CancerCare history

1946 The first CancerCare Chapter was founded in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

National Cancer Center was founded by Doctor J. Ernest Ayre, in 1953 as a non-profit organization committed to research and education about cancer.

1954 CancerCare’s bequest program begins with a large donation from the estate of CancerCare supporter Cecile Sawyer.

1964 New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner proclaims CancerCare Week during a ceremony at City Hall.

1969 CancerCare produces "A Special Kind of Care," a nationally recognized film.

By 1980, CancerCare was helping more than 25,000 people with its free counseling services, which to this day are the heart of the organization’s work.

1983 CancerCare honors Rawleigh Warner, CEO of Mobil, at its first Human Services Award Dinner.

Cancer Care of North Central Washington, Inc. was started in 1993 by a small group of Cancer survivors and health care professionals who realized that some of the needs of cancer patients in the North Central Washington area were not being met.

1994 CancerCare becomes a national organization with the establishment of its toll-free counseling line which extended its counseling, support groups, educational workshops, resources and professional education to people throughout the country.

1996 CancerCare goes online with email and its website, cancercare.org.

The second undertaking of Cancer Care was to build a new eight bedroom house as the new home of Our House, which was completed in the spring of 2000.

2004 CancerCare turns 60, and is again celebrated with a CancerCare Week proclamation by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

2005 CancerCare is selected by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Foundation to distribute its funds for cancer patients in the Gulf Coast area affected by the devastating Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

2007 The Institute of Medicine issues a comprehensive report calling for a new standard of care for all cancer patients that includes psychosocial services as part of the regular course of their treatment.

2008 CancerCare launches a co-payment foundation to help cover the cost of health insurance co-payments for treatment for people diagnosed with certain types of cancer.

2009 CancerCare launches its Door-to-Door program with a generous grant to provide transportation assistance to people undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.

2010 CancerCare provides counseling and practical help to more than 110,000 people affected by cancer, and gives $4.2 million to more than 26,500 people to help cover transportation, child care and home care costs related to their treatment.

2013 CancerCare launches the new edition of "A Helping Hand" The Ultimate Financial Resource Guide for People with Cancer.

2014 Patricia J. Goldsmith joins CancerCare in 2014 as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the vision and direction of the organization.

Of the more than seven million dollars of fellowship awards granted, NCC is pleased to have funded a record $658,00 this year, in 2021, to sixteen new and renewed exceptional, post-doctoral scientists at a wide range of academic and scientific institutions.