Free Stuff for Lung Cancer Patients

It can be exhausting to clean your home when you are living with the symptoms of cancer and its treatment. Thankfully, you don't have to do it all alone anymore. Cleaning For A Reason is a service that offers four monthly housecleaning sessions for women undergoing treatment for any kind of cancer. Everyone qualifies -- they don't require any financial information, only a note from your oncologist indicating that you are a cancer patient. This service is available in most areas of the United States and is donated by individual cleaning companies.

• Cleaning for a Reason

Hair loss from chemotherapy can be traumatic enough emotionally, without the financial burden of purchasing hats and scarves. Several organizations have stepped up to the plate to try and ease that pain.

Francelux has a program called Good Wishes that offers a free scarf (worth $70) or headcover for women undergoing chemotherapy for any type of cancer.

• Good Wishes

Founded by a 10 year old, Heavenly Hats offers free hats for people who are facing hair loss due to cancer and other medical conditions.

• Heavenly Hats

More about chemotherapy induced hair loss:

• Tips for Coping with Hair Loss
• Choosing Head Covers for Hair Loss

Look Good Feel Better is a program available for women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer. In a small group or one-on-one setting, instructors share tips on skin care, makeup application (such as how to apply eyebrows if they are lost during chemotherapy), and tips on wearing scarves and wigs to cope with hair loss.

Men don't need to be left out. The Look Good website also has online information for men that includes tips on caring for your skin, body, hair and mind during cancer treatment.

• Look Good Feel Better – Programs for Women

Studies suggest that learning as much as possible about your cancer may improve your outcome. Yet time is limited during doctors visits, and it's sometimes hard to know where to begin.

CancerCare, a not-for profit organization that provides support for people living with cancer, has many educational workshops that you can listen to in the comfort of your own home. New topics are covered often, and there is an extensive archive of past topics than you can tap into at any time.

Examples of workshops available include stress management tips, coping with cancer pain, managing costs of recovery, finding hope and meaning after treatment, understanding and managing chemotherapy side effects, and many more.

• Connect Education Workshops

The Lydia Project offers free totes for women going through any kind of cancer treatment. The totes come filled with an inspirational journal, lotion, and other items. For women who are interested, a year of ongoing support is available in which you can share prayer requests, and request notes, phone calls, and emails.

• Lydia Project

Chemo Angels is a volunteer organization dedicated to bringing support and cheer to those who are going through chemotherapy for cancer. After completing a form that asks about your particular cancer, interests and hobbies, you will be "adopted" by a Chemo Angel and a Card Angel. These volunteers will then provide encouragement throughout your treatment by sending weekly cards, uplifting notes and small inexpensive gifts.

• Chemo Angels

Getting away from home, either with a loved one or alone with other cancer survivors, can be rejuvenating at times. Many opportunities are available, and in addition the resources listed here, you may want to check with your oncology team about options available near your home.

Camp Mak-A-Dream near Missoula, MT, offers a free retreat (although donations are accepted) for women who are going through or have completed treatment for any type of cancer. These four- to five-day retreats include great food, relaxation, opportunities for recreation, art classes and more.

• Camp Mak-A-Dream Adult Retreats