Share with others! EyeMelanoma.org quickly gets you to the info & resources you need.
Share with others! EyeMelanoma.org quickly gets you to the info & resources you need.
You are not alone —
On this page, patients and their loved ones will find many types of ocular melanoma support services that enable direct communication with others.
There is NO COST to participate in any of them.
Additional no-cost psychosocial support resources can be found on EyeMelanoma.org's Patient Empowerment, Vision-Related Support, and Mental Health Topics webpages.
A Cure In Sight "offers the [free] Cure Companions program — designed to connect patients and caregivers with 'veteran' companions who have walked the same path and are ready to offer guidance, support, and friendship. [...] Whether you need a Cure Companion to walk alongside you or want to become a Cure Companion to offer your experience and support, please don’t hesitate to reach out."
"Imerman Angels provides free personalized one-on-one cancer support for cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers." [The link below takes you to their website.] The Melanoma Research Foundation's CURE OM notes on its own website that it "partners with Imerman Angels to provide peer-to-peer support services to melanoma patients and caregivers. We invite you to register to be matched with a Mentor Angel or to volunteer to be a Mentor Angel."
At these weekly ACIS Ocular Melanoma Support Meetings, "connect with other OMies for support, friendship, and sharing experiences. We will split into two groups, one for metastatic patients and one for non-metastatic patients." [Note: There is not a specific webpage about the support group. The link below provides the meeting link shown by ACIS on Facebook. Also, the meeting link is always displayed near the bottom left of ACIS' homepage. Contact ACIS for more details.]
These free meetings on Zoom are held every Tuesday of each month, 7 – 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
"We invite you to join an upcoming CURE OM online support group, held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 – 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time and the fourth Thursday of the month from 8 – 9:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time for patients and caregivers. These once-a-month [free] support groups focus on diagnosis, treatment, medical updates, questions for peers, reflections, and more. The online support groups create a safe space to meet and share with other OM patients. To join a group or learn more, please contact education@melanoma.org."
"We want to bring people together so we can make ocular melanoma feel a little less rare. Join us most weeks on a Tuesday evening or Friday morning to meet other people online and talk through what is on your mind" in the Ocular Melanoma UK Community Support Group.
These free meetings on Zoom are held on Tuesdays and Fridays of each month, UK Standard Time.
"Staffed by community navigators and resource specialists who have extensive experience in helping people affected by cancer. We provide [free] guidance, resources, and support to cancer patients or their loved ones with a variety of needs." [...] Over-the-phone translation support in over 200 languages."
1-888-793-9355 [toll-free], Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m and Friday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.. Eastern Standard Time. Both phone support and one-on-one online chats are available during these hours.
"This [free] decision-support counseling program can help you prepare for an appointment in which you will be making a treatment decision. The program is available in English or Spanish for people with any stage of cancer. In a brief 1-hour session [at a CSC location], an Open to Options Specialist can help you develop a personal list of questions and concerns that will help you and your doctor explore your situation and develop the best treatment option for you."
"NCI's Cancer Information Service can help answer your cancer-related questions whether you are a patient, family or friend, health care provider, or researcher. CIS is a free and confidential service. Our trained information specialists provide personalized responses to a range of cancer topics. [...] All services are available in English and Spanish."
1-800-422-6237 [toll free], Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Both phone support and one-on-one online chats are available during these hours.
"Our team includes a specialized physician assistant to help you navigate through the entire spectrum of care. Our melanoma medical expert can provide accurate answers to a wide range of melanoma questions on a confidential basis. [...] Please send a message through the [online] form or call the toll free number and leave a message." [Note: This free service includes ocular melanoma. Click on the link below to access the form and to see a list of the types of non-urgent questions that can be addressed.]
"Ask a Nurse is your go-to guide for support, answers, and peace of mind. Have questions about melanoma? Confused by your pathology report? Struggling with managing side effects? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out on your own." [Note: MRF's free service includes ocular melanoma as part of its CURE OM initiative. Click on the link below to access the email address for contacting the nurse, as provided on their webpage.]
>> Creating No-Cost Private Webpages for Social, Emotional, and Practical Support from Family and Friends:
On both of the websites below, you can choose from features like documenting your journey, providing updates to others, and coordinating needs in a help calendar for rides, meals, childcare, etc. You can select who sets up and updates any of your webpages.
• Support group created in 2015. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2020. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2014. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2011 by Eye Cancer Foundation. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2019. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2011 by Ocular Melanoma Foundation. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2019. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2016. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2013. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2016. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2012. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2016 by Melanoma Patient Network Europe. Language: English. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2020 by Ocumel Canada. Languages: English and French. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2015. Language: English. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2017. Language: English. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2017. Language: English. Information on joining.
• Ocular Melanoma UK support groups on Facebook, created in 2014 and 2015: "Patient Group," "Family & Friends," "Bereaved Support," and "Knowledge & Research." Language: English. Click on individual links for information on joining.
• Support group created in 2016. Language: Swedish. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2021 by Melanoma Canada. Language: English. Information on joining.
• Support group created in 2016. Language: Dutch. Information on joining.
New information added to this webpage: March 25, 2025
Links to all external sites re-verified on this webpage: March 19, 2025
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