Local Resources

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest and most impactful fundraising event to end cancer. It unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. By walking around a track or path for up to 24 hours, individuals and teams raise money and awareness to help the American Cancer Society save lives. Dollars raised support groundbreaking cancer research, education and prevention. Download the flyer for a list of local Relay for Life events.

Provides the centralized intake and eligibility determination for a rental assistance program offered through federal stimulus monies. Does not provide direct financial assistance.

PROGRAM LIMITED – Offers utility assistance to Tacoma Public Utilities customers. Serves individuals and families who meet the eligibility guidelines. Payment is issued once annually, and will be $150 per household.

What is a Cancer Resource Center? 

A Cancer Resource Center (CRC) is a designated space where trained volunteers help guide cancer patients, family members, and caregivers to cancer related information, and referrals to local, state and federal resources including American Cancer Society programs and services.

What will I find at the Cancer Resource Center? 

• Helpful, trained volunteers ready to assist you in finding resources
• Booklets on cancer types and other cancer related topics
• Access to cancer.org
• Free wigs and hats

What types of resources could the volunteers help me find?

• Nutrition
• Hair loss – FREE wigs available in the CRC
• Support Groups
• Financial Assistance
• Transportation Help
• Caregiver Resources
• And so much more!

Visit or call today to see how your local Cancer Resource Center can help you or a loved one through the cancer journey. It is always recommended to make an appointment for a wig fit by calling the above number or emailing the CRC.

Finishing Touch Permanent Cosmetics offers the “Finishing Touch” to women following breast reconstruction, restoring symmetry and confidence to survivors. Through three dimensional areola and nipple re/pigmentation, survivors celebrate their strength and tenacity in this process excitedly referred to as “The Icing on the Cake.” The psychological and emotional needs of clients are addressed and met allowing women to continue their lives feeling confident, sexy, beautiful and whole.

The goals of this FREE cancer support group are to provide a chance to talk with other survivors, to receive and offer others support, to learn stress management techniques, to provide education/information sharing, and allow an opportunity for participants to tell their story. Open to anyone touched by cancer: patients, survivors, family, friends, etc.

MONTHLY MEETINGS
The 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Harmony Hill’s mission is to transform the lives of those affected by cancer and to inspire healthy living for all.

We are cancer survivors, supporters, caregivers coming together to promote hope, healing and happiness to newly diagnosed, current and post treatment cancer patients and supporters. (All types of cancers.)

MONTHLY MEETINGS
The second Tuesday of every month
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

PSE Gas Bill assistance ONLY. There are two programs for utility help. If you have a 24-48 hour disconnect notice, call to make an appointment, otherwise walk in for an application or call to have one mailed.

The Cancer Resource Center provides patients and families with education and support to help them navigate through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. The Resource Center is part of the Dr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Center at Good Samaritan, which embraces a holistic, patient-centered style of cancer care.

The Resource Center offers the following services to anyone living with cancer, regardless of where they receive their care:

• Wig and Hat Program – Complimentary wig fittings, new wigs, and hats for patients
• “Look Good, Feel Better” – Complimentary skin care and makeup class for women who are about to, currently, or have recently undergone cancer treatment
• Exercise Classes – Complimentary fitness classes including Healthy Steps, Gentle Yoga and T’ai Chi Chih
• Holistic Care for Patients and Families
• Animal-Assisted Therapy – Designed to enhance patient’s wellbeing
• Cancer Support Group – Click to download informational flyer
• Lending Library – Cancer and health-related materials

What is SkinCare Therapy?
SkinCare Therapy refers to a range of specialized treatments that use specifically formulated products that are safe for compromised skin. Together they will nurture and strengthen your skin, bringing it back to a more comfortable and balanced state.

During and After Your Therapy
You will be taken to a warm, comfortable room, given privacy to put on a treatment gown where you will relax on a warm therapy bed; wrapped in a blanket with a special covering on your head. Your Esthetician will analyze your skin to determine the health and hydration levels and then discuss any concerns you have. As your skincare therapy treatment is being performed, feel free to talk, ask questions, listen to music, rest your eyes or even take a nap. You will leave relaxed and pampered with a better understanding of how to hydrate, nourish and protect your skin during cancer treatments.

OPEN – Provides assistance to low income Pierce County residents. Helps with heating sources; gas, electricity, fuel, and firewood. Do not refer callers if they are looking for assistance with water.

Offers bill payment arrangements including budget plan, “going prior”, and third party  designee.

SCCA Proton Therapy Center is the only proton therapy center in the Pacific Northwest and a seven-state region surrounding region. Our doctors are excited to have proton therapy as part of their arsenal in making the most targeted and effective treatments available to patients. As an advanced form of radiation treatment, proton therapy can be calibrated with great precision to selectively kill cancer cells while avoiding healthy tissue.

• SCCA Proton Therapy Virtual Support Offerings
• SCCA Proton Therapy Links to Resources
• SCCA Proton Therapy Patient Stories

This Survivor and Caregiver Resource Guide was created to help Survivors and Caregivers find medical and emotional support, education, assistance with day-to-day needs, and a connection to people who share an experience with cancer.

No matter where you are in your journey, you may have many important decisions to make. Making those decisions will become easier when you have the information you need about the disease and about support services in our community that are available to you and your family.

You will find information from the American Cancer Society, Pierce County’s two largest health systems—Franciscan and MultiCare—and a host of local community resources. We have also included online resources that can provide useful specific information related to many different types of cancer.

This Resource Guide is a work in progress—we hope to keep adding more resources as part of our effort to be of some help to all Survivors and Caregivers.

Reduced rates for all City of Tacoma utilities are available to qualified, low-income customers.

Tuck aims to improve sleep hygiene, health, and wellness through the creation and dissemination of comprehensive, unbiased, free resources. Boasting the largest collection of aggregated data on sleep surfaces on the web, Tuck aims to power consumers, sleep professionals, and the troubled sleeper looking for answers.

Click to learn more about Sleep and Cancer.

United Way is engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide. Focused on creating community-based and community-led solutions that strengthen the cornerstones for a good quality of life, education, financial stability and health.