A List of Breast Cancer Resources in Northern Minnesota

October 20, 2025

Finding reliable information and support can feel overwhelming, especially when you or a loved one are confronting a breast cancer diagnosis. To help you cut through the noise, we’ve gathered a curated collection of trusted resources—from national organizations and financial‑aid programs to local support groups and practical educational tools.

Whether you’re seeking guidance on early‑detection, looking for emotional support, or exploring treatment options, these links provide clear, evidence‑based information you can rely on. Dive in and discover the help that’s right at your fingertips.

Angel Fund of Northeastern Minnesota

Website: angelfundrange.org/

Angel Fund provides financial assistance to Northeastern Minnesota residents diagnosed with cancer who are dealing with treatment. Any Northeastern Minnesota resident who is facing cancer treatment is eligible. Our funding comes from grants, fundraisers, memorials and the generosity of local groups, organizations, and private donors.

Examples of help offered include but are not limited to: gas cards, gift certificates for groceries, clothing or nutritional supplements, medical supplies, mastectomy supplies, wigs, etc.

How to get help:

If you or anyone you know is in need of this assistance, you can fill out an application (link here: https://angelfundrange.org/apply) or you can leave them a message at 218-262-9929. All requests are considered and reviewed by Angel Fund’s Board of Directors.

Cancer Legal Care

Website: https://www.cancerlegalcare.org

The team at Cancer Legal Care provide free legal care for Minnesotans affected by cancer, freeing up space and resources so that you can focus on your health.

It’s an incredible resource for individuals and families who are trying to navigate the detrimental effects of excess financial strain caused by the diagnosis of cancer. Many of the financial issues that individuals and families face are tied to legal issues– keeping one’s job, navigating Social Security disability benefits, dealing with medical debt, and insurance coverage denials. Many Minnesotans are unable to pay for a lawyer to help with these critical needs.

How to get help:

Contact the organization directly through their website here.

Care Partners

Website: https://carepartnersmn.org/

Since 1999, Care Partners has helped hundreds of individuals and families residing on the Iron Range. Healthcare costs increase yearly and Care Partners alleviates some of the financial and emotional stress that occurs when someone gets cancer. We pay expenses insurance or other programs don’t cover.

How to get help:

Request support through their online website form.

MN Angel Foundation

Website: mnangel.org

The MN Angel Foundation offers a variety of programs designed to support individuals and families who are challenged with a cancer diagnosis:

  • One-time emergency financial assistance
  • Financial planning support with a certified planner
  • Adult & Family Programs
  • Making Memories Events
  • Educational Programs
  • Camp Angel
  • Angel Packs™ are designed to support children when an adult in their life is diagnosed with cancer. Packs offer engaging activities, coping tools, and a parent guidebook to facilitate age-appropriate conversations. Each pack helps families navigate the challenges of cancer while providing reassurance and valuable support strategies. Angel Packs™ are free to cancer patients in our service area, available for purchase as a gift for a loved one, or accessible through select employers.

How to get help:

Each program has its own application process. Visit the MN Angel Foundation website to find the program that you are interested in, and then click on the “apply” button on that page.

Firefly Sisterhood

Website: https://fireflysisterhood.org

Firefly Sisterhood provides free, personalized one-to-one support for women who have been impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis. Our unique mentoring program extends the patients’ support network beyond their family and medical team—we connect them with a Peer Mentor Guide who shares a similar experience and lifestyle. Whether breast cancer has just been diagnosed, the person is in the midst of treatment, or treatment is fully completed, Firefly Sisterhood will offer guidance, support and hope.

How to get help:

Submit the online form available on their website.

The Sage Program – Cancer Screenings

Website: The Sage Program

The Sage Program helps low-income Minnesotans or those who do not have adequate insurance to access breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services (if screening tests are abnormal) and referral to treatment services.

The Sage Program has a wide network of partners that work together to reduce the burden of cancer by providing access to and promoting breast and cervical cancer screening services for Minnesota’s uninsured and underinsured population.

How to access this program:

Use the online form (linked on this page) to begin the process to schedule a free screening.

National Programs

In addition to resources that are specific to residents in Northern Minnesota, there are also many organizations that are available nation-wide that can provide support and resources to those who are facing a cancer diagnosis, including:

Looking for a way to get involved?

