We fight cancer with kindness
Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater is a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the emotional, practical and non-medical needs of cancer patients and their caregivers in the Greater Tidewater community.
We support cancer patients in treatment at an individual level, regardless of particular cancer diagnosis, age, race gender or socio-economic status. Our programs create lasting friendships, ease fears, reduce stress and instill hope.
We believe that any cancer diagnosis is a greatest fear realized. Every day we help patients meet that fear with kindness, courage and dignity.
Acts of Kindness Program – A smile, a hug, a hand to hold
Our Acts of Kindness program provides daily volunteer support to meet the emotional needs of cancer patients in treatment and their caregivers. More than 150 volunteers fan out across the Greater Tidewater region to serve savory sandwiches, snacks, sweet treats and beverages as a vehicle to provide emotional support to patients during chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatment at 10 clinic locations.
We have found that food can do more than just physically nourish. Food can start a conversation, calm a fear, foster a friendship and restore dignity.
If you would like to join us as an Acts of Kindness Volunteer, please click here to learn more.
Direct Patient Assistance Program – Help when you need it most
Our Direct Patient Assistance program provides emotional support in the form of modest financial and practical assistance to cancer patients in treatment. Our funding is practical vehicle to provide support and peace of mind to patients by alleviating temporary financial concerns related to non-medical expenses.
Individuals battling cancer who have inadequate financial means to meet pressing non-medical needs may apply for assistance through knowledgeable medical and social work professionals in their continuum of care. Medical professionals seeking support on behalf of patients in treatment, please click here to download our Patient Assistance Application.
BEACH Buddies
Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater is proud to be the community sponsor of the B.E.A.C.H (Be A Cancer/Hematology) Buddy program at Eastern Virginia Medical School. The BEACH Buddies program is a big buddy/little buddy club that pairs EVMS medical students with children and teenagers from the Blood Disorder and Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. Throughout the year, the program sponsors monthly events that allow the patients and families to get out of the hospital to enjoy fun kid-centric opportunities in the community. These events range from visiting Hunt Club Farms during Halloween, playing laser tag at Laser Quest, to enjoying arcade games at Dave and Busters. The BEACH Buddies program also allows EVMS students to provide emotional support to their “little buddies” while they are in the main hospital’s clinic receiving treatment. The program provides a wonderful and unique source of support, friendship and fun to children in treatment, while training the next generation of physicians in the importance of emotional support as an integral component of patient care.
Community Wellness and Resources
Through partnerships and innovative programming, Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater strives to inspire, celebrate and educate. Acts of Kindness Clubs (AOK Clubs) are student-led clubs throughout the community that conduct fundraising and awareness activities to benefit the patients served by Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater.
If you are a patient or caregiver seeking community-based resources, please click here for a listing of local support groups. If you do not find what you are looking for, please call our office at 461-8488. We are happy to help you find exactly the support you need.