Types of Mesothelioma Support
Available mesothelioma support includes emotional support, practical assistance like help finding the right doctors, and financial support for expenses such as treatment.
Financial Mesothelioma Support
A mesothelioma diagnosis impacts more than your emotions — it upsets your entire life.
Suddenly, you and your family are thrust into a world of doctor’s appointments, tests, and mesothelioma treatment, potentially resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in unexpected costs. Financial support for mesothelioma exists to lift some of the burden weighing on you and your loved ones.
If you are concerned about treatment costs, reach out to your doctor, medical social worker, or your hospital’s business office to learn more about your options for financial mesothelioma support.
A few avenues to help you access financial support for mesothelioma are listed below.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
At cancer.org, you can discover your eligibility for the financial support that ACS offers, such as free or subsidized medical equipment programs, insurance explanations, and budgeting guidance.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation)
You can speak to a mesothelioma expert on staff at the Meso Foundation who can provide mesothelioma support on a range of financial issues.
Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MesoRFA)
MesoRFA provides a list of resources for financial assistance for mesothelioma cancer patients.
National Cancer Information Center (NCIC)
You can call the NCIC’s 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 to receive information about programs in your area to help with expenses not covered by insurance.
Mesothelioma Support for Travel
Mesothelioma is a rare and hard-to-treat cancer, so for the best results, you should seek treatment from an experienced mesothelioma doctor. However, it can be overwhelming to find such doctors and even more difficult to choose one.
Getting treated by a specialist also means you may have to travel to a top mesothelioma cancer center where mesothelioma doctors work and can provide you with the best support for your condition.
Traveling to and from cancer centers or paying for accommodation for the length of your treatment can be very expensive. Luckily, some organizations offer travel support to mesothelioma victims and their families.
Transportation support for mesothelioma includes:
- Meso Foundation support: The Meso Foundation offers grants for those traveling to see mesothelioma experts out of their area or for those enrolled in clinical trials.
- ACS support: The ACS provides transportation to and from treatment and accommodation and temporary housing arrangements through discounted hotel rooms and Hope Lodges throughout the country.
- Air Charity Network: This charitable organization provides air transportation to people in need of treatment at specialized facilities.
- Angel Wheels To Healing: Angel Wheels provides non-emergency long-distance ground transportation to financially disadvantaged patients.
- Mesothelioma cancer centers: Most cancer centers offer their own lodging accommodations or partner with local hotels to offer discounted rooms for patients receiving cancer treatment.
An inability to travel should never stop you from getting the treatment you need. These programs exist to make sure travel doesn’t become too much of a burden for you or your family.

Emotional Mesothelioma Support
Fighting mesothelioma takes a huge emotional toll, often requiring more emotional support than your family and friends can give. In addition, the symptoms of mesothelioma can cause great pain and discomfort, negatively impacting your quality of life.
Thankfully, many programs and groups offer mesothelioma support services for mental health emotional needs.
Emotional support for mesothelioma includes:
- Support from friends and family
- Palliative and end-of-life care options provided by the ACS
- Mesothelioma support groups
- Cancer support groups
Mesothelioma is a rare and particularly aggressive cancer. While you may share many experiences with other cancer victims, your experience may also be different in many important ways.
Mesothelioma-specific support groups and awareness efforts are good places to find the specific support you may need.
Community Support
While receiving emotional support from individuals who understand what you’re going through is essential, mesothelioma support from the wider community can also help by raising awareness, funding treatment efforts, and helping you and other mesothelioma victims feel seen.
Community support for mesothelioma includes:
- Mesothelioma awareness efforts
- Fundraisers, such as races or concerts
- Local hospital cancer awareness events

In particular, a few days exist in the United States with special relevance to mesothelioma victims and their loved ones.
National Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Since 2004, September 26th has been the annual commemoration of a disease that kills nearly 3,000 people each year in the U.S. The Meso Foundation steps up its efforts of awareness and fundraising on this fall day, flooding social media and promoting third-party fundraising events all across the country.
Mesothelioma affects thousands every day, but supporters of its victims designate one day a year to honor these brave people and raise awareness for a disease few people know about.
National Asbestos Awareness Week
April 1st through the 7th is devoted to asbestos awareness and its dangers. In 2013, the U.S. Senate designated the first week in April Asbestos Awareness Week in order to draw attention to the disastrous effects of asbestos exposure on the lives of Americans throughout the decades and the country.
International Symposium on Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
The International Symposium on Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is a two-day conference created by the Meso Foundation for mesothelioma patients, their loved ones, and those who have lost someone to mesothelioma.
During the conference, you can learn about the latest treatment options, speak directly with top mesothelioma experts, and connect with others dealing with the devastating effects of mesothelioma.