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Facing Cancer?  There are organizations and resources that can help.

Note from the Cancer Society during COVID:

Our Thunder Bay/ Northwestern Ontario office is still not open to in-person services but we have converted part of our office into a wig, breast prosthetic and accessories hub servicing ALL of Northern Ontario.  We are not doing any in-person fittings but we are taking request over the phone, through email, or through our online request form.  We now have over 500 wigs for women to choose from.  We have a database of pictures of all of our wigs which we can send to patients who have made a request for a wig.  Currently we are offering curbside pickup for local clients, clients who visit Thunder Bay, or we can mail a wig/BP package to those who live out of town or who cannot physically get to our office.  
 
Currently cancer patients can either email: Thunderbay-wigandbreastbanks@cancer.ca , call the number below or fill out the following request form online (this is the best option for the quickest service). 
Our current timeline to process an order is 5-7 business days.
 
Online Request Form:
https://canadiancancersociety.formstack.com/forms/wig_request_form

Newly diagnosed and not sure where to start?

  • Contact Carolyne, Social Worker at the Red Lake Family Health Team for guidance, support and information.  Call 727-2617 x259.
  • Looking for information on a specific type of cancer?  The Cancer Society has information on more than 100 types of cancers.  Click here for more information.
  • Cancer can be difficult to understand and coping can be stressful. It can help to talk to someone you can trust to give you reliable information and compassionate support. The Cancer Society's Cancer Information Service is available to anyone touched by this disease – from people living with cancer, their loved ones and caregivers. They can also help you find practical resources such as transportation, wigs, prosthesis and support groups. Call toll-free at 1-888-939-3333 or go to www.cancer.ca.  Katherine MacIver is a regional information and support volunteer and can be reached at 807-728-0959.​
  • Connect by phone with trained peer support volunteers who offer encouragement and share ideas for coping – all from their unique perspective as someone who has been there. This free and confidential service is open to individuals diagnosed with cancer or who are caring for someone with cancer. For more information and to register visit match.cancer.ca.

When you have to travel

  • The Cancer Society's Patient Navigation Program assists with the transportation of clients to cancer treatment over long distances.  Working in partnership with the Northern Health Travel Grant, the CCS office takes care of arranging all of the details for out of town travel.  This includes flight bookings, hotel confirmations, taxi vouchers, and scheduling volunteer drivers where available.  Contact Joan Arnott/Susan Murtomaki at 1-800-227-5557 x3518
  • Hope Air is a national charity that provides free flights to low-income Canadians who must travel to specialist medical care that does not exist in their communities.  Call 1-877-346-HOPE (4673) or go to https://hopeair.ca/Our-Worhopeair.ca/Our-Work/Travel-Request/Travel-Requestk/Travel-Request/Travel-Request to fill out a request online.

Financial Assistance

  • The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides grants to help defray the costs of transportation and accommodation for eligible residents of Northern Ontario who must travel at least 100km (one-way) to receive medical services that are not available locally.  Travel grants must be signed by your local physician/provider and can be requested at the front desk of the clinic.  
  • See the Cancer's Society's Financial Help page for information on programs and resources available to residents of Ontario. This information can help you determine your options, and guide you in the direction of where to get help. 

Finding Accommodations for you and your family

  • TBayTel Tamarack House: call 1-877-696-7223 or email tamarack@tbh.net.  Tbaytel Tamarack House provides affordable accommodations for patients from regional communities who are in Thunder Bay to receive health care at the Hospital.  Fees match the Northern Health Travel Grant.  ie. $100 per lodging night up to 2 lodging nights, $250 for 3 lodging nights, $500 for 4-7 lodging nights, $550 for 8 or more lodging nights.
  • The Princess Margaret Lodge provides accommodation at a reasonable rate for people receiving active cancer treatment (such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy or stem cell transplant) at either Princess Margaret Cancer Centre or Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto. It is a self-care facility for people who can manage their own personal care and medications. Family members can stay at the Lodge with you if space permits. There is a fee for family members who stay at the Lodge.
  • A Port in the Storm is a safe haven for rural and northern adults living in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Their goal is to reduce the financial burden of serious illness on those who must travel to and remain in Winnipeg to receive medical care. It is 'a place to call home'.  Email: admin@aportinthestorm.ca
    Phone: 204-231-0720, Fax: 204-594-6435
  • Lion's Foundation Rural Housing in Winnipeg offers financially-subsidized accommodations to adults and children from northern and rural Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario who must travel to Winnipeg for medical treatment.  The fully furnished suites are located in the Lions Manor at the corner of Portage Avenue and Sherbrook Street, close to Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Hospital, CancerCare Manitoba, Misericordia Health Centre, and St. Boniface Hospital. Call or email the Lions Foundation ph: 204-772-1899 or 1-800-552-6820.  Email info@LionsFoundation.org.
  • Lennox Bell Lodge provides safe, affordable and comfortable accommodation to rural patients and/or family members during their medical stay in Winnipeg. The facility is adjacent to the Health Sciences Centre Hospital (820 Sherbrook Street) and CancerCare Manitoba (675 McDermot Ave) and is connected via a tunnel system for year around access to various hospitals/ buildings.  Contact Information: Phone: 204-787-4271, Fax: 204-787-4533, Email: lennoxbellhostel@hsc.mb.ca
  • Ronald McDonald Family Room is a home within Winnipeg's Children's Hospital for families who can't be more than steps away from their sick child.  Any family with a pediatric patient is welcome.  Phone 204-787-4627
  • Ronald McDonald House Manitoba.  To be eligible to stay, families should be parents/guardians of a child (under 18) receiving treatment in Winnipeg for an illness or injury, live a minimum of 50 kilometres away from HSC Children's Hospital and have a referral from hospital staff (social worker, doctor, or nurse) for a first-time visit.  Guests are not admitted based on financial need, rather based on the medical condition of the child and the distance of the family's home from the hospital. Only one room per family is allocated and the cost is $10 per night. A medical referral form must be filled in and faxed to the House by a social worker, doctor, or nurse. The required form can be downloaded below or obtained by contacting Pat at 204-774-4777 or pat@rmhmanitoba.org.  Ronald McDonald House Request for Accommodation
  • Canad Inns Destination Centre HSC offers a special discounted rate for HSC patients and families and is attached to HSC.  
    Tel: (204) 594-9472, Fax: (204) 505-1521, email: hsc@canadinns.com. 
  • Mark Preece Family House in Hamilton. The Mark Preece Family house is a caring place to call home for families of patients in Hamilton area hospitals. It is located near Hamilton General Hospital and can also accommodate families of patients being treated at the Juravinski, St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s hospitals. All first-time guests must be referred by a member of their loved one’s health care team. Repeat guests may call the House directly to book a room (905-529-0770). To refer a family, fax the completed Guest Referral Form to 905-529-9955. We will contact the guest to confirm if a room is available and confirm their interest in the room. Click here for a copy of our GUEST REFERRAL Form. 
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