Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Table of Contents

Since its founding in 1947, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts has been committed to providing adults and children with cancer with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow's cures through cutting-edge research. Read about our history, our breakthroughs, and the resources that help us support the health of our neighborhoods and communities.

Location and Contact

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
450 Brookline Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
T: (866) 408-DFCI (3324)
Website: www.dana-farber.org 
Campus Map

Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
300 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
T: (617) 632-5508
Website: www.danafarberbostonchildrens.org/
Campus Map

Helpful Phone Numbers

  • Appointments for New Patients: (877) 442-3324
  • Reach a Patient: (617) 632-3417
  • Visiting Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Request Medical Records: (617) 632-3225
  • Billing Questions: (617) 632-3930

Cancers Treated

Adult

Pediatric

Directions

Driving

For recorded directions to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, please call (617) 632-3400. If you are en route and need help finding your way, please call our Security Department at (617) 632-3131.

Driving Directions

Print Directions Open in Google Maps

Obtained and printed via julesoflife.org

Flying

Logan International Airport

Logan International Airport is an international airport located in Boston. It is located 7.5 miles (18 minutes by car) from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

Location & Contact

1 Harborside Dr.
Boston, MA 02128
T: (800) 235-6426

Directions to Dana-Farber from Logan Airport

1. Follow signs to Boston via Route 1A South and the Sumner Tunnel. You will need to pay a toll before entering the Sumner Tunnel
2. After the toll booth, drive for 1.1 miles, bearing right and following signs for Storrow Drive
3. Take Exit 26 (on the right) for Storrow Drive
4. Keep right at the fork, following signs for Storrow Drive/Route 28 South
5. Take slight left and follow Storrow Drive/Route 28 South for 1.7 miles
6. Exit on the left for Kenmore Square/Fenway Route 1S, staying in the far left lane as you drive up the ramp
7. At first light, bear right on Boylston Street (outbound) and continue straight
8. At the fourth set of lights, bear slight left onto Brookline Avenue 
9. At fifth light, turn left onto Jimmy Fund Way
10. The entrance to the parking garage is on the right

Traffic Information

For up-to-the-minute traffic information, please call SmarTraveler at (617) 374-1234 or go to www.boston.com/traffic/. 

Getting Around Boston

Dana-Farber Concierge Services

Located on the first floor of the Yawkey Center in the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Center for Patients and Families, Dana-Farber's Concierge Services provides a central location where patients can obtain information about resources at Dana-Farber and in the Boston area.

Staffed by expert volunteers and under the direction of Deborah Toffler, MSW, LCSW, Concierge Services provides:
  • Information about Dana-Farber programs, services, and resources
  • Printed maps and new patient handbooks
  • Tips about Boston-area attractions, public transportation, restaurants, and community resources
  • Help with processing applications for the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge 
  • Information on, and help in making, short-term housing accommodations
  • iPad rental

Concierge Services is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Whenever you have a question about Dana-Farber, stop by the Shapiro Center or call Concierge Services at (617) 632-3750.

Public Transportation

Dana-Farber is easily accessible by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA), which offers buses and a train/subway system known as the "T."

MBTA Train/Subway Lines

  • Green Line (Riverside "D" Branch): Get off at the Longwood stop, walk to the left (up a hill), on Chapel Street. Turn left on Longwood Avenue. At second light, turn right on Brookline Avenue to find Dana-Farber (located at 450 Brookline Ave.).
  • Green Line (Heath Street "E" Branch): Get off at the Longwood Medical Area stop. Walk west on Longwood Avenue, passing Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital. Turn left on Brookline Avenue and proceed to Dana-Farber, on your left.
  • Orange Line (Ruggles Station): Take the Orange Line to Ruggles Station, then board one of the MBTA buses listed below.

Commuter Rail

Commuter rail stops closest to Dana-Farber are: Back Bay, North Station, Ruggles, South Station, and Yawkey. From these stops, you can take an MBTA subway or bus to Dana-Farber.

MBTA Bus

For more details about the MBTA, including information about schedules, fares and passes, call (617) 222-3200 or (800) 392-6100, or visit www.mbta.com. People with hearing problems can call the TTY line at (617) 222-5146.

