Cancer Support in Texas

Emotional Support for Cancer Patients

Request Survivor or Caregiver Match

You are Not Meant to Face Cancer Alone

Connect with CanCare in Texas to have a survivor by your side

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a significant moment that changes the trajectory of your life. It can be a scary conversation to navigate and process - often leaving you feeling terrified and isolated. For over 30 years, CanCare has committed to making this diagnosis less scary for the cancer patient. Throughout Texas, CanCare matches cancer survivors with current cancer patients to provide empathy and guidance through this difficult journey.

CanCare matches current cancer fighters with cancer survivors who want to get emotional support to aid them as they navigate intense treatment. CanCare also provides cancer caregiver support by matching caretakers with those who have walked the path of caring for someone through the cancer diagnosis.

No matter if you're in Austin, Houston, Dallas or any other city or area in Texas, CanCare is committed to connecting you with a true voice of hope.

Join a Virtual Support Group

Cancer Caregiver Online Support Group

2nd Thursday of each month | 12PM Central

At our support group for cancer caregivers, you will hear from one of our CanCare volunteer caregivers and have an opportunity to share your journey with other caregivers – through listening and/or sharing.

Stage 4 Cancer Online Support Group

3rd Friday of each month | 12PM Central

Join us to hear from one of our CanCare volunteer survivors of stage IV cancer and have an opportunity to share the journey with others living with a similar diagnosis.

Cancer Survivors Online Support Group

2nd Tuesday of each month | 4PM Central

A support group for anyone living with a cancer diagnosis at any stage.

Email us at groups@cancare.org to join these zoom gatherings.

Types of Cancer Support in Texas

CanCare has volunteers who, combined, have experienced over 50 different types of cancer.
Brain Cancer
Liver Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Bone Cancer
Lung Cancer
Skin Cancer
Testicular Cancer

FAQS About Cancer Support in Texas

For whom does CanCare offer support?

CanCare support is available to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, as well as those who care for someone who loves someone affected by cancer. No matter if you need cancer support in Texas or if you're located anywhere else in the country, CanCare is here to help you!

Is there a cost for CanCare’s services?

All of CanCare’s support services are free to cancer patients and caregivers thanks to the generous support of our donors.

Who will I be paired with?

CanCare will match you with a cancer survivor or caregiver with similar cancer and treatment history. If there are other specifics you are seeking in your support volunteer, please note that on your request form and we will do our best to find the best match.

How long does it take to be matched?

Matches are generally made within 2-3 business days after receipt of the request. A CanCare team member will reach out to you if for any reason there is a delay in making a match.

How do I request a match?

To request a match, complete our match request form. The more information you provide on the request form, the better match our CanCare team members will be able to make. If you have any difficulty completing the form or would like to speak to a CanCare team member, you can call us at 888-461-0028.

What information do you need to make a match?

For survivors, we match based on type and stage of cancer, treatment, and age.  For caregivers, we match based on the relationship to the care receiver (e.g., caregiver to spouse or caregiver to parent) and cancer type.  Providing us with this information enables us to find the closest match available.

Can my loved one be matched with a support volunteer?

Yes. We offer emotional support to both cancer patients and their loved ones.  Please have your loved one complete the request for support or call us at 888-461-0028.

Can I speak with my support volunteer in person?

Most of our support volunteers provide support over the phone or online.  If you and your support volunteer want to meet in person, you can talk about it together.

Can I have more than one volunteer?

Yes. This can be particularly helpful when you are trying to make decisions about treatment, e.g., a mastectomy vs lumpectomy + radiation.  In this situation, a person may request a volunteer who chose a mastectomy and a second volunteer who chose a lumpectomy with radiation. If you wish to request more than one volunteer, please call us at 888-461-0028 and press 2.

Are there any other ways to receive support?

Yes, we offer virtual support groups for Caregivers and Stage IV cancer patients. If you are interested in participating in a virtual support group, email us at groups@cancare.org. You can also submit a prayer request by visiting our Prayer Request page or emailing us at prayer@cancare.org.

What is the difference between CanCare’s service and therapy?

CanCare stands apart from traditional psychotherapy or counseling by offering a sense of community. We have a passion for providing one-on-one emotional support with a carefully-matched volunteer caregiver or cancer survivor. These survivors are not licensed therapists, but regular people who have walked the cancer journey. We know how important it is to have someone in your corner that has been where you are.

Is this a confidential service?

Yes. Your information will only be shared with your support volunteer.

Who can I speak to if I have questions?

You may call the CanCare office at 888-461-0028 or email us at support@cancare.org. We know the toll the treatment process can take on a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. From phone calls and one-on-one visits to support groups, we are here for you. We’re so committed to assisting you every step of the way, CanCare offers emotional support even up to a year after your treatment is completed.

