Resources and Support

About cancer

• CDC: Cancer
• MDH: About Cancer

Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer screening

• CDC: Cervical Cancer Screening
• National Cancer Institute: Cervical Cancer Screening
• United States Preventive Services Task Force Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations
• American Cancer Society Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations

Breast cancer screening

• CDC: Screening for Breast Cancer 
• National Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer Screening
• United States Preventive Services Task Force Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
• American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations

Support resources for cancer patients

• American Indian Cancer Foundation – Provides support to Tribal, Urban Indian, and non-Tribal/Native community focused organizations on cancer burdens in Indian Country, including survivorship programming. 
• American Cancer Society – A nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. 
• Angel Foundation - Provides support to local adults with cancer and their families through programs such as Emergency Financial Assistance, Facing Cancer Together, and Financial Cancer Care. 
• Cancer Legal Care – Provides free legal care services to Minnesotans dealing with cancer and other burdens that come along with it such as employment, debt, estate planning, SSDI, insurance coverage and more. 
• Cancer Survivorship Care Plans - A survivorship care plan includes important information about your cancer and treatment, which helps you and your doctors understand each other. Bring it with you whenever you go to the doctor. 
• Cleaning for a Reason – Provides free home cleaning to patients battling cancer. 
• Cleaning Up for Cancer – Provides free home cleanings to residents in the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area currently undergoing cancer treatment. 
• Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (Clues) - Provides several programs to promote Latino social and economic equity and wellbeing. 
• Gilda’s Club - Provides Free social and emotional support for everyone currently impacted by cancer. 
• Hmong American Partnership – Provides navigation and resources to the Hmong population, including health insurance and SNAP enrollments. 
• Jack’s Caregiver Coalition – Provides support for anyone 18 and older who has cared for a loved one facing a health crisis. 
• Livestrong – Provides information and resources for cancer patients, caregivers and survivors. 
• The Negative Space – Provides caregiver support including direct services and education. 
• Open Arms – Provides free, medically tailored meals delivered to patients’ doors. 
• Pathways-Holistic Healing – Serves individuals who seek healing for body, mind, heart and spirit. 
• Vietnamese Social Services - Serves low-income families, welcomes newly arrived immigrant and refugees, and supports those on their journey as new Americans. 
• Pay It Forward Fund – Provides financial assistance for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer or other types of women’s cancer. 
• WellShare – Provides resources for maternal and child health promotion, youth leadership and engagement, chronic and infectious disease prevention and management, mental health education and outreach, health system connections, and economic development. 

Breast cancer resources

• Firefly Sisterhood - Fosters one-to-one connections between women who are impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis and inspirational survivors.
• Susan G Komen Foundation – Provides resources, support, financial assistance and more for those impacted by breast cancer. 
• The Hope Chest – Provides emergency financial support to MN breast cancer patients and their families by providing urgent daily needs for housing, transportation, utilities, food and childcare expenses. 
• Breast Cancer Education Association - Provides education about breast cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Volunteers can connect those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer with support resources and the latest information on research, treatment options, nutrition and care. 
• Stairstep Foundation - A faith-based community organization dedicated to health, wellness and peace in Minnesota’s African American communities working through a network of churches throughout Minnesota.
• African American Breast Cancer Alliance – Provides awareness, education, hope, and support to Black/African American/People of Color breast cancer and cancer survivors, their family members, and the community. 
• Breast Cancer Champions – Community leaders and experts provide outreach to women in community locations to raise awareness on breast cancer risk and connect them to screening resources. https://www.facebook.com/breastcancerchampions
• Young Survivor Coalition – Provides resources, connections and outreach for women going through breast cancer treatment. Helps patients diagnosed with breast cancer at 40 or younger, regardless of current age. 

Resources for those not eligible for Sage

Resources for individuals under 30

• Minnesota Family Planning Program – Individuals may qualify for the Minnesota Family Planning Program (MFPP), which offers no-cost office visits for family planning, birth control, STD testing/treatment, and other services.
• Medical Assistance –Individuals may qualify for Medical Assistance (MA), which is Minnesota’s Medicaid program for people with low income. 
• MinnesotaCare - Individuals may qualify for MinnesotaCare, which is a health care program for Minnesotans with low income. 
• MNSure – Minnesota's health insurance marketplace where individuals and families can find health insurance coverage that meets their needs. Most Minnesotans who enroll through MNsure qualify for financial help. 
• Planned Parenthood – May offer low-cost Pap smears. Offers sexual and reproductive health care to individuals, regardless of income. 
• Clinic sliding fee scale – Some clinics and all Federally Qualified Health Centers provide a sliding fee scale for individuals with low incomes. Ask your clinic for more information.

Resources for individuals ages 65 and older

• Medicare – Health insurance for people 65 or older, or for those who have certain chronic diseases. 
• Minnesota Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) – Regional organizations that provide the services, supports and information for just about everything that older adults and their families could need. 
• Senior LinkAge Line – Assists older adults with signing up for Medicare. Individuals can call Minnesota's Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433 or visit their website.