Questions, answered.

Young adults roughly 18 to 30 who are facing cancer (any kind, during treatment or in the years after), along with the families who love them. This age group often falls between pediatric programs and the rooms full of older patients, and that gap is exactly where we work. We’re US-based and national, and most of our support happens remotely, so where you live doesn’t decide whether we can walk beside you.

Reach out anyway. The range is a focus, not a wall. If you’re 17 or 34 and what we do sounds like what you need, send a message and we’ll figure out the right way to help.

Yes, and it always will be. Everything we offer is free to the people we serve. We never bill patients, survivors, or families for anything. We’re a young foundation, funded right now by a small circle of early supporters (and our own pockets) as we grow.

Right now, two things are up and running: a matched companion who checks in and listens, and practical help navigating doctors, school, and work. We’re actively building the rest of the vision: connection and mental-health referrals for the after, and dedicated support for parents and siblings. We’ll grow into it as fast as we responsibly can. You can read more on the getting support page.

We’re not doctors, so we don’t give medical or clinical advice, diagnoses, or treatment decisions; those stay between you and your care team. We’re not a therapy service or a crisis line either, though we’ll gladly point you to mental-health professionals. Think of us as a steady human beside you, not a replacement for your medical or mental-health care.

Therapy is clinical care from a licensed professional. Support groups bring many people together at a set time around shared experience. Both are valuable, and we often point people to both. What we offer is different: one consistent person who knows your story, so you never have to start from the beginning with a room of new faces, and who shows up on your schedule, not a meeting calendar. Think of it as another layer of support that works alongside the others, not instead of them.

Please don’t wait on us for emergencies. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. If you’re struggling with your mental health or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time. It’s free and confidential. We’re here for the longer road, but those lines are there for right now.

No. We support people during treatment and long after it ends. If you’re a survivor trying to find your footing again, you’re exactly who the “after” part of our work is for.

A real person who shows up, often a survivor who has been where you are and gets it. We’re early, so right now our founder, Frankie (a survivor himself), is personally involved in every match, pairing you thoughtfully with someone who fits where you’re at. It should feel like a person, not a program.

Small, steady things that add up. A text before the scan you’re dreading. A call when the week gets heavy. Someone to think out loud with about school, work, or how to tell your friends. And because it’s the same person every time, you never have to catch them up or tell your story over again. There’s no script and no schedule imposed on you; it takes the shape you need.

Yes. Your conversations are confidential, and we’ll never share your story without your permission.

They’re absolutely part of who we’re here for. Parents, siblings, and the people closest to you are carrying this too. Dedicated family support is something we’re actively building; until it’s fully in place, reach out and we’ll do what we can to help right now.

Reach out and tell us a little about your situation. There’s no long form or qualification process, just a first message. Email info@katherinepalenofoundation.org or send us a DM on Instagram or TikTok, and Frankie usually gets back to you within a few days. See what happens next on the getting support page.

The heart of this is survivors who want to support someone in treatment, usually a few hours a week at most. You don’t have to be a survivor to help, though. Every companion goes through training and screening before being matched. See how it works on the volunteer page.

Not directly yet; financial grants aren’t something we offer today. But if costs are weighing on you, say so when you reach out. Your companion can help you get organized, figure out what assistance you may qualify for, and work through the applications with you. Our guides cover the paperwork side too. And once our charity registration is complete, we’re building benefits that pay businesses directly for specific things, like a styling session, a course certificate, or interview travel, always at no cost to you.

Our 501(c)(3) status is pending, so we’re not accepting donations just yet, and nothing on this site is a solicitation for donations. If you’d like to be told the moment giving opens, leave your name on our giving page. And a note worth keeping: until then, no one will ask you for money on our behalf. Anyone requesting donations in our name is not authorized by the foundation; if you see it happen, please tell us at info@katherinepalenofoundation.org.