We uplift & strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.
We Believe That Community Is Stronger Than Cancer
We are a relentless ally for anyone who is striving to manage the realities of a cancer diagnosis. While we have witnessed many significant advances in treating this devastating disease, nothing takes the place of the power, inspiration, companionship, and connection that comes from community.
We are here to provide relevant and highly personalized support when and where it is needed most because Community Is Stronger Than Cancer.
Our Vision
Everyone impacted by cancer receives the support they want and need throughout their experience.
My cancer journey was much smoother due to the support of CSC, and they will have my support for the rest of my life.
PaulThree-time cancer thriver
I had to delve into this cancer arena with my fears and apprehensions. But the welcoming ears and helping hands from CSC made me feel a bit more at ease. They provided guidance, answers, and support.
KayDiagnosed with breast cancer
CSC has helped me just by knowing there are other people [who] can relate to what I had gone through, and also using my experience to spread perseverance and hope.
KristenDiagnosed with brain cancer
617K
Cancer patients and families served in 2024
$50M
Free support & navigation programming provided annually
3.2M
In-person visits, support calls, & digital connections
The Foundation of Our Mission
We strive to improve medical outcomes and create better experiences for patients, survivors, caregivers, and families impacted by cancer. Here's how we fulfill our work and mission:
Our experienced Helpline team offers free, personalized navigation by phone at 888-793-9355 or online.
Award-winning Education & Programs
We produce a variety of educational and digital resources for patients, caregivers, families, and providers.
Impactful Research
We conduct novel research on the emotional, psychological & financial experience of people impacted by cancer.
Cancer Advocacy
We advocate at all levels of government for policies to help individuals whose lives have been disrupted by cancer.
Inclusion & Equity for All
We believe in equity for all and fight every day to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect and have the opportunity to live healthy and safe lives — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We commit to listen, educate ourselves, and stand in solidarity with communities of color in these challenging times. We will hold our leaders, policymakers, and those in positions of power accountable with the expectation and conviction that these measures will end the inequalities we struggle with today and ensure that the opportunity to lead healthy and safe lives is within reach for all of us.
40 years ago, our founders transformed the way our culture faces cancer. We've been providing free, personalized cancer support ever since.
Duration: 7 min
Our Story
Find out more about our network and hear about our early days from Joanna Bull, Mitch Golant and Gilda Radner’s brother Michael Radner who were all instrumental in our founding and expansion.
A Look At The Past
1982
The Wellness Community Opens Its Doors
Our global network traces its roots to a yellow house in Santa Monica, California, where Harriet and Dr. Harold Benjamin transformed the way our culture faces cancer.
After Harriet’s diagnosis with cancer in 1972, Dr. Benjamin sought to create a community that would provide social & emotional support to cancer patients and their loved ones — all free of charge. In 1982, The Wellness Community opened its doors.
1995
Gilda's Club Worldwide Is Founded
Gilda Radner, the late comedian and one of the original cast members of “Saturday Night Live,” benefited from The Wellness Community after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986. Her experience inspired her to raise awareness about the need for similar support-focused organizations.
Although Radner passed away in 1989, her husband, Gene Wilder, and Joanna Bull, along with other friends and family, answered her call to action. Together, they founded Gilda’s Club Worldwide and opened its iconic Red Door in 1995 in New York City and expanded to dozens of cities across the nation.
2007
A Landmark Report Is Published
In 2007, the Institute of Medicine released "Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs," emphasizing the importance of addressing the social and emotional needs of individuals facing cancer, rather than just their physical needs.
The report underscored what The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide, and its affiliate networks, had been doing for many years and sparked merger discussions between the two organizations to serve more people impacted by cancer.
2009
Cancer Support Community Is Established
In 2009, to increase efficiencies and serve even more patients, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide became one organization: Cancer Support Community.
2015
A New Online Study Focuses on Patient Experiences
In line with the growing demand for patient-centered care, in 2015 our Research and Training Institute introduced the Cancer Experience Registry, an online research study that uncovers the emotional, physical, practical, and financial impact of cancer. By gathering the important insights of those affected by cancer through the CER survey, we have been working to create better outcomes for patients, survivors, and caregivers today, and for future generations.
2018
MyLifeLine Becomes Part of CSC
In 2018, we welcomed the Denver-based nonprofit MyLifeLine.org Cancer Foundation, a digital community of support that includes thousands of patients, caregivers, and their loved ones. The addition of MyLifeLine has enabled us to expand our services to even more people who are navigating cancer in their life or supporting a loved one through the experience.
2023
Patient Planning Services Merges With CSC
CSC’s social enterprise Patient Planning Services (PPS) merged with CSC, combining a decade of experience in developing and managing distress screeners to provide seamless digital mental health assessment and referral solutions for scalable use in hospitals, health centers, and nonprofits.
Interested in collaborating with CSC?
If you have an idea that aligns with CSC's mission and can help cancer patients or their loved ones, we want to hear from you.
