Cancer is an ongoing battle faced by millions, and today, we honor the nonprofit organizations committed to ending it.
In 2022, an estimated 1.9 million individuals received a new cancer diagnosis, and over 609,000 died from complications of cancer in the United States. People worldwide want to do their part to support patients, caregivers, survivors, and cancer research. That’s why organizations like the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Research Institute exist.
Below, you’ll find a list of the nine top cancer charities with innovative fundraising approaches to inspire you.
How Do Cancer Charity Organizations Make an Impact?
Supporting Cancer Research
Cancer charities raise money to fund critical research, oncology studies, laboratory equipment, and scientists. The more this research is supported with adequate supplies, the more likely it is to result in clinical trials and, eventually, new effective treatments.
Supporting Cancer Patients
A more impactful way to support those affected by cancer is to help patients directly. Many cancer charities find creative ways to make it easier for patients to access resources, monetary assistance, emotional support, and advice while they undergo treatment and journey to survivorship.
Supporting Cancer Caretakers and Families
For every cancer patient, there are loving family members and communities that support them during the traumatic time of diagnosis and treatment. Many cancer charities extend support to caretakers and loved ones.
Supporting Cancer Survivorship
Cancer survivors now need to learn how to navigate a life that’s forever changed. That’s why many cancer charities focus on the aftercare of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. These nonprofits offer resources such as financial aid, mental health support groups, and ways to recognize the battle they overcame.
9 Leading Cancer Charities
1. The Livestrong Foundation
The Mission: “We have a mission question, not a mission statement because we believe we can only achieve the best solutions by asking the right questions. We ask survivors and caregivers what they need, we ask the system how it can be more person-centered, and we ask innovators how we can bring impossible ideas to life.”
The Work: Livestrong provides free personalized services to cancer survivors, caregivers, and loved ones. It also develops community programs to address the day-to-day concerns of survivors and partners with institutions and policymakers to change how the world fights cancer.
The Impact: The Livestrong Foundation has supported the fight against cancer for 25 years. It currently holds recognition from Charity Navigator, GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency, and the CEO Cancer Gold Standard.
How to Connect: @livestrong
2. Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
The Mission: “Fund research to power cures that reduce the percentage of children who perish from cancer until that number reaches zero.”
The Work: The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation raises money and awareness for groundbreaking advances in the treatment of pediatric cancer. It works to champion and nurture researchers who work daily to identify a more insightful future. Some examples of its research’s results include curing advanced B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in children, chimeric antigen receptor or CAR-T cell infusions, immunotherapy advancements for osteosarcoma, and diagnostic testing for Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia.
The Impact: After 40 years, the organization awarded 225 scientific research grants, funded 42 leading institutions, and invested $57 million in pediatric cancer research.
How to Connect: @pcrf_kids
3. Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
The Mission: The Lustgarten Foundation funds the world’s preeminent pancreatic cancer researchers, leading the pursuit of bold and innovative science with a singular mission: transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.
The Work: The Lustgarten Foundation focuses on research across three pillars: early detection, new drug development, and personalized medicine. Its main concentration is on translating our understanding of the underlying biology of pancreatic cancer into clinical applications for patients.
The Impact: One of the largest private funders of pancreatic cancer research worldwide, the nonprofit organization has invested more than $250 million in research since its inception.
How to Connect: @lustgartenfdn
4. Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
The Mission: To cure ovarian cancer, advocate for patients, and support survivors.
The Work: Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) is the largest organization in the world fighting ovarian cancer from all fronts, including in the lab, on Capitol Hill, and through innovative support programs that help survivors and families. The organization funds research to find better prevention and treatments, advocates for the patient community, and supports survivors as they navigate diagnosis, treatment, and more.
The Impact: The organization has invested $110 million in ovarian cancer research, reached 115,000 future healthcare professionals with important ovarian cancer information, has been instrumental in securing $3.7 billion in federal research and education funding, and supports 15,000 patients each year through patient programs.