Parking

Parking Information

Where to Park or Drop off Patients

Whether you self-park, valet park, or need to drop off a patient, you should enter the parking garage under Dana-Farber's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. You can enter the garage from Jimmy Fund Way. 

You are welcome to park your own car or use valet parking by leaving your car and keys with a parking attendant. There is no extra charge for valet parking. If you are only dropping someone off and then leaving, you will not need to pay for parking.

Hours of Operation

Dana-Farber's parking garage is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and during clinic hours on weekends and holidays.

Patient Parking Rate

The parking barcode sticker on your patient ID card lets you get the discounted patient parking rate. If you don't already have a barcode sticker, visit one of these locations:

  • Central Registration on the second floor of Dana-Farber's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care.
  • The Jimmy Fund Clinic on the fifth floor of the Yawkey Center. This clinic is for pediatric patients and their family members.

Entering the Parking Garage

Use your patient ID card (with barcode sticker) whenever you enter the Dana-Farber garage:
  1. As you enter the garage, at the bottom of the ramp, swipe your patient ID card (with barcode sticker) in the barcode reader.
  2. The machine will automatically issue a ticket with the patient rate. Please keep this ticket with you. You will need it when you pay for parking.

Patient Rates

Dana-Farber parking garage rates for patients are:
  • Up to 1 hour = complimentary
  • 1 to 1.5 hours = $7
  • 1.5 to 2 hours = $8
  • 2 to 3 hours = $10
  • 3 to 24 hours = $12

After you park, please take your garage ticket with you. You will need it when you pay for parking. If you self-park, please follow patient parking signs to access Yawkey Center parking levels and elevators.

*If you have financial hardship, please talk with your care coordinator about parking fees.

Paying for Parking and Getting Your Car

When you are ready to leave, you can pay for parking at these locations:
  • Self-pay parking kiosks on floors 1, 2, and P2 in the Yawkey Center (kiosks are located near the parking elevators, accepting credit/debit cards only)
  • Self-pay parking kiosk in the Jimmy Fund Clinic (on the third floor of the Dana building, accepting credit/debit cards only)
  • Cashier in the waiting area on floor P1 in the Yawkey Center. The cashier accepts payment via cash, check, credit card, or debit card

Be sure to keep your paid ticket. You will need to show it to an attendant when you exit the garage.

If you use valet parking and pay at the self-pay parking kiosks on floors 1 or 2 in the Yawkey Center, remember to swipe your valet claim ticket at the Valet Ticket Reader on these floors. This will let valet staff know that you are ready to pick up your vehicle.

Need Help Getting into the Building?

If you need a wheelchair or other help getting into the building, parking attendants and security officers are available to help during clinic hours. If you have general questions about resources for people with disabilities or need an accommodation, call an ADA coordinator at Dana-Farber at (617) 582-7100. If you have a hearing impairment, use the Massachusetts TDD/TTY relay line at (800 439-0183.

Have an Appointment at a Hospital Near Dana-Farber?

Space in the Dana-Farber garage is limited. When you have an appointment at Brigham and Women's Hospital or Boston Children's Hospital, please park there.

Oversized Vehicles

The Dana-Farber parking garage can accommodate most cars, trucks, and vans. The height limit to enter the garage is 8 feet 2 inches. If you have an oversized vehicle, please talk with the parking attendant near the parking entrance on Jimmy Fund Way.

Car Problems

Parking staff can help with flat tires, dead batteries, and towing. Security can help you get a taxi voucher to nearby locations.

Questions?

If you have questions about parking at Dana-Farber, please call our General Services department during business hours at (617) 632-3134. Parking staff and volunteers are also available to answer your questions. Find them on level P1 of the parking garage and on the first floor of Dana-Farber's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care.

Lodging

Dana-Farber can help you with accomodations.  Contact Dana-Farber's Shapiro Center for Patients and Families: (617) 632-3750 or email DFCIConciergeServices@dfci.harvard.edu if you have questions.

