Finding support as a carer
When you’re caring for a loved one living with bladder cancer, it’s easy to put aside your own needs.2 This is understandable and natural. It’s important to recognize that you’ve taken on a caring role, which may affect your own wellbeing, so that you remember to look after yourself.3
There are organizations that offer different types of help for carers, including support groups, financial advice, helplines, and information about treatments. To help you get started, here’s a list of organizations recommended by healthcare specialists in bladder cancer:*
American Bladder Cancer Society
Offers support for people living with bladder cancer and their loved ones. There’s also a forum on the website with different topics open for discussion and questions.
Caregivers’ forum: https://bladdercancersupport.org/forum.html
Phone: (413) 684-2344
Toll-Free: (888) 413-2344
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
A not-for-profit, national advocacy organization dedicated to advancing bladder cancer research and supporting those living with the disease.
The website has a range of educational resources and support:
https://bcan.org/about-bcan/about-us/
The online community includes a Caregivers’ Corner:
https://www.inspire.com/groups/bladder-cancer-advocacy-network/
You can also search for in-person support groups by state:
https://bcan.org/find-support/in-person-support-group/
American Cancer Society
A national charity dedicated to supporting people with cancer and advancing research.
The website has detailed information, and links to support services:
https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/acs-cares.html
The American Cancer Society has lots of other useful resources, including videos to help caregivers handle sensitive topics, such as supporting young children when a family member has cancer:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/caregivers.html
24/7 Phone helpline: 1-800 227-2345
CancerCare
A leading national organization offering free support to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer.
The website has specific advice for those caring for a loved one with bladder cancer:
https://www.cancercare.org/publications/417-caregiving_for_a_loved_one_with_bladder_cancer
Cancer.Net
Information for people with cancer, their families and caregivers, from the American Society of Clinical Oncology:
Caring Men
Support and resources for people who identify as men, and have a loved one living with cancer: https://caringmen.org/caregiving-101/
National Alliance for Caregiving
A non-profit coalition of national organizations who conduct research and policy analysis to develop best-practice programs and works to increase public awareness of caregiving and its challenges.
Their website has guidance for carers, mental health support tools and a place to share stories and experiences with other carers.
https://www.caregiving.org/
*The links are provided as a resource. This is not an endorsement and EMD Serono has no control over the content of any website not owned by EMD Serono.
- National Caregivers Day. https://nationaltoday.com/national-caregivers-day/. Accessed 25 Nov 2024.
- National Cancer Institute. Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients. Last updated January 12, 2023. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/caregiver-support. Accessed 25 Nov 2024.
- Embracing Carers. Looking after yourself. Last updated September 2022. https://www.embracingcarers.com/looking-after-yourself/ Accessed 25 Nov 2024.