How to Connect: @ocrahope
5. Colorectal Cancer Alliance
The Mission: “To empower a nation of allies who work with us to provide support for patients and families, caregivers, and survivors; to raise awareness of preventive measures, and inspire efforts to fund critical research.”
The Work: Colorectal Cancer Alliance works to screen for colorectal cancer, empower patients with care, and support research to find a cure. It offers screening resources to help people find the best option for them and helpful information about securing aid for families and patients. Regarding research, it offers innovative treatment options, convenes experts to improve patient experiences and clinical outcomes, collects and analyzes outcomes, and invests in new ideas.
The Impact: The organization has raised over $1.6 million to support lifesaving programs in cancer prevention, research, and patient and family support services. It has also coordinated over 800 hours of volunteer work to change the course of cancer for so many.
How to Connect: @colorectalcanceralliance
6. Children’s Cancer Network
The Mission: “We support children and families throughout their cancer journey with programs and services designed to provide financial assistance, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, and create an awareness of issues they face related to childhood cancer.”
The Work: Children’s Cancer Network began in 2005 and has several programs to benefit children with cancer and their families. It offers admission bags, gas and food cards, adopt-a-family programs, and scholarships for survivors, siblings, and parents. It also hosts an Honoring Our Peer Everyday (H.O.P.E) program to help schools learn about and build compassion for those undergoing cancer treatment.
The Impact: The organization has provided more than $4.8 million in financial assistance and family-centered support to Arizona families battling childhood cancer. It serves over 800 families annually and empowers over 9,000 students through the H.O.P.E program.
How to Connect: @childrenscancernetwork1
7. Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education
The Mission: “Provide expert-mediated information on current and emerging cancer management options to empower patients, caregivers, and health professionals to become direct partners in cancer care.”
The Work: GRACE provides cancer information that is high-quality, easy to understand, and specific for families and patients, empowering them to become partners with their healthcare provider in their cancer care. They work to break the barrier between information for physicians and education for patients across a wide array of cancer topics. They distribute this information in a variety of formats such as articles, videos, podcasts, and live webinars.
The Impact: For each type of cancer, there is a library of educational content presented in a variety of formats that is regularly updated, along with archives of prior posts arranged by date and subject. All information is searchable, so patients and caregivers can find what they need quickly and educate themselves with the over 16 years of credible educational information available on the GRACE website.
How to Connect: [email protected]; 888-501-1025
8. Dr. Susan Love Foundation
The Mission: “Our mission is to perform and facilitate innovative and collaborative research while translating science to engage the public as informed partners.”
The Work: Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research focuses on the studies that lead to a promising future free of the disease. It looks to understand the body and how breast cancer forms within it to develop methods that prevent it.
The Impact: Rated the number one breast cancer research organization in the nation, Charity Navigator designated it a four-star charity. The Dr. Susan Love Foundation is also a Best in Classy winner for having a robust fundraising campaign portfolio to build awareness and raise funds for its critical mission.
How to Connect: @drsusanlovefoundation
9. Breastcancer.org
The Mission: “To help people make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast health and breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.”
The Work: Breastcancer.org brings trusted educational content, research news coverage, and multimedia resources to people impacted by breast cancer. It provides personalized recommendations based on diagnosis and treatment information, making it a community conversation that welcomes everyone.
The Impact: The organization has helped 193 million people around the world in 22 years, with its site surpassing 25 million visits in 2021. Over 230,000 registered users engage in the Breastcancer.org discussion boards across 160,000 topics.
How to Connect: @breastcancerorg
What Is the Best Way to Donate to a Charity for Cancer?
You’ll find cancer charities fundraising year round to fund life-changing work through a wide variety of campaigns. Now is a great time to find organizations that resonate with your personal story or an area of cancer support that feels most aligned with your passions.
Classy supports over 50 cancer charities to make it easier for passionate donors to connect to organizations doing incredible work. With Classy, cancer charities can build relationships that result in more funding that is in turnused to help save even more lives.
If you are interested in jumpstarting a nonprofit to further advance cancer research and clinical treatment, be sure to check out our blog to discover new and innovative cancer fundraising ideas to help you build awareness and inspire supporters near and far.