families whose children have an illness or condition otherwise uncovered by insurance, State or Federal programs, or other source, such as fundraising.
https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/cicrf/
The Jonathan Cancer Fund– provides financial assistance for families of children through 18 years of age suffering from cancer who are being treated in Onondaga County.
https://www.jonathancancerfund.org/
The National Children’s Cancer Society- Provides financial assistance and support to families of children with cancer.
Go 4 The Goal helps to improve the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, research, and granting personal wishes. Based in the New Jersey area.
Mattie’s Mission offers financial, spiritual, and emotional assistance to families.
https://www.mattiesmission.org/
Still Strong Foundation– supports families with children being treated at certain hospitals with financial assistance.
https://stillstrongfoundation.org/
Yasu-Young Adult Survivors United and caregivers who need age-appropriate support. It includes emotional, social, and financial help.
Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund– provides financial, educational, and emotional support along with social work and psychological services.
Child Cancer Fund-Promotes emotional, practical, educational, and financial support to families of children with cancer.
Broken Not Broke- helps you find the financial support needed.
Friends of Karen– Provides help to New York metro children with illnesses through advocacy, emotional, and financial assistance.
CHILDREN
American Childhood Cancer Organization- The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a national nonprofit dedicated to securing federal, state, corporate, and private funding for childhood cancer research, while also serving as the largest provider of free educational support materials for children with cancer and their families in the U.S.
https://www.acco.org/c-change/
The Valerie Fund for children with cancer and blood disorders.
Momcology supports community moms and primary caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer.
Children’s Cancer Cause- Our mission is to champion policies and programs that improve the lives of children with cancer and survivors.
https://www.childrenscancercause.org/
Child Cancer Fund- Offers a variety of support through their core programs, including a Child Life Specialist position at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, a Financial Assistance Program, and more. Support is focused on children in the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia area.
Childhood Cancer Society- Providing support with pediatric cancer, granting wishes, and the Adventure Ted program to inspire hope.
https://www.childhoodcancersociety.org/
The National Children’s Cancer Society- Provides financial assistance and support to families of children with cancer.
Children’s Cancer– an advocacy group that educates, promotes policies, and programs.
https://www.childrenscause.org/
The Jonathan Cancer Fund– provides financial assistance for families of children through 18 years of age suffering from cancer who are being treated in Onondaga County.
https://www.jonathancancerfund.org/
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation– provides grants for families that have medical needs not fully covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
Make-A-Wish Foundation gives hope by granting life-changing wishes.
Forever Jaiden Foundation– supports the whole family affected by cancer.
Super Sibs provides support for siblings of those with cancer, adolescents, and younger children.
https://www.alexslemonade.org/childhood-cancer/for-families/supersibs
Cure Search for Children’s Cancer supports research and raises awareness about cancer clinical trials and treatments.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels-Mission to find a cure for childhood cancer.
https://hyundaihopeonwheels.org/
CURE Childhood Cancer focuses entirely on childhood cancer efforts and funds the work of some of the best and brightest scientists in the field of pediatric cancer.
https://curechildhoodcancer.org/
The Gold Hope Project pairs families that have a child with cancer with a photographer to provide a photography session for free.
Group Loop– provides online support, information, and resources for teens with cancer and their parents.
Wrightslaw-Information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Mattie’s Mission offers financial, spiritual, and emotional assistance to families.
https://www.mattiesmission.org/
Chai Lifeline– a support network, providing social, emotional, and practical assistance impacted by medical crises through a variety of programs and services.
Ronald McDonald House Charities offers three core programs.
https://ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org/
Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation– creates media-based programs that help seriously ill children and teens cope better with their illness to enhance their quality of life.
Still Strong Foundation– supports families with children being treated at certain hospitals with financial assistance.
https://stillstrongfoundation.org/
The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation provides financial, emotional, and practical support from aged 0-22 who are undergoing treatment in specific states.
Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund– provides financial, educational, and emotional support along with social work and psychological services.
Child Cancer Fund-Promotes emotional, practical, educational, and financial support to families of children with cancer.
Childhood Leukemia Foundation-Free support services to kids with childhood leukemia. Services vary.
Childhood Cancer Society-Provides to patients with childhood cancer through support and gifts.
https://www.childhoodcancersociety.org/
Broken Not Broke- helps you find the financial support needed.
The American Childhood Cancer Organization provides information and support for children and adolescents and their families.
Friends of Karen– Provides help to New York metro children with illnesses through advocacy, emotional, and financial assistance.
https://www.friendsofkaren.org/
Give Hope Foundation– Support to children and families of Central Florida.
https://givehopefoundation.org/
Hope Lodge helps with resources for pediatric cancer, with free housing for cancer patients undergoing treatment.
https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge.html
Gilda’s Club South Jersey-For men, women, and children with cancer, along with their families and friends, can join with others to build support.
