Cancer and Careers’ mission is to empower and educate people with cancer to thrive in their workplace. While our programs and resources are designed for ANYONE with a cancer diagnosis (or those supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis), we acknowledge that specific communities may have different needs to navigate the cancer space. We wanted to kick off Pride Month by spotlighting some incredible organizations in the cancer community specifically serving LGBTQIA+ patients and survivors. Starting off, we have an organization that has been a wonderful community partner on our Regional and National Conferences

The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by educating the LGBT community about their increased cancer risks and the importance of screening and early detection, training health care providers to offer more culturally-competent, safe and welcoming care; and advocating for LGBT survivors in mainstream cancer organizations, the media and research. Some of their work includes the CDC-funded Tobacco Related Cancer Project which aims to reduce tobacco and cancer-related disparities in LGBTQ+ populations, Out: The National Cancer Survey which is a survey for LGBTQ cancer survivors to improve cancer care by sharing experiences of LGBT folx with cancer; and LGBT Cultural Competency Training which identifies best practices in this arena with the hope that many will take this information and create better systems, policies, and practices.

For more information visit their website cancer-network.org 

Escape’s mission is to provide a sense of Escape for LGBTQIA+ Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers. They work to cultivate a space for adolescent and young adult cancer patients to feel represented and to highlight LGBTQIA+ voices. Some of their work includes a blog for LGBTQIA+ folx to share their experiences as patients, survivors, and caregivers, a secret support group for LGBTQIA+ cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers on Facebook (not searchable to reduce the risk of being outed), Zoom events to connect the community globally, information on cancer patient care for Transgender and LGBQIA+ folx and information on how to advocate for yourself as an LGBTQIA+ cancer patient.

For more information visit their website escapeayac.org

Queering Cancer was founded to transform cancer care for the LGBTQ2+ community by improving research, resources, and support for patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Their work includes collating and sharing resources and information through their database, blogs and social media, sourcing and providing education for healthcare professionals to support affirming care, curating stories and first person accounts from LGBTQ2+ patients and careers, providing organizational consultancy and education in LGBTQ2+ oncology care, and researching LGBTQ2S+ cancer experience and improving care.

For more information visit their website queeringcancer.ca 

If you’re looking for more LGBTQIA+ resources, check out this resource guide put together by Escape with even more organizations and resources! Happy Pride everyone.