Free Resources for Cancer Patients: Wigs, Makeup, Care Packages & More (2025)

Last Updated: November 2025

Facing cancer is overwhelming enough without worrying about the financial burden of wigs, makeup, and basic comfort items. As someone who went through stage 4 lymphoma treatment while parenting eight children, I know firsthand how expensive everything becomes—and how much these “small” things matter for your mental health and dignity.

This page compiles the most current free resources available to cancer patients in 2025. All programs listed are legitimate, nonprofit organizations offering assistance at no cost.

FREE WIGS FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Hair loss is one of the most visible and emotionally difficult side effects of cancer treatment. These organizations provide free wigs to patients in need:

American Cancer Society Wig Banks

  • What They Offer: Free wigs at “Gift Closets” located throughout the United States
  • Who Qualifies: Adult women experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment who meet financial need requirements
  • How to Apply: Call 1-800-227-2345 or visit your local ACS office
  • Website: cancer.org
  • Note: Many local chapters purchase quality wigs; donated items also available

EBeauty Community

  • What They Offer: Free wigs with personalized fitting and styling
  • Who Qualifies: Women undergoing cancer treatment nationwide
  • How to Apply: Request through their website’s interactive platform
  • Special Programs: Wig Exchange Program where you can donate wigs you no longer need
  • Website: ebeauty.com
  • Fun Fact: $25 donation provides one wig to a patient

The Verma Foundation

  • What They Offer: High-quality custom cap wigs (caps with real human hair attached)
  • Who Qualifies: Women and children fighting cancer
  • How to Apply: Complete online application; doctor must verify diagnosis
  • Customization: Choose both cap and hair color to match your preference
  • Website: vermafoundation.org

The Butterfly Club

  • What They Offer: Free wigs, caps, cut & style services
  • Who Qualifies: Women, teenagers, and children experiencing hair loss from cancer treatment
  • How to Apply: Complete free wig request form on their website
  • Services Included: Wig fitting, styling, and caps—all completely free
  • Website: Search “The Butterfly Club wigs”

TRS Care

  • What They Offer: Helps insured patients qualify for free medical wigs through insurance
  • Who Qualifies: Insured cancer patients in the USA
  • What’s Included: Medical wigs and post-mastectomy essentials
  • How It Works: They navigate insurance coverage for you

Cuts Against Cancer

  • What They Offer: Real human hair medical wigs
  • Who Qualifies: Anyone facing hair loss from cancer worldwide
  • How to Apply: Apply through their website
  • Special: Dedicated to those who cannot afford to purchase wigs

Friends Are By Your Side

  • What They Offer: Free wigs through a network of participating salons
  • Who Qualifies: Cancer patients
  • Locations: USA, Canada, Mexico, England, and Australia
  • Founded by: Celebrity hairstylist Martino Cartier

Hair We Share

  • What They Offer: One free wig
  • Who Qualifies: Children 18 and under with medical hair loss; adults with demonstrated financial need
  • Website: Search “Hair We Share”

FREE MAKEUP & SKINCARE

Cancer treatment wreaks havoc on your skin. These programs provide free cosmetics and skincare specifically designed for sensitive, treatment-affected skin:

Look Good Feel Better

  • What They Offer: Free 2-hour workshops teaching makeup application, skincare, and how to deal with hair loss
  • What You Get: Complimentary cosmetic kit with name-brand products in your skin tone
  • Who Qualifies: Women and teens undergoing cancer treatment
  • Formats: In-person group workshops, virtual workshops, and at-home kits
  • How to Apply: Call 1-800-395-LOOK (5665) or visit lookgoodfeelbetter.org
  • Locations: All 50 states at hospitals, cancer centers, and community settings
  • Special Programs: Spanish language workshops and teen programs available
  • Note: Must be treated at an active alliance partner hospital to receive makeup kit

La Roche-Posay Cancer Support

  • What They Offer: Free skincare product kits with dermatologist-vetted essentials
  • Who Qualifies: Patients undergoing cancer treatments
  • What’s Included: Gentle, fragrance-free products designed for delicate skin during treatment
  • How to Apply: Sign up through their Cancer Support Hub website
  • Website: lorealdermatologicalbeauty.us/oncology
  • Partnership: Also provides samples at American Cancer Society Hope Lodge locations

Hello Gorgeous

  • What They Offer: Free professional makeovers and cosmetic education
  • Who Qualifies: All women battling all types of cancer
  • What’s Included: Surprise flowers, chocolates, beauty products, wigs, and makeover
  • Format: In-person makeovers, virtual makeovers, and free online course “Restoring Your Beauty During Cancer”
  • How to Apply: Family/friends nominate you through their website
  • Website: hellogorgeous.org

Sharsheret Best Face Forward Kit

  • What They Offer: Free makeup kit addressing cosmetic side effects of treatment
  • Who Qualifies: Women with breast cancer
  • Website: Search “Sharsheret Best Face Forward”

FREE CARE PACKAGES

Sometimes you just need to know someone cares. These organizations send thoughtfully curated care packages:

Lemons of Love

  • What They Offer: Chemo Care Packages in painted yellow boxes
  • What’s Inside: Items to manage treatment side effects and brighten your day
  • Who Qualifies: Anyone diagnosed with cancer
  • How to Get One: Someone can send you a package by making a donation on the website
  • Reach: All 50 states and 19 other countries (37,000+ packages sent since 2014)
  • Website: lemonsoflove.org

Comforting Pink Sisters

  • What They Offer: Free chemo gift bags and cancer care baskets
  • Who Qualifies: All breast cancer patients
  • Mission: “In our Community, No One Fights Alone”
  • Website: comfortingpinksisters.org

