For many years Common Cares has been a cancer survivors support group. This group is facilitated by Janet Burkely who volunteers her time helping cancer survivors advocate for themselves.

Common Cares started as a local, Dallas, support group and its primary concern was the empowerment of cancer survivors through their diagnosis and treatments.

The grass roots effort to fill the gap between medical care and patient advocacy in order for survivors to have the non medical tools necessary to make the best decisions for their treatment.

Common Cares also is a support group that is 100% volunteer base that gives survivors a sense of inspiration, hope and independence, helping to normalize their lives during cancer. Initially, it began as strictly a support group for breast cancer survivors, and in the late 1990’s we recognized the common ground of survivorship for all cancer survivors regardless of the cancer itself and we opened the group to survivors of all cancers. This brought about the acceptance of men and women among the group; as well as, the start of a spouses support group.

In the late 1990’s a small group of people launched and campaigned with Janet Burkley with the idea of transforming Common Cares into a not for profit foundation. This effort took root and was spearheaded by volunteer efforts. In 2001 after considerable research, meetings, and pro bono legal help through the United Way of North Texas, Common Cares Cancer Foundation was born and established in the State of Texas.