Lodging Options

Boston Ronald McDonald House

Since 1979 the Boston Ronald McDonald House has served as a "home-away-from-home" for children with cancer and their families.

Location & Contact
229 Kent Street
Brookline, MA  02446
T:  (617) 734-3333

AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center - Boston

This state-of-the-art facility serves as a "home away from home" for patients traveling more than 40 miles to their outpatient treatments. There is no charge to stay at Hope Lodge, for either the patient or his or her caregivers.

Location & Contact
125 South Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA  02130
T:  (617) 396-5511

Hospitality Homes 

Hospitality Homes is a nonprofit organization that provides short-term housing in volunteer host homes for families and friends of patients receiving medical care in the Boston area. Our services are free of charge and are made possible by the generosity of our volunteer hosts and supporters. Volunteers open up their homes to patients and families. $25 suggested donation per night.

Location & Contact
P.O. Box 15265
Boston, MA  02215
T:  (888) 595-4678

The Inn at Longwood Medical

The Inn at Longwood Medical is an ideally located Longwood Medical hotel near Boston Children's Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical.

Location & Contact

342 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
T: (617) 731-4700 / (800) 468-2378 (Reservations)
F: (617) 731-4870
E: info@innatlongwood.com

Residence Inn Boston Back Bay/Fenway

Residence Inn Boston Back Bay Fenway Hotel offers some of the best Boston area accommodations. Our 175 deluxe suites have many of the comforts of home.

Location & Contact

125 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA  02215
T:  (617) 236-8787

Courtyard Boston Brookline

Conveniently located near Fenway Park, Courtyard Boston Brookline offers an on-site restaurant and spacious, modern rooms with free Wi-Fi.

Location & Contact

40 Webster Street
Coolidge Corner 
Brookline, MA  02446
T:  (617) 734-1393

Hotel Commonwealth

Hotel Commonwealth is a premier luxury Boston hotel and only steps from historic Fenway Park and Kenmore Square.

Location & Contact
500 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA  02215
T:  (617) 933-5000 / (866) 784-4000 (Reservations)

Your First Appointment

Request an Appointment or Second Opinion

Dana-Farber, one of the world's premier cancer centers, is committed to providing total care, meeting both your physical and psychosocial needs. You can either make an appointment to consult with one of our teams of care providers by phone, or request an appointment using our online form.

To make an appointment by phone, call (877) 442-3324. For pediatric patients, please call (888) PEDI-ONC (or 733-4662).

A New Patient Coordinator will contact you by phone within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.


For referring physicians: To refer a patient online, please fill out and submit the Patient Referral Form. A New Patient Coordinator will contact you phone within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. 

Insurance

We know how difficult a cancer diagnosis can be, and we are committed to helping you get the care you need. Dana-Farber and our affiliated physicians are contracted with an extensive list of local and national health insurances and participate in their network of providers. Even if your plan is listed below, it is important to learn how your benefits will apply at Dana-Farber.
 
Many programs require referrals and authorizations for specific services and some may require patients to pay for a portion of the care. We encourage you to contact your health plan to better understand these details.

Accepted Insurance  Plans

A list of accepted insurance plans is available on Dana-Farber's website. This list is not specific to individual product offerings and is subject to change.

If you have a Medicaid or Medicare Managed Care product (HMO), contact your health plan.
If your plan is not listed or if you are unsure whether your health insurance is going to be accepted, contact your insurance company directly.

Other Partnering Providers

A portion of your care may be provided by one of our clinical partners, which is specific to your Dana-Farber location. In Boston, Dana-Farber is very closely aligned with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital. We also provide adult services at several satellite locations. Each provider will work with you in understanding your health insurance coverage for their services.

Understanding Your Insurance Policy

Each insurance policy is different; contact your insurance company for the specifics of your policy (the phone number is usually on your insurance card). They should be able to tell you about in-network and out-of-network coverage for care at Dana-Farber, as well as what your financial responsibility will be if you become a patient here.

Some insurance companies require referrals and other approvals from your PCP or health plan before you can receive treatments. The level of coverage for exams and procedures depends on your specific health plan, so it is important to read and understand your policy.