A Model Patient

  • What They Offer: Free care packages
  • Who Qualifies: Breast cancer patients in active treatment in the USA
  • How to Apply: Complete online form on their website

2Live2Cure Care Kits

  • What They Offer: Free cancer patient care kits
  • What’s Inside: “Serene Being” essential oil roller ball, “Soothing Salve,” journal, canvas zipper pouch, and items from partners like Thrive Causemetics
  • Who Qualifies: Cancer patients (limit 1 kit per person)
  • Website: 2live2cure.org

Chemoccessories

  • What They Offer: Handmade jewelry gift sets
  • Who Qualifies: Cancer patients in the United States
  • Timeline: Can take up to 12 weeks to receive
  • Website: chemoccessories.org

The Gracie Foundation

  • What They Offer: Thoughtful care packages providing hope, strength, and positive energy
  • Who Qualifies: Women in the USA currently undergoing treatment for any type of cancer

American Childhood Cancer Organization

  • What They Offer: Comfort kits for newly diagnosed children and teenagers
  • What’s Inside: Collapsible duffel bag, blanket, pillowcase, playing cards
  • Purpose: Ease transition to treatment

Project Chemo Crochet

  • What They Offer: Free handmade blankets
  • Who Qualifies: Cancer patients in the USA

FREE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & GRANTS

Cancer is financially devastating. These organizations provide direct monetary grants:

Grant Programs ($200-$5,000+)

Bright Spot Network

  • Grant Amount: Up to $500 annually
  • Who Qualifies: Cancer patients in active treatment caring for at least one child age 6 and under
  • Covers: Living expenses, childcare, healthcare

Selma Schimmel Vital Grant Program (Vital Options International)

  • Grant Amount: Varies based on need
  • Who Qualifies: Those facing significant financial hardship due to cancer
  • Covers: Food, housing, transportation, other expenses

PinkAid Pink Purse Grant

  • Grant Amount: Up to $500
  • Who Qualifies: Breast cancer patients in active treatment in the USA
  • Covers: Utility bills, phone bills, cable

Patient Advocate Foundation Financial Aid Funds

  • Grant Amounts: $1,000-$2,000 depending on program
  • Programs Available:
    • Caregiver Support Fund (through American Cancer Society)
    • Mia’s Miracles Fund ($2,000 for pediatric cancer patients)
    • NOCC Treatment Fund ($1,000 for ovarian cancer patients)
  • How to Apply: Call 1-844-462-8072 or register online
  • Note: Funds allocated on first-come, first-served basis; may be fully allocated monthly

1 Upon Cancer

  • Grant Amount: Varies
  • Who Qualifies: Adults in the USA currently undergoing any type of cancer treatment
  • Covers: Medical expenses

Join the Flock Housing Grant

  • Grant Amount: Mortgage payment assistance
  • Who Qualifies: Families impacted by cancer in the USA

Netwish

  • Grant Amount: $750-$1,250
  • Purpose: Short-term financial assistance

The Feather Foundation

  • Grant Amount: $300 one-time grant
  • Who Qualifies: Parents with cancer (NY and NJ residents)
  • Process: Works with your healthcare provider

CancerCare Financial Assistance

  • What They Offer: Limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs
  • Covers: Transportation, childcare
  • Special: Co-Payment Assistance Foundation for insurance copays
  • How to Apply: Call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673)
  • Note: First-come, first-served basis

FREE LODGING & TRANSPORTATION

American Cancer Society Hope Lodge

  • What They Offer: Free lodging for patients and caregivers during treatment away from home
  • Locations: 31 locations nationwide
  • Bonus: Guests receive La Roche-Posay skincare amenity set

Healthcare Hospitality Network

  • What They Offer: Housing assistance network
  • Members: Close to 200 nonprofit organizations

Miracle Flights

  • What They Offer: Financial help for commercial flights to receive medical care
  • Who Qualifies: Seriously-ill children and adults based on financial need

FREE PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)

Many pharmaceutical companies offer free or reduced-cost medications:

  • NeedyMeds: Database of drug company assistance programs (needymeds.org)
  • PAN Foundation: Awards grants on rolling 12-month basis; $3 billion in assistance since 2004
  • RxAssist: Comprehensive database of patient assistance programs

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CANCER PATIENTS & FAMILIES

Simon College Fund

  • Scholarships for young adults affected by cancer

Special Love Scholarship Fund

  • Scholarships for children of parents with cancer

National GRACE Foundation

  • FREE college admissions and financial aid counseling for pediatric cancer patients and survivors

PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE

Cleaning for a Reason

  • What They Offer: Free house cleaning services
  • Who Qualifies: Cancer patients undergoing treatment
  • Network: Professional cleaning companies across the USA

HOW TO FIND LOCAL RESOURCES

211 Information and Referral Service

  • Call 211 or visit 211.org to find local resources in your area
  • Connects you to community services, food banks, utility assistance, and more

Cancer Care News Directory

CancerCare Helping Hand Database

TIPS FROM SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN THERE

Don’t wait to ask for help. I spent months thinking I had to handle everything myself. By the time I was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma, our car was being repossessed and we were relying on food banks. These resources exist for exactly this reason.

Apply to multiple programs. Not every program will have funding available, and some have waitlists. Cast a wide net.

Keep documentation handy. Most programs require proof of diagnosis (doctor’s note) and sometimes financial need documentation. Have these ready to go.

Ask your oncology social worker. They know local resources and can often fast-track applications or connect you with programs not widely advertised.

Insurance might cover wigs. Ask your insurance about coverage for “cranial prostheses”—many policies cover part or all of the cost with a doctor’s prescription.

Don’t be ashamed. You’ve worked hard your whole life. These programs exist because our system fails cancer patients. Using them isn’t weakness—it’s survival.