Press Kit ~ Cancer Support Community Los Angeles

Press Kit

Our online press kit provides an overview and the latest updates on Cancer Support Community Los Angeles (CSCLA).

About Us
Our Programs and Approach
Fact Sheets
Media Contact

About Us

Who We Are

Cancer Support Community Los Angeles (CSCLA) is a registered nonprofit dedicated to providing free, mental health and wellness support to anyone impacted by cancer in Los Angeles and Palm Springs/Coachella Valley. Our mission is to uplift and strengthen people affected by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.
Our vision is to inspire strength, wholeness, and connection through an inclusive community of care so that no one faces cancer alone.

Who We Serve

We serve anyone affected by cancer, including cancer patients of all ages (including children), all diagnoses, and all stages. We also welcome cancer survivors, family members or loved ones, and caregivers. Cancer Support Community Los Angeles is proud to serve those with limited access to care as a result of health inequalities, stigma, and discrimination. One-third of those we serve are Spanish-speaking and nearly a third are people of color.

What We Do

CSCLA champions the physical and mental health, long-term resilience, and survivorship of cancer patients, their families, and loved ones. Led by licensed clinical therapists, we address the often-overlooked mental and emotional needs of those affected by cancer through free, evidence-based support resources. Our programs and services include:

We also partner in hospital-initiated and community-based Participatory Research and advocate on the intersectionality of cancer care and health equity.

Our History

Cancer Support Community Los Angeles (CSCLA, formerly The Wellness Community) was founded in 1982 by Dr. Harold H. and Harriet Benjamin to provide a safe space where cancer patients and their loved ones could talk about their trauma and find support and connection. We serve over 3,500 community members annually – 1,500 through counseling and support groups and over 1,000 through presentations and outreach – through approximately 100 virtual and in-person programs each month. Research shows that CSCLA’s programs reduce anxiety and depression, restore feelings of control, and increase feelings of hope, therefore improving patient response to treatment. Because of our support, 90% of participants report an improved quality of life and 82% feel more empowered to manage their illness.

Our Unique Cancer Care Services

CSCLA is the only cancer support agency in the Los Angeles and Coachella Valley regions that:

Provides social and emotional support that’s free, culturally competent, and linguistically accessible to promote health equity and accessible care for anyone affected by cancer
Serves both cancer patients and their family members, caregivers, and loved ones.
Actively works to bridge the digital divide for under-resourced patients through its digital access libraries and free access to tablets and hotspots.

Our services are free and accessible to all, regardless of income or insurance status.

Our Programs and Approach

Led by licensed mental health professionals, our programs and services are provided in virtual, in-person, and hybrid settings to meet the unique needs of our participants, with many programs available in Spanish. We work with a robust network of community-based partners to enhance the reach and impact of our services.

Research has shown that cancer education interventions, such as the promotion of healthy behaviors and patient connection to treatment options, can reduce the devastating effects of cancer. These interventions are particularly important in communities of color, where rates of cancer diagnoses and deaths from almost every type of cancer are higher compared to Caucasian patients. CSCLA recognizes that vulnerable populations lack culturally competent services and providers. Historically entrenched health inequalities, stigma, and discrimination further hinder access to high-quality mental health and supportive services. We designed our services to be inclusive, with a focus on those facing limited access to psychosocial support. We reach diverse groups, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, (BIPOC); Latinx, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI); Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Queer+ (LGBTQ+); seniors; children; and other under-served communities in Los Angeles.

Healing Equitably through Action, Resiliency, and Teamwork (HEART) Initiative

The HEART Initiative provides free, culturally congruent, and inclusive care to diverse and historically under-resourced populations and therapy deserts across Los Angeles. Services include one-on-one therapy sessions, support groups (including identity-based and diagnosis-based options), educational workshops, healthy lifestyle classes, and social events. To overcome challenges like geographic location, limited access to technology or transportation, and immunocompromised conditions, HEART maintains digital access libraries and facilitates free access to tablets and hotspots for participants. The initiative caters to community members of diverse socioeconomic levels, races, ethnicities, ages, sexualities, gender identities, and immigrant statuses, including those with low income and limited or no insurance. Currently, HEART primarily serves Latinx and Spanish-speaking and LGBTQ+ participants, as well as under-resourced Korean, Chinese, and Black communities.

HEART partners with organizations embedded in and knowledgeable of our communities’ unique challenges. We also employ therapists who are from within our local communities and speak their language. Their experiences and established trust with patients allow CSCLA to tailor our services to the needs of participants and increase countywide access to care.

Expansion to Coachella Valley and Palm Springs

In 2024, CSCLA expanded its programming to the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs in Riverside County, particularly for the LGBTQ+, Spanish-speaking, and age 55+ communities.

Despite lower cancer incidence, Riverside County experiences higher cancer mortality rates compared to the state average. Mental health and chronic diseases including cancer were both identified as significant local health challenges¹. Barriers to healthcare access include transportation and distance from services, a lack of providers and affordable coverage, knowledge needed to access care, and insufficient bilingual services. Similarly, barriers to mental health include limited access, stigma, and a lack of Spanish-language and culturally competent services.

CSCLA directly addresses these needs by providing virtual and in-person programs and services that are no-cost, culturally competent, and linguistically accessible through partnerships with local health organizations. We aim to expand the existing virtual programming to offer in-person support groups for Coachella Valley residents in the coming years.

Annual Reports & Financials

https://www.cancersupportla.org/about/financials

Social Media

Our newsletter has over 11,500 subscribers.
Facebook: Cancer Support Community Los Angeles
Instagram: @cancersupportla
YouTube: @cancersupportcsc

News Updates

Over the Edge coverage on KTLA news: CSCLA & Andaz West Hollywood Helps Raise Money for Cancer Patients
Rappel for Cancer Support at Andaz West Hollywood: Rappel Andaz for cancer victims, featured in Beverly Press
Cancer Support Community Los Angeles Now Serving Palm Springs, featured in DCN News

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We value your feedback! Please take a moment to complete our annual Program Survey—your anonymous feedback will help us improve our programs and secure funding, ensuring these programs remain entirely free. This is an annual survey so please take it even if you have done so in the past. The estimated time is 10 minutes to complete, and your responses remain confidential.
2025 Annual Report
Celebration and Tribute Pages