Get Answers to Your Questions

Our donors and community partners allow Cancer Wellness Center to deliver services free of charge, removing any barriers between you and the guidance you deserve. For more than three decades, our services have been free to those that need them － it’s part of our core values.

Doctor referrals are not required. Because all of our programs and services are donor-funded, they are offered free of charge and no referrals or insurance requirements are needed.

All of our services are offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Eligibility for our services includes:

Individuals diagnosed with cancer who are currently in treatment or within five years of completing treatment.

Loved ones of a person diagnosed with cancer, including spouses, partners, family members, or close support persons, while their loved one is in treatment or within five years post‑treatment.

Bereaved individuals who have lost a spouse, partner, or family member to cancer within the past five years.

Unless otherwise specified, our virtual programs are available to anyone who has been affected by cancer at any point in their lives.

If you have questions, please contact our Intake Coordinator at (847) 562-4981.

We typically offer up to eight 50-minute counseling sessions for each type of counseling. If your situation changes or you’re facing unique challenges—such as end-of-life care, services for a child, or a significant change in your health—we’ll do our best to explore options for additional support.

People seek counseling at various points in their cancer experience. You may be dealing with the shock of a new diagnosis, relationship struggles, changes to your body, or anxiety about the future. Or you might be a caregiver learning to juggle your many new responsibilities alongside worry for your loved one.

Whatever your history with therapy, there is no perfect time or reason to seek support. Needing help during one of the most difficult human experiences is not a sign of weakness. It just means you’re a human going through profound change, and working with a skilled therapist can help you navigate overwhelm, make sense of your feelings, and develop coping strategies in a safe and confidential setting.

Our donor-supported, no-cost professional counseling services are designed to meet you where you are, without judgment or an agenda other than supporting your social and emotional needs. Our services are accessible to everyone, regardless of location, insurance, or legal status.

Yes! Friends and family members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Our clinical team is typically able to schedule people for their first session within 1-2 weeks after the required enrollment and consent forms have been submitted.

Anyone age 18 or older must speak directly with our Intake Coordinator to be referred for counseling, groups or nutrition consulting. Parents or legal guardians of children under the age of 18 may request services on their behalf. If you have a family member or friend interested in attending a wellness class or educational program with you, you are welcome to complete the registration on their behalf. Please call the Center at (847) 509-9595.

While cancer support groups are not therapy, they do offer a therapeutic benefit. Multiple research studies and our own participant surveys show that cancer support groups can help members reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Group participation can also improve your quality of life, sleep, communication skills, and self-advocacy with healthcare teams.

Members often describe our support groups as uniquely validating of their emotions and experience of living with cancer. Many participants find that sharing openly and hearing from others in similar situations offers both a sense of relief and renewed strength to face their challenges.

Support groups do have challenges. A fellow member may die, or someone may have a cancer recurrence. But these things happen regardless of whether you’re in a group. The difference is that you can process your feelings with others and have open, honest conversations about how to cope.

The Center offers a variety of groups to provide multiple options for peer support. If you’re not sure which type of support group might be best for you, reach out to our intake coordinator at (847) 562-4981 to do a brief intake conversation and get answers to any questions you might have.

To register for a wellness, fitness, or nutrition program, please contact our Intake Coordinator at (847) 562-4981 to do a brief intake call.

The Center is located at 215 Revere Dr., Northbrook, Illinois 60062. Many of our services and programs are available virtually as well, and we offer some selected programs at other nearby locations. Read more about our locations here.

While our virtual wellness and education programming is open across state lines, license requirements may limit whether we can offer counseling or support group services to people living outside of Illinois. The clinical team currently includes PsyPact credentialed psychologists who can offer services on a limited basis to people who reside outside of Illinois.

For more information, please contact our Intake Coordinator at (847) 562-4981.

Yes. We have programs and services available to people who have completed cancer treatment. For more information, please contact our Intake Coordinator at (847) 562-4981 to do a brief intake call.

Donating to the center is easy. Click here to make a contribution. We gratefully accept both one-time and monthly recurring donations.

Donated goods are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please call the Center at (847) 509-9595 to find out if the items you wish to donate are needed.

Thank you for considering volunteering with us! Read about the many ways you can contribute here.

We greatly appreciate your generosity in considering a planned gift to Cancer Wellness Center! Read more about making a gift in your will or trust and how to get started.

Cancer Wellness Center is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. Our federal tax ID number (EIN) is 36-3604463. Please keep your online donation receipt for your records.

We apologize for any issues you may be experiencing. Your donation is greatly appreciated and we are here to help. Please call our Director of Development, Michelle Maer, at (847) 562-4974 for help processing your gift.

Charity Navigator, the leading nonprofit evaluator in the U.S., awarded us a 96% score for accountability, financial transparency, and community impact. This Four-Star rating places us among the most trusted cancer-support organizations nationwide.