R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation

The R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation was a U.S. cancer patient-support organization whose narrow goal was limited to projects that would help people diagnosed with cancer have the best chance of beating it as easily as possible. It operated a free Cancer Hotline (800-433-0464), founded in 1980, staffed by volunteers who had had cancer, matching newly diagnosed patients with individuals who had recovered from the same type of cancer. It also distributed three free books by Richard and Annette Bloch: Fighting Cancer, CANCER…there's hope, and Guide for Cancer Supporters. All services were free and cash contributions were never solicited. The foundation was dissolved on December 31, 2017; its legacy site is supported by the Richard & Annette Bloch Family Foundation.

In 1978, Richard Bloch, co-founder and honorary chairman of the board of H & R Block, Inc., was diagnosed with "terminal" lung cancer. With the help of his wife, Annette, doctors who said he could beat the cancer, and his own determination, Bloch waged a bitter two-year war on the disease, and his fight and recovery were so dramatic that Bloch and his wife devoted their lives to helping others stricken with cancer. The Cancer Hotline was founded in 1980 as a group of individuals who had had cancer, available to talk to newly diagnosed cancer patients promptly after their diagnosis. The R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation continued its mission under Annette's leadership after Dick passed away in July 2004 of heart failure. The foundation was dissolved on December 31, 2017, and its legacy site is supported by the Richard & Annette Bloch Family Foundation.

A patient-support foundation whose narrow goal was limited to projects that would help people diagnosed with cancer have the best chance of beating it as easily as possible; all services free, with cash contributions never solicited.

• Cancer Hotline (800-433-0464)

  A totally free service operated by volunteers who have had cancer, matching newly diagnosed patients with individuals who have recovered from the same type of cancer.

• Fighting Cancer

  A step-by-step guide for cancer patients to help themselves fight the disease, with a foreword by Dr. Vincent DeVita, Jr., former director of the National Cancer Institute.

• CANCER…there's hope

  The story of Richard and Annette's fight against his "terminal" lung cancer, written to show others what they can do to battle the disease.

• Guide for Cancer Supporters

  Shows friends or relatives what they can do to truly help a cancer patient, divided between the primary supporter and a casual acquaintance.

1. 1Richard & Annette Bloch Family Foundation – Successor to the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundationblochcancer.org
2. 2Bloch Cancer Foundation – Richard & Annette Bloch Family Foundationblochcancer.org
3. 3Free Books – Richard & Annette Bloch Family Foundationblochcancer.org
4. 4Cancer Hotline – Richard & Annette Bloch Family Foundationblochcancer.org