Weekly support groups are the heart of CSC. Our groups are professionally-led and are designed for those with cancer, their adult loved ones and caregivers. Support groups allow participants to form deep connections with others who can truly relate, and to benefit from their collective wisdom. Group members experience (and create!) a caring, uplifting, and supportive environment with others who truly understand what it is like to be touched by cancer.
The comfortable, homelike environment at Cancer Support Community makes sharing and mutual support easy. There are several different groups that can provide much needed emotional support to cancer patients and their families. All groups are lead by licensed therapists.
Studies have shown that there are three primary stressors common to people living with cancer: feeling alone, feeling a lack of control and feeling hopeless. Programs at Cancer Support Community are designed to address these areas of stress for people with cancer and their loved ones. All programs are offered completely free of charge.
Welcome to Wellness Meetings
Welcome to Wellness meetings are generally the first link between cancer patients, caregivers and Cancer Support Community. Welcome to Wellness meetings are held weekly and provide information about the program and an opportunity to ask questions and share stories. The meetings are informal and are open to adults fighting cancer, their family members and friends.
Group Preparation Meetings
While Welcome to Wellness Meetings is designed to introduce participants to Cancer Support Community, Group Preparation Meetings are designed to introduce participants to our weekly groups. Conducted as one-on-one meetings by members of our program staff, these meetings help participants become familiar with our group process and guidelines. In addition, participants provide us with some information about their cancer diagnosis and general emotional health.
Weekly Support Groups for Cancer Patients offer people with cancer an opportunity to share thoughts, feelings, and information. Together, people with cancer experience warmth, understanding, support and explore new ways to deal with the stress cancer often brings.
Weekly Support Groups for Caregivers offer those supporting a person with cancer the opportunity to discuss common issues. Together, friends and family can learn new ways to not only cope with their individual stress, but new ways to support their loved ones living with cancer.
Monthly Support Groups offer the opportunity for both cancer patients and loved ones to come together and share issues common to a particular diagnosis or stage of treatment. Some monthly groups offer the opportunity to combine education or stress management with emotional support.
Actual group times are not shown here because participation in these groups requires pre-registration. Call us at (937) 223-4117 or attend an orientation meeting for more information.
Our support groups complement traditional medical care. Psychosocial support is considered “the other half of cancer care”. Research shows they can reduce stress, improve quality of life and may increase the potential of long-term survival.
