Resources
Note: If you have an immediate medical concern, or if you or a family member are currently a patient at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and have medical questions, please discuss them directly with your physician(s).
Resources at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
The Health and Cancer Information Center
The Health and Cancer Information Center is devoted to assisting anyone whose life has been touched by cancer. The center is open on a walk-in basis for patients and their families to provide up-to-date information on cancer treatment options, resources and emotional support.
Stop by the Health and Cancer Information Center to watch the video Understanding Radiation Therapy before you start your treatment and pick up any information related to your kind of cancer and how to cope.
Other Cancer Information Center resources include:
- Lending library of books and videotapes
- Selected books and tapes are for sale on cancer, coping and visualization
- Free wigs and turbans for people undergoing treatment who lose their hair
- Nutritional supplements for those undergoing treatment who have difficulty maintaining good nutrition
- Free breast prosthesis and mastectomy bras for women without insurance
- Emotional support is offered through support groups and individual counseling - included are “Reach to Recovery”, “Can Surmount” and a Prostate Cancer Support Group
- Computer services - link to Internet
Smoking Cessation Program
For those who need help to quit smoking, the Health and Cancer Information
Center offers “Take Control of Your Life,” a six-session behavior
modification program offered four times a year. Support and encouragement are
provided while an individualized program is developed that will work for you.
Contact Us
Psychological Support
The diagnosis of cancer can be very frightening. You may feel overwhelmed by questions and uncertainty of the future. By taking charge of your life and becoming well-informed about your disease, you can become a more active participant in your recovery. Hope casts out fear. The Health and Cancer Information Center offers a wide range of materials to help you gain information and support for your illness.
The Cancer Information Center also offers assistance to patients on a limited
income with no health insurance, who need a referral to a psychologist/counselor
for emotional support in coping with cancer.
Contact Us
Hope Lodge
Contact the radiation oncology social worker to arrange lodging while you
are receiving radiation treatments.
Contact Us
Food and Nutrition Services
The importance of maintaining good nutrition is a vital part of medical care
for individuals with cancer. Your physician or nurse may recommend that
you meet with a dietitian while you are receiving radiation therapy or before
you start your treatment
If you would like to meet with a dietitian, please notify your physician, nurse,
or therapist.
Contact Us
Pastoral Care
Finding out you have cancer commonly raises spiritual concerns for you and
those close to you. Many of us have beliefs, values and hopes regardless
of whether we are affiliated with any congregation. Why might you want to talk
with a chaplain?
For help with devotional needs, specific religious rituals and prayer.
In dealing with difficult decisions, life changes, family concerns, death, loss,
crisis, uncertainty, religious issues, and hope.
Contact Us
Feel free to leave a message if the chaplain is not in the office.
Other St. Louis Resources
Heartland Division
4207 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 286-8100
(800) ACS-2345
Illinois Division
801 West Main
Collinsville, IL 62234
(618) 345-7911
(800) ACS-2345
Cancer Family Care Jewish Family and Children’s Services
9385 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
(314) 993-1240
Cancer Family Care helps people and their families cope with the emotional stresses that arise when a family member has cancer. Professional counseling is available in the office or at another location when needed. Service is provided on a sliding fee scale and may be covered by health insurance.
Cancer Family Care also offers bereavement counseling for people coping with the death of a loved one from cancer. Services are available to people of all ages — from children to adults. Cancer Family Care also provides information to patients and publishes the “Gateway Cancer Resource Guide.”
Cancer Support Center of St. Louis
12142 Lackland Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63146
(314) 434-1120
Offers eight ways to regain hope, fight cancer, get the most out of life and give the cancer patient the best chance to live, as an adjunct to medical treatment. A full-service center for adult patients, family and friends with individual, family and group counseling and support. Building health, stress management and prevention workshops. Also, programs for healthcare professionals and the public are available. Home and hospital visits for the center's patients, when needed. Trained telephone counselors provide support and education. Insurance billing is available, although no one is turned away because of inability to pay.
The Miriam Foundation
501 Bacon Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 962-6059
Miriam is a philanthropic organization that provides funds for:
- Wigs and prostheses for needy patients
- Dietary supplements for home consumption
- Infusion pump rental
Patient must be referred by a hospital social worker or other cancer service professional.
The Ronald McDonals House
Radiation Oncology Social Worker will assist you
(314) 454-7632
St. Louis Peregrine Society, Inc.
2343 Hampton Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 781-6775
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
The Peregrine Society serves cancer patients in the city of St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The following services are provided free of charge when not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance:
- Consultation with patient's doctor to determine need
- Surgical dressings
- Prescription medications
- Transportation assistance to and from treatment centers
- Prostheses following surgery
- Dietary supplements
- Postoperative appliances
- Assorted items such as gauze and tape
- Holiday program
- Special events for children with cancer
- Respite care
The Wellness Community of Greater St. Louis
10425 Old Olive Street Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 993-4333
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Wellness Community is a support center for people with cancer, their families and friends, and survivors. Educational workshops, stress-reducing programs and weekly support groups help participants to learn they are not alone, find hope and regain control over their lives. These programs are provided free of charge to cancer patients as an adjunct to traditional treatments, and to survivors for continued wellness. Evening and Saturday programs are available and are noted on the bi-monthly calendar.
National Resources
American
Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a national voluntary organization dedicated to
eliminating cancer through research, education, service and rehabilitation.
Services to cancer patients and their families include:
- Information and guidance: referrals, treatment information and educational materials
- Non-sterile dressings
- Durable medical equipment
- Transportation to and from treatment centers
- Assistance for pain medication reimbursement (Missouri only)
- Rehabilitation Services:
- Reach to Recovery
- Can Surmount
- I Can Cope
- Look Good, Feel Better
- Wigs
- Breast Prostheses
National
Cancer Institute
31 Center Drive MSC 2580
Building 3, Room 10A16
Bethesda, MD 20892-2580