See What Our Clients Are Saying

Jessica G.

Client
volunteer
"Nargis has been a pleasure to talk to. She is so sweet and kind and I really enjoy hearing about her experience compared to mine."

Geanine M.

Client
volunteer
"My Cancare volunteer became my friend I love and appreciate Kim!"

Cheryle L.

Client
volunteer
"I deeply appreciate your help and talking with Wanda has really been helping me through this diagnosis and in sorting through my thoughts and feelings. She is kind, listens, is very comforting, and a wonderful person."

Janice B.

Client
volunteer
"I am so grateful and thankful CanCare matched me with Claudette who had kidney cancer in 2001 and has been cancer free all these years. She gave me so much hope and assuaged all my fears about the surgery and outcome. We talked over an hour the first time and we have stayed in touch since my surgery Sept 20. Claudette and I continue in stay in touch and we hope to meet for lunch when I am feeling better. I have already referred a friend to CanCare. She is about to have a double masectomy. Thank You for your program. I am the first in my family to have cancer so had so many questions I forgot to ask the day I received the results of my CT scan."

Paul P.

Client
volunteer
"I am forever grateful for Anthony, Tom, and Greg. All have in their own special ways helped me deal with a very difficult situation. Anthony is my rock. Someone who stays in contact and always provides support and encouragement. Tom reaches out and listens to me, and talking helps tremendously. Amazingly, Greg and I share doctors and have the same cancer. Being able to talk with someone who is on a very similar journey brings me comfort and peace."

Cindy M.

Client
volunteer
"My volunteer met with me for several hours over coffee to talk about her fight and answered so many questions I had about my daughter's diagnosis."

E.A.

Client
volunteer
"I thank you very much for offering this service. It help me when I was overwhelmed with my husband's cancer."

Vicki R.

Client
volunteer
"Brenda in Texas is kind and understanding. She gave freedom to contact her anytime. She always gets right back in touch with me. Thank you for having this service available to us cancer patients who live with the unknown. Brenda has wonderful faith that rubs off onto me. Thank you again."

Mariann M.

Client
volunteer
"I am just starting my journey with cancer. My volunteer has been great. Thanks for connecting us!"

Dan S.

Client
volunteer
"Wonderful organization and excellent and compassionate service for both staff and volunteers."

Dennis S.

Client
volunteer
"My volunteer has been a great help to my wife (tongue cancer)."

Dallas T.

Client
volunteer
"She’s been a huge blessing to my life, amongst this worldwide crisis. I can’t wait to meet her in person when this is all over (or passes us.)"

Lisa M.

Client
volunteer
"Trish was the best I couldn’t have gone through this without her!"

Melissa D.

Client
volunteer
"This is a must! So needed so valuable."

Ron & Ina

Client
volunteer
"One morning while in Houston Methodist Hospital for transplant, a CanCare volunteer knocked on the door. He sat and shared with Ron and Ina about his time not just in the same hospital, but in the very same room as Ron! That day they found a new best friend in this CanCare volunteer. Ron and Ina both took a deep breath, seeing a survivor walking and sharing his story and listening to theirs. It was uplifting for both and gave them a sense of hope."

Ginger

Client
volunteer
"CanCare provides me with a resource that I need. There are not enough adjectives to describe the professional dedication of this organization’s staff and volunteers. I am blessed to be a part of this."

Maria

Client
volunteer
"As a client of CanCare and as a caregiver, I felt witnessed and heard. My CanCare mentor-volunteer was actually an ovarian cancer survivor. Usually, CanCare ensures cancer patients are matched up with survivors and caregivers are matched with caregivers. I am grateful to this day for CanCare’s creativity in pairing up a volunteer survivor with a caregiver client." ...

Valerie

Client
volunteer
"I contacted CanCare and spoke to a woman who had faced and won the battle I was fighting. I felt so uplifted and re-energized to continue fighting and accept what was happening."

Peyton

Client
volunteer
"I am a proud supporter of CanCare! Without CanCare, I think I could still be searching for someone that understands my specific challenges and perhaps would still be struggling with how to move forward."

Tim

Client
volunteer
On one of my “lower days” during my fight to prostate cancer, a customer of my business stopped by to solicit a donation for her child’s school fundraiser. I apologized to her for my lack of energy(we had already canceled the meeting once before) as I had just returned from a radiation session. Well, at that point the entire conversation changed. She shared with me her own cancer story. And also the role that CanCare played in helping her cope with the challenges she faced.

Patricia A.

Client
volunteer
"The response by your team when I reached out was immediate and amazing! I felt their interest and caring was totally sincere."