For Patients
Financial Support
There are a variety of resources that you may be eligible to access for financial support during your cancer treatment and recovery. These include programs offered by the national and provincial governments (i.e., employment insurance, sickness benefits, tax deductions, exceptional access programs) and not-for-profit initiatives (i.e., transportation for medical treatments for low-income patients).
For more information on these supports, please visit the Canadian Cancer Society’s Financial Help page.
Your treatment team may include a social worker, and it might be helpful to discuss these options with your provider if available to you.
Disability, Accessibility, and Community Services
Funded by the United Way, 211 is a cross-country source for government and community-based health and social services. The service is free and confidential, and can be accessed 24/7 through phone, text, online-chat, and the web. For more information, please visit the 211 website.
Your treatment team may be able to refer you for rehabilitation. If you have concerns, please speak to your treating team to see if additional resources may be available to you.
Patient Advocacy & Support Groups
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada offers different support options, including virtual programs, in-person and virtual support groups, and one-on-one support via e-mail and telephone. Please visit their Care & Support page and their AYA Resources page to learn more.
If you are located in Ontario, The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program provides personalized, supportive care to young adults with cancer. Please visit the AYA Oncology Program website if you are interested in accessing their services.
Individuals looking to get involved with patient advocacy groups can explore the following resources:
- The Ontario Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care Steering Committee (Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario)
- YACCtivists (Young Adult Cancer Canada)
- Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Community Calls (AYACAN)
For Caregivers
We understand the time, effort, and energy that caregivers devote to supporting AYAs with CNS tumours. At CANON, we believe that holistic care for our patients includes caring for AYA caregivers.
Community Support
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Caregiver Corner shares information on how to care for someone affected by a brain tumour, including links to private Facebook groups and virtual caregiver support groups.
Financial Assistance
The Government of Canada offers benefits to caregivers. For more information on how to apply, please visit the EI Caregiving Benefits page on their website.
Caring for Yourself
For general information on how to manage caregiver responsibilities and avoid burnout, please visit the Canadian Cancer Society.
For Caregivers
We understand the time, effort, and energy that caregivers devote to supporting AYAs with CNS tumours. At CANON, we believe that holistic care for our patients includes caring for AYA caregivers.
Community Support
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Caregiver Corner shares information on how to care for someone affected by a brain tumour. They also have links to private Facebook groups and virtual caregiver support groups.
Financial Assistance
The Government of Canada offers benefits to caregivers. For more information on how to apply, please visit the EI Caregiving Benefits page on their website.
Caring for Yourself
For general information on how to manage caregiver responsibilities and avoid burnout, please visit the Canadian Cancer Society.
For Providers
Multidisciplinary AYA Tumour Board
CANON hosts bi-weekly molecular tumour boards (MTB) with a multidisciplinary team of pediatric and adult healthcare providers to discuss complex AYA CNS cases. If you are a physician and are interested in attending a meeting or presenting a case, please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
CANON Database Study
CANON is conducting a database study to learn more about AYA patients with CNS tumours. We are building a prospective registry of clinical and molecular testing information to characterize the molecular/genetic landscape and outcomes of these tumours and standardize AYA care across Canada. If you are a healthcare provider treating an AYA CNS patient who may be interested in this study, please reach out to [email protected].