Since patients are fully responsible for all bills related to treatment, it is important for you to know the details of your insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company

Use these questions as a guide when you talk to your insurance company about your coverage options. Be sure to note the name of the person you spoke with and the date; this will be important to refer back to in case you have any questions in the future.
  • What type of insurance plan (HMO, POS, PPO) do I have? What does this mean in terms of where I receive my care and if I will have out-of-pocket expenses?
  • Is Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in my network? If so, does my insurance plan cover physician costs as well as inpatient and outpatient hospital services? What, if any, are my out-of-pocket expenses, including co-payments?
  • If Dana-Farber is not in my network, and I go out of network, what percentage of the bill can I expect to be responsible for?
  • Does my policy have an out-of-pocket maximum? If so, how will this work?
  • Before I see a doctor at Dana-Farber, do I need a referral from my primary care physician and/or will I need authorization from my insurance carrier?
  • Will I be covered for any testing, pathology or radiology charges that may be incurred as part of my initial consultation with a Dana-Farber doctor?
  • Does my insurance plan offer any additional coverage -- for example, traveling and lodging benefits for transplant -- through special networks or programs?

How We Help

Our Financial Counselors are ready to guide you every step of the way as you consider Dana-Farber. Whether you have questions about coverage, payment plans or Medicaid applications, a financial counselor can help you sort through the details and steps needed to make your financial arrangements go smoothly. Please call (617) 632-3455 (option 1) to speak to a financial counselor.

In addition, our Customer Service representatives are available at (617) 632-3795 or (866) 408-4669 to answer any questions you have about your bills and/or statements.

Services and Amenities

 

Patient and Family Support

Nutrition Services

Our nutritionists are registered dietitians who can assist you in planning an optimal diet during any stage of your cancer journey, cope with any side effects you may experience, and answer your questions about the latest findings on cancer and nutrition.

Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies

Integrative therapies, also known as complementary therapies, range from acupuncture and massage to nutritional guidance and music therapy. Patients treated at the Zakim Center credit its services with easing nausea, improving circulation, and reducing pain, stress, and anxiety associated with cancer treatment.

Back to School Program

Many children with cancer receive treatment in the outpatient setting, which allows them to stay in school and continue to develop intellectually and socially. However, returning to school can be an emotional experience; our Back to School Program is designed to ease your child's transition back to the classroom.

Concierge Services

Concierge Services is your one-stop place to learn about Dana-Farber programs, services and resources, as well as information on getting around Boston, finding lodging or restaurants, and activities in the area.

Creative Arts Program

The Creative Arts program provides patients, family members and caregivers with a variety of options to support well-being during cancer treatment. From dance and drama to music and writing, the program offers a range of creative outlets to suit every interest.

Disability Services/Access

Dana-Farber and Children's Hospital, including parking facilities, are fully accessible to people with disabilities. There are wheelchairs at the main entrance, and security staff can provide personal assistance. We also have many educational materials available in large print and audiotape formats.

Ethics Consultation Service

The Ethics Consultation Service is available for patients and families who may be facing difficult decisions and choices regarding care. Our goal is to bring together patients, families and health care providers to talk about ethical concerns and help everyone involved arrive at a resolution that is right for all.

Exercise Classes and Consults

Studies show exercise can help both during and after cancer treatment, strengthening the body, improving mood, and reducing fatigue. Learn about Dana-Farber's exercise classes and consultation program for cancer patients and survivors.

For Caregivers

Find practical tips and suggestions for individuals caring for a family member or friend with cancer, including creating a caregiving plan, finding community resources, and looking after your own well-being.

Friends Place

Friends' Place provides personal consultations to help cancer patients of all ages cope with changes in physical appearance that result from cancer treatment. Our experienced, compassionate team provides fittings for compression garments or breast prostheses, helps with wigs and other head coverings, and offers make-up and skincare advice.

Gift Shop

The Friends' Corner Gift Shop, located on the first floor of the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care, offers a wide selection of unique gifts and everyday items for patients, families and staff.

