Getting involved: Organizations & Communities
Here is a list of some organizations that advocate for issues related to cancer and amputation. I will be updating this list in the future as I come across more organizations and opportunities.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation:
https://www.alexslemonade.org/
Supports pediatric cancer research and raises awareness through fundraising events. I was able to volunteer at one of these fundraisers recently, and it was a lot of fun. Founded in the year 2000, it started as a small lemonade stand and has grown into the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the U.S, raising over over $300 million and funding over 1500 research projects at nearly 150 research institutions worldwide. These funding and research are used to both further cancer research and provide aid to family support programs like Travel for Care and SuperSibs.
Amputee Coalition:
https://amputee-coalition.org/
The Amputee Coalition supports people with limb loss and limb difference through educational materials, peer support and advocacy. The main goal is to improve the quality of life and assist those with limb loss and limb difference. Their Certified Peer Visitor program allows you to help other amputees by connecting them with the organization and by sharing your own personal experience. I went through training in 2025 to be a junior Certified Peer Visitor. Despite recent budget cuts threatening the organization’s ability to perform many of its vital services, and while the full funding freeze was avoided, it still greatly impacted the Amputee Coalition. Despite this they are still advocating and providing support for those living with limb loss and limb difference.
American Cancer Society:
https://www.cancer.org/
There are also many opportunities available through the American Cancer Society that allow for different opportunities, such as advocating for legislation designed to assist cancer patients and survivors.
Challenged Athlete Foundation:
https://www.challengedathletes.org/
The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) helps people with physical disabilities stay active by providing funding for things like running prosthetic legs, adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition costs. Their goal is to make sports and fitness more accessible for everyone.
Penta
https://pentaprosthetics.org/about-us/
Penta is a nonprofit social venture that repurposes second-hand and surplus medical equipment from the U.S. to bring high-quality, low-cost care to amputees around the world. This is a great organization to donate old prosthetics to after you no longer use them.
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