Background Statement
The Cancer Support Community (CSC) was created in 2009 through the successful merger of The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club. Harnessing their 50+ years of collective experience, CSC provides the highest quality social and emotional (psychosocial) support for people with cancer, their families and caregivers through its global network of over 40 licensed affiliates, 170 satellite locations, hospital partners, extensive online services, and a National Telephone Helpline.
In 2008, CSC founded the Research and Training Institute (RTI) to effectively identify and serve the distinct psychosocial needs of patients, survivors and caregivers throughout each phase of the cancer journey. The RTI and other researchers have since validated the direct correlation between psychosocial support services and better health outcomes.
In 2013, CSC launched the Cancer Policy Institute which educates policymakers about the health and financial benefits of social and emotional care. In 2016, CSC successfully partnered with Vice President Joe Biden's Cancer Moonshot Initiative, raising its profile as the only cancer patient advocacy organization to be invited to speak at the 2016 Cancer Moonshot Summit. CSC continues to collaborate with the Biden Cancer Initiative, as well as with many other policymakers, to ensure comprehensive care for all people impacted by cancer.
Each of CSC's three arms: direct service delivery, research, and policy inform each other with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all people with cancer have access to quality cancer care, including social and emotional support as an integral part of comprehensive cancer care in America.
In January 2018, CSC welcomed Denver-based nonprofit MyLifeLine, a digital service enabling nearly 40,000 patients, caregivers, and their supporters, that to easily connect with friends and family and receive social, emotional, and practical support throughout your cancer journey.
Today, CSC touches more than one million people every year on the cancer journey. These recent successes, coupled with CSC's long history of effective work, have emphasized the need to elevate the patient voice and ensure that patients are educated and empowered partners in their healthcare.
CSC continues to remain true to its vision that no one face cancer alone.