The National Children’s Cancer Society provides financial and in-kind assistance, advocacy, and support services.
Go 4 The Goal helps to improve the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, research, and granting personal wishes. Based in the New Jersey area.
In the Pink– provides free services, such as wigs, lymphedema sleeves and more to those who qualify.
Imagine-children’s grief support center serving NJ children 3-18 and young adults 18-30 who are grieving the death of a parent
MISCELLANEOUS
Air Charity Network- network member organizations that cover specific geographical service areas and coordinate volunteer pilot flights in the continental United States, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.
https://aircharitynetwork.org/
A Cure In Sight- Ocular Melanoma
American Cancer Society– The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
Wellness House-Located in Hinsdale, Illinois and provides support and programs for anyone affected by cancer.
Angel Flight East- To provide free air transportation to qualified patients and their families by arranging flights to distant medical facilities, delivering supplies to disaster areas, and reuniting families during desperate times.
Century Ambulance Service, Inc.-To improve the lives of our patients by providing quality and timely emergent and non-emergent medical transportation services with empathy and care.
https://www.centuryambulance.com/
Cleaning for A Reason– Provides free home cleaning for cancer patients.
https://cleaningforareason.org/
Corporate Angel Network– Helps cancer patients by arranging travel for surgery, clinical trial, or a second opinion.
https://www.corpangelnetwork.org/
Emmanuel Cancer Foundation– An Organization that offers New Jersey families help with advocacy, counseling, material support, and emergency financial assistance.
https://www.emmanuelcancer.org/what-we-do
National Hospice and Palliative Care-Advocates for care at the end of life and resources.
https://allianceforcareathome.org/
Gabriel House of Care-Provides affordable long-term lodging for cancer patients and caregivers from outside of Jacksonville to receive cancer treatments at area hospitals and clinics.
https://gabrielhouseofcare.org/
The Jimmy Fund gives and fundraises to provide cancer research.
Grief Haven– provides guidance and grief support to all who are grieving.
Family Reach– provides financial support.
Fisher House– for military & veteran families can stay free of charge when a loved one is in the hospital.
https://fisherhouse.org/about/
Look Good Feel Better– a program to help you address the outward effects of treatment, so you can see yourself again.
https://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/
Health Well Foundation– assists with co-pays, deductibles, premiums, out-of-pocket expenses for essential treatments and medications.
https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
RxAssist– a database of patient assistance programs for people who cannot afford their medication.
Co-Pay Relief Program– financial assistance to help pay for co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance.
https://copays.org/patients-family/
Joe’s House– a lodging guide for cancer patients.
Lifeline Pilots– coordinates free flights for patients with non-emergency healthcare.
The Max Foundation- The patient navigation program for patients’ caregivers and families.
Escape To Thrive Conference-Professional and Personal Development for Cancer Advocates
Patient Empowerment Network-Early detection and testing, disease and treatment learning, shared decision making, survivorship support, and special audiences.
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship– advocate for quality cancer care for all people touched by cancer.
American Cancer Society- Helps health care teams educate and empower their patients and caregivers.
Aim at Melanoma Foundation– Education and support, and research.
https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/melanoma-101/
Cancer Care helps with patient programs, connects with survivors, and cancer helpline.
Melanoma Research Alliance– a nonprofit funder of melanoma research and resources for patients.
Cancer Support Community helps with support, community, and breaking down barriers to care.
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/
Cancer 101-On a mission to simplify healthcare through personalized education, navigation, and support.
Cancer Hope Network-One on One Peer Mentorship and pediatric caregiver support.
https://cancerhopenetwork.org/
Cactus Cancer Society serves young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers ages 18-45.
Osteosarcoma Institute to use the resources to support osteosarcoma patients and their families.
https://osinst.org/osi-connect/
The Patient Story: Insights on navigating life after a cancer diagnosis, treatments, and connection.
The Pan Foundation– financial assistance, advocacy, access to care, and education.
https://www.panfoundation.org/about-us/
Novartis patient assistance and clinical trials.
https://www.novartis.com/us-en/patients-and-caregivers/patient-assistance
Menarini Silicon Biosystems-CELLSEARCH Circulating Multiple Myeloma Cell (CMMC) Test.
https://www.menarinisiliconbiosystems.com/us.html
CaringBridge place for family caregivers that offers them support while caring for a loved one.
NeedyMeds– connects people to programs to help them afford their medications and other healthcare costs.
https://www.needymeds.org/about
Melanoma Canada- free services to support patients and families.
https://melanomacanada.ca/understanding-skin-cancer/rare-melanomas/uvealsupport/