Programs & Services
Support Groups
Why join a support group?
A cancer diagnosis brings change to a person’s
life and to the family’s life. Immediately families
are immersed in tests and doctor visits, a
strange medical vocabulary, and uncertainty
about the future. Through diagnosis and
treatment the challenge is to accommodate a
range of emotions, to manage changes in the
body, and to make adjustment to the work
routine and home life. Even at the end of
treatment, the recovery stage presents more
questions: How can I get my strength and
energy back? What will I do with my life now?
How will I know if the cancer has come back?
What can I do to minimize my risk? Will our
family ever get back to “normal”?
A support group can be an important
complement to cancer treatment and recovery.
There is tremendous value in being able to
share experiences with others who
understand. Even when family and friends are
thoroughly supportive, being with others who
speak the same language can offer a different
learning opportunity as well as the chance to
offer help to others.
“Many studies have shown that support groups
can help people with cancer feel less
depressed and anxious and more hopeful.
Although support groups are not for everyone,
people who benefit from support groups may
find themselves better able to handle their
symptoms and fears.”
..'from People Living with Cancer'
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Research has suggested that The Wellness
Community support groups empower people to:
- Develop a new attitude towards the illness
- Make changes in their lives that they
think are important
- Partner with their physician
- Access resources
- Make active choices in their recovery
What are the characteristics of a Wellness
Community support group?
- People with any cancer diagnosis can
join a group at any time.
- Some people decide to join a group at
the time of diagnosis or after treatment
begins;
- others will join when treatment is finished,
and some will find a support group if their
cancer recurs.
- People with cancer meet separately from
family and support persons who have
their own group.
All groups are facilitated by a specially trained,
licensed therapist.
- Groups are limited in size to 12 -14
people.
- Groups are committed - and that means
that you will meet each week at the same
- time with the same basic group of people
who can become like an extended family.
- Group members can talk not only about
cancer treatment issues, but also about
- emotional concerns, life changes and
living with uncertainty.
- Information shared in all groups is
confidential.
- All groups are free of charge.
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Groups at The Wellness Community
The Wellness Community believes that
participation in a support group can be a
meaningful part of the physical, emotional, and
spiritual recovery from cancer, regardless of
the stage or extent of illness, or whether you
are a patient or a caregiver. The Patient Active
Concept includes actions, attitudes, and
behaviors that empower people with cancer to
become partners with their health care team in
making treatment decisions, and to be in
charge of how they will live with cancer and
hopefully recover.
The Wellness Community support groups
emphasize this learning and provide a safe
place of connection where people with cancer
and their loved ones feel less alone. As people
participate in learning and sharing, they also
gather strength for their journey through
cancer, affirming life, and sustaining hope.
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How do I join a Wellness Community Support
Group?
- Attend a Newcomer Orientation, and
learn about support groups. (Check
calendar for meetings.)
- Decide what day and time will be best for
you and when you can begin.
- After Newcomer Orientation, TWC Staff
will contact you to decide on a starting
date for joining group and to arrange a
time for an initial interview before your
first group. (You will also have an
application form to complete.)
- Come to the group at least three times to
make the best decision about how the
group works for you.
For more than 20 years in communities all
across the county, The Wellness Community
has helped people affected by cancer enhance
their health and well being, and find hope.
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