Whether you

 

About Amy Kemp, OTR/L, Occupation Therapy Supervisor

Amy graduated from St. Scholastica in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  She then went on to graduate again from St. Scholastica in 2020 with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree.  After graduation, she began working at the Cook Hospital and has been here for 4 years.

She enjoys having the opportunity that rural health provides to work with individuals across the lifespan.  Since starting at the Cook Hospital, Amy has become a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) and has been certified in LSVT-BIG for Parkinson’s Disease and other populations.  

In her free time, Amy enjoys the outdoors, being at the lake, reading, and spending time with her family. She is looking forward to continuing her career here at the Cook Hospital and welcomes all new patients.

 

About Carrie Rahikainen, PTA/L

Carrie is a 1992 graduate of the College of St. Scholastica where she earned her Bachelor’s  degree in Natural Science and minor in Psychology.  She continued her education at Lake Superior College where she earned her A.A.S. degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 1996. 

For the first four years after obtaining her degrees, Carrie and her husband lived and worked in Wausau, WI.  While in Wausau, she worked in various units specializing in long-term care, out-patient Orthopedics, in-patient and out-patient Psychology, specialized Dementia and Alzheimer’s units, and an Early Intervention/Pediatric Program. 

They then returned to the Iron Range, where both she and her husband were born and raised.  When returning to the area, Carrie was employed by St. Louis County Schools/Northland Special Education Cooperative.  For six years, she provided physical therapy services in various independent school districts, working with children from birth through the age of 21.

In February, 2006 she began her employment at the Cook Hospital and Rehabilitation and is a full-time employee.  Since starting her position at the Cook Hospital, she has been expanding her Physical Therapy skills by attending a variety of courses focusing on such things as Strain-Counter-strain Technique for pain management, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Exercise for the Geriatric Spine,  Manual treatment of the Lumbar Spine, and Kinesio-taping.

Carrie lives in Britt with her husband and three children, ages nine, ten, and twelve.  In her free time, she enjoys cross country skiing, reading, and supporting her children with their extra-curricular activities such as volleyball, basketball, baseball and Scouting.  As a family, they enjoy spending time on their pontoon boat, camping, hunting, and various types of fishing.

 

About Brian McCarthy, PT

Brian began working in Physical Therapy in 1984 as an enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force. After an honorable discharge in 1988 returned to Duluth, MN where he attended ST. Scholastica and eventually PT school at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse where he graduated in 1993 with honors.

He then began work as a PT at St. Mary’s “Center Therapy” in Duluth in Occupational Medicine, Chronic Pain Management, Orthopedic-Spine, and the Adult Neuro-Rehab departments. In 1996, Brian began working as a contract therapist traveling within the Northern Midwest. During this time he worked in home care, private practice, and out-patient orthopedic settings. His last assignment in 1998 lead him to Cook where he continues to work as the Director of Rehabilitation and physical therapist.

Brian’s career goals are to be well-rounded in all areas of physical therapy, but is especially interested in manual therapy techniques related to orthopedics conditions and wound care interventions. Brian is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, National Ski Patrol, and hospitals wound care team. Brian has attended, and continues to attend, yearly continuing education in the field of Physical Therapy and wound care to bring the most current and up-to-date treatment methodologies to the patients he treats.

About Stephanie Elling, PT, DPT, CIMT

Stephanie graduated from The College of St. Scholastica in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and again in 2016 with a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.

After graduation she worked at a private practice in Cloquet, MN in outpatient orthopedics for over two years. Here she gained experience in post-surgical care, manual therapy, return to sport training, and aquatic rehab. Then she transitioned into travel therapy and completed contracts across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida in skilled nursing, memory care, pediatrics, acute care at critical access hospitals, and multiple outpatient clinics treating a wide range of orthopedic and neurological conditions.

Stephanie has additional training in TMJ, headaches, sports rehab, dementia care, pediatrics, kinesiotape and manual therapy techniques. Stephanie has a passion for rural healthcare and enjoys working with patients of all ages and diagnoses.

She is excited to join the rehabilitation team at Cook Hospital and looks forward to getting to serve to Cook community and surrounding areas.