Supportive Care Services

Support groups

Facing the challenges of cancer can leave you feeling overwhelmed, frightened, and alone. A support group can help by providing a place to discuss your feelings, share information, and talk about coping with cancer. Online social support tools are another way to get support and stay in touch with friends, family, and other patients and caregivers.

COVID-19 update

For your safety, we have temporarily canceled all in-person patient events. If you have any questions about a specific event, please reach out to the Resource Center at (206) 606-2081 or email the Patient and Family Resource Center at patientresourcectr@seattlecca.org.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center support groups

All Fred Hutch support groups are free and are facilitated by Fred Hutch staff. Groups are open only to Fred Hutch patients and their family members and caregivers.

Living with colorectal cancer

A networking and sharing group, for patients, caregivers, families, and friends. Everyone is welcome, regardless of where care is received. One-on-one support is also available.
When: There are two groups that meet each month and people may attend one meeting or both meetings: The Seattle area group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7-9 pm. The Everett area group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8 pm.
Where: Due to COVID-19 this group is now meeting virtually through Zoom. Please contact Anita Mitchell at anita@colonstars.org or (206) 778-3532
Phone: (206) 778-3532

Support group for young adults with cancer

Are you a young adult (ages 18-40) currently in active treatment at Fred Hutch for any cancer or potentially malignant disorder? Please join us and meet other young adults undergoing treatment, share your experiences and learn more about living with this diagnosis.

Registration is required. To register, please call Megan Nash or James Hnida.
Phone: Megan at (206) 606-1082 and James at (206) 606-6416

When: Facilitated group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4–5:15 pm. Please check the Events Calendar for updates. This group is currently meeting virtually due to COVID-19.
Where: Resource Center on the 3^rd floor at the South Lake Union clinic

Kidney and bladder cancer support

Join Julia and Art Chmura for presentations and discussions. Light refreshments are provided.
When: Saturdays, 1–3 pm every few months; contact for more information
Where: South Lake Union clinic
Email: juliachmura@comcast.net

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)

For women of all ages at high risk of breast or ovarian cancer.
Where: Due to COVID-19 this group is now meeting virtually. Please contact Krystin for more information.
Email: krystint@facingourrisk.org

FORCE Empowered Young Women’s Group

For women under age 40 at high risk of breast or ovarian cancer.
Where: Due to COVID-19 this group is now meeting virtually. Please contact Krystin for more information.
Email: krystint@facingourrisk.org

ITP support group

Listen to speakers, get to know each other, share stories of your experience with low-blood platelets, exchange information, and plan future meetings and speakers. https://pdsa.org/support-groups/item/1671-seattle-wa.html
When: The fourth Sunday in January, April, July, and October from 1–3 pm
Where: Due to COVID-19 this group is now meeting virtually through Zoom. Please contact Tammy Fassett at m tcfassett@gmail.com for more information.

Platelet A tiny, disc-shaped piece of a cell that is found in the blood and spleen. Platelets help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal. A tiny, disc-shaped piece of a cell that is found in the blood and spleen. Platelets are pieces of very large cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. They help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal. Having too many or too few platelets, or having platelets that do not work as they should, can cause problems. Checking the number of platelets in the blood may help diagnose certain diseases or conditions.

More about support

Fred Hutch social workers are a great source of support as well as referrals to support groups. They can be reached at (206) 606-1076 or socialw@seattlecca.org. More information about support groups also is available from the Patient & Family Resource Center at (206) 606-2081.

Support for children and families at Seattle Children's Hospital

Support groups for children

Seattle Children’s sponsors and hosts a variety of support groups and networks for families of children with special healthcare needs. Most of the groups are led by a social worker or nurse. Parents or parent-staff partnerships facilitate some groups.

View List of Seattle Children's Support Groups

Support services outside Fred Hutch

Cancer Lifeline

Cancer Lifeline’s Support Groups work to meet the needs of patients, survivors, caregivers, family and friends.

View List of Support Groups

Cancer Pathways

Cancer Pathways, formerly known as Gilda's Club Seattle, offers support groups for both men and women. There are support groups for newly diagnosed patients, caregivers, bereavement and patients living with cancer for two or more years. Free of charge and nonprofit, Cancer Pathways offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops, and social events in a homelike setting.

Adult support groups
Family support programs.

Phone: (206) 709-1400

Crisis Connections

Crisis Connections 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).

Crisis Connections

Patient Power®

Patient Power® is a trusted name among cancer patients, researchers, doctors, patient advocates, and care partners reached via website, Facebook, and other social channels. The Patient Power® website is organized by cancer type – added to daily – with news from medical conferences, expert interviews, and live chats on social media. Programs feature top global medical experts, dedicated advocates, and inspiring, knowledgeable patients.

Patient Power®

Young Survival Coalition Support Group

This group offers support for women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 40.

Young Survival Coalition

Online social support tools

Fred Hutch has teamed up with CarePages, CaringBridge, and CancerConnect to help patients and caregivers use the web to communicate with friends, family, and other patients and caregivers while going through treatment.

CaringBridge

CaringBridge is your free, personal, and private journal, guestbook, and photo album—all in one place. Share your CaringBridge website with your friends and family.

CaringBridge

CancerConnect

CancerConnect allows you to connect with fellow cancer patients and survivors. CancerConnect forums are moderated by Fred Hutch patient navigators.

CancerConnect

A note about your privacy

At no time does Fred Hutch or any of its founding organizations divulge or provide any patient information for the purpose of these services. These services are provided solely by CarePages.com, CaringBridge.com, and CancerConnect.com.

Learn more about Fred Hutch privacy

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