Insurance and Financial Assistance

Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center offers several services to help you manage the financial side of you child's cancer treatment. From creating bill payment schedules and estate planning advice to debt management and resource assistance for patients in need, our team is here for you.

Interpreters

Dana-Farber provides interpreting services for patients whose first language is not English. Interpreters may be requested for any activity, including registration, booking appointments, attending treatments and exams, support groups, and meetings with doctors and other members of your health care team.

Just for Teens Program

Just for Teens provides programs and activities for teens and young adults with cancer at the Jimmy Fund Clinic and Children's Hospital Boston. We offer activities and events both inside and out of the hospital so that you have creative ways to pass the time and can meet other teens who are going through similar experiences.

Nutrition Services

Our nutritionists are registered dietitians who can assist you in planning an optimal diet during any stage of your cancer journey, cope with any side effects you may experience, and answer your questions about the latest findings on cancer and nutrition.

Patient and Family Resource Centers

The Eleanor and Maxwell Blum Patient and Family Resource Center and its satellite resource rooms are staffed by health care professionals and provide computer stations, books, brochures, videos, and CDs to help you find information and support on a variety of issues about cancer treatment and care.

Patient Websites

Patients websites help friends and family members stay up-to-date on their loved ones' condition and write messages of support and encouragement.

The Pediatric Resource Programs provides assistance to eligible families whose children are currently receiving treatment at Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center. Click Here for more information about the Pediatric Resource Program.

Pharmacy

The Dana-Farber pharmacy fills prescriptions for all pediatric and adult patients. Our pharmacists are an extension of the patient care team and work closely with your physicians to provide seamless, convenient, safe care.

Recreational Resources

More than 1,200 Dana-Farber patients and their families have enjoyed free trips to baseball games, theater shows, museums, and other attractions this year through the Recreational Resources program.

School Liaison Program

The School Liaison Program is for pediatric patients who are diagnosed with or have completed a treatment that involves the central nervous system. We provide consultation about the cognitive late effects of treatment to help parents understand and advocate for their child's learning needs.

Spiritual Care

Through all stages of cancer treatment and survivorship, our Spiritual Care staff is available 24 hours a day to provide emotional and spiritual support for adults and pediatric patients and family members.

Why choose us?

Since its founding in 1947, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts has been committed to providing adults and children with cancer with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow's cures through cutting-edge research. Read about our history, our breakthroughs, and the resources that help us support the health of our neighborhoods and communities.

Mission

The mission of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is to provide expert, compassionate care to children and adults with cancer while advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of cancer and related diseases. As an affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute, the Institute also provides training for new generations of physicians and scientists, designs programs that promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations, and disseminates innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries to our target community across the United States and throughout the world.

Vision

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's ultimate goal is the eradication of cancer, AIDS, and related diseases and the fear that they engender.

Core Values

  • Impact: Above all else, we make a difference by relieving the burden of disease now and for the future through our research, clinical care, education, outreach and advocacy.
  • Excellence: We pursue excellence relentlessly and with integrity in all that we do, adhering always to the highest standards of conduct.
  • Compassion and Respect: For those in our care and for one another.
  • Discovery: We foster the spirit of inquiry, promoting collaboration and innovation across traditional boundaries while celebrating individual creativity.

Pediatric Care

Top-rated Care for Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders

Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center offers the combined expertise of both a world class cancer center and an internationally renowned children's hospital. Neighboring institutes connected by pedestrian bridges, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital work together to offer seamless, integrated care for children with all types of cancer and blood disorders - including the rarest and most complex cases. Through our joint partnership, Dana-Farber/Boston Children's offers more specialists, more treatment options, and more clinical trials than any other pediatric center treating cancer and blood disorders in the world.

Dana-Farber/Boston Children's is ranked the #1 pediatric cancer center by U.S. News & World Report - and the survival rates of our patients meet or exceed published national average standards for all types of pediatric cancer, even for the most challenging cases.

Need Help?

Call or email our Patient Advocate, Mary Lou Robinson, at (315) 323-4319 or lourog61@yahoo.com if you need help with anything at all.