Cancer can get in the way of reaching your goals in many different areas, like education, career, independent living, and relationships with friends and family. Bright IDEAS is a tool to help you more effectively cope with the stress and manage the challenges of cancer treatment and everyday living. By learning to problem solve in everyday life, you "Stop and Think" before acting, make well-reasoned choices, and then evaluate the outcome of those choices. Handling confl­icts better, making informed decisions, managing your time well, and solving personal, family, and work challenges reduces stress and helps you feel more in control.

Bright IDEAS was initially created to meet the needs of caregivers of children who were newly diagnosed with cancer. For the past 25 years, Bright IDEAS has been rigorously tested in research studies supported by the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute, with over 1200 caregivers participating. Results have been published in premiere scientific journals and show that Bright IDEAS is effective at reducing distress and empowering caregivers to better manage their child’s cancer treatment. The National Cancer Institute has recognized Bright IDEAS as an evidence-based program.

We have adapted Bright IDEAS to meet the needs of young adults newly diagnosed with cancer. Bright IDEAS is currently being tested in a clinical trial at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Moffitt Cancer Center.

We hope you find Bright IDEAS helpful in managing challenges and achieving your goals.