Support Group Information

If you have cancer, or are taking care of someone who does, you are facing challenges that may leave you feeling overwhelmed, frightened and alone. A support group can help. Support groups provide a place for cancer patients, family members and caregivers to discuss their feelings, share information and talk about coping with cancer.

All support groups at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) are free, and all groups are facilitated by SCCA staff. Groups are open only to SCCA patients and their family members and caregivers.

The Social Work Department is in Room G6-102 on the sixth floor of SCCA. Stop by or call (206) 288-1076. The department provides emotional and practical support throughout the treatment and recovery process. This includes counseling, steering patients and their families to community resources and assistance with applying for various benefits, including health insurance and social security benefits.

Brain Tumor Support Group SCCA and University of Washington Medical have joined forces for the Brain Tumor Support Group, which will be facilitated by the Pastoral Care Department at SCCA. Regular monthly meetings are currently being scheduled at SCCA. For people with a history of a brain tumor and their family members/caregivers. Quarterly educational events are also being planned. For questions regarding the Brain Tumor Support Group ongoing meetings, call Stephen King at (206) 288-1099.

Patient and Family/Caregiver Support Group This group for both patients and their family members and caregivers meets in the Sanctuary every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The group is facilitated by a social worker and a transplant chaplains.

Support for Spouses and Partners of Prostate, Testicular, or Bladder Cancer patients Dr. Sylvie Aubin, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, leads a support group for the spouses and significant others of men diagnosed with prostate, testicular or bladder cancer. This group meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 1-2pm on the 3rd floor of the SCCA, Room G3-100. More >

Long Term Follow-Up Support Group This support group for patients who have finished cancer treatment meets in Room G1-021, first floor of SCCA, every Thursday from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. The group is facilitated by a social worker and nurses.

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group This group meets once every other month on a weeknight from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Team Survivor Northwest Office, which is at 200 NE Pacific Street, Suite #101, Seattle. For more information, contact the group facilitators, Ksenia Koon at (206) 667-7282, or kpeters@fhcrc.org or Kris Coppin at (253) 863-2172, coppikr@goodsamhealth.org.

For additional information about support groups, please call a social worker at (206) 288-1430 or socialw@seattlecca.org, or a chaplain at (206) 288-1099 or pastoral@seattlecca.org.

Additional Social Services/Support Groups Inside SCCA Parent Organizations

Seattle Children's Resource Line Call for free, confidential answers to your questions about children's and teenagers' health issues. The 24-hour service is staffed by Seattle Children's nurses. Call (206) 526-2500.

Columbia Legal Services (206) 464-5933. Legal services. Call for screening.

Crisis Clinic (206) 461-3222 (voice and TDD). 24-hour telephone support for people who are in crisis, and referrals to community resources.

Family Resource Center This center is a place for parents to relax, read and learn. The center is staffed daily and offers information on a variety of children's health issues, parenting, nutrition and community resources. Other services include computer workstations, seated massage and a chapel. Call (206) 526-2201 to contact the resource center, or for more information about hours and services, call (206) 526-2500 and select option 3.

Additional Social Services/Support Groups Outside SCCA

Crisis Clinic The Crisis Clinic offers 24-hour telephone support for people who are in crisis, as well as referrals to community resources. Call (206) 461-3222 (voice and TDD).

Cancer Lifeline Support Groups In Seattle, Cancer Lifeline’s Support Groups work to meet the needs of patients, survivors, caregivers, family and friends. View list of support groups at the bottom of this page (PDF).

Young Survival Breast Cancer Coalition Support Group Support for women diagnosed under age 40. Polly Halpern - Regional Coordinator pollyhalpern@yahoo.com www.youngsurvival.org.

The Gather Place www.touchedbycancer.org

The Gathering Place is a caring community that supports, educates and empowers individuals and families touched by cancer through programs and services provided free of charge.

06-30-2008

Cancer Lifeline Support Groups (58kb)