Support groups can help cancer patients and their loved ones to better manage the wide range of feelings and fears experienced before, during and after treatment.
A Stress Management and Coping Intervention: Offered twice annually, From Cancer to Health is an innovative, evidence-based program designed to help participants reduce stress, improve coping skills, and strengthen their social support system, while minimizing physical side effects from treatment. This 8-week group is appropriate for people who have been recently diagnosed with cancer or who are currently in treatment. Pre-registration is required.
Coping with the death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. This eight-week program offers adults an opportunity to learn about grief, handle the emotional roller coaster that comes with loss and connect with others who have had a loss.
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Open to adults with any