A lymphoma diagnosis can be challenging to cope with at any time, and the current pandemic has only increased stress, anxiety, and depression for many lymphoma patients.

To help support the mental health and well-being of the lymphoma community, the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation collaborated to offer a special presentation, Coping with a Lymphoma Diagnosis During COVID, led by Tammy Weitzman, a clinical social worker at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

The program addresses the challenges of dealing with a lymphoma diagnosis with a special emphasis on the additional concerns of accessing treatment during a pandemic and managing anxiety and depression as a lymphoma patient.

CancerCare helps individuals and families better cope with and manage the emotional and practical challenges arising from cancer. Our services–for patients, survivors, loved ones, caregivers, and the bereaved–include counseling and support groups, educational publications and workshops, and financial assistance. All of our services are provided by professional oncology social workers and are offered completely free of charge. To speak directly with a CancerCare social worker, call 1.800.813.HOPE (4673).

Online support communities such as listservs can directly link people living with cutaneous lymphoma to one another via email. The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation is pleased to promote the following listservs.

The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is an international nonprofit dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer. Likely the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States, CSC offers a menu of personalized services and education for all people affected by cancer. Its global network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of people touched by cancer. These support services are available through a network of professionally-led community-based centers, hospitals, community oncology practices and online, so that no one has to face cancer alone. For more information, visit their website or contact 888.793.9355.

Cancer Hope Network is a nonprofit organization that provides confidential one-on-one support to cancer patients and their families. They provide that support by matching cancer patients and/or family members with trained volunteers who have themselves undergone and recovered from a similar cancer experience. For more information, call 877.HOPENET (552.4366) or visit www.cancerhopenetwork.org.

The American Cancer Society created the Cancer Survivors Network, an online community of cancer survivors, families and friends. The mission of the program is to provide a “private, secure way to find and communicate with others who share your interests and experiences” and ultimately for participants to share their experiences, strengths and hopes.

Chemo Angels is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting people undergoing IV chemotherapy treatment for cancer. In addition to providing information and cancer-related resources, the organization matches patients who are going through the difficult time of chemotherapy with “Angels.” Many of the Chemo Angels volunteers are cancer survivors themselves or people whose lives have been affected by cancer in some way. The function of these Angels is to bring a bit of cheer and encouragement through gestures such as notes, cards and small gifts.

Imerman Angels “connects a person fighting cancer today (cancer fighter) with someone who has beaten the same type of cancer (cancer survivor). In addition, Imerman Angels also connects caregivers. A caregiver is a friend or family member who is supporting a cancer fighter. Like fighters and survivors, they may wish to be paired up with another caregiver who relates to and understands their situation. For more information, call 877.274.5529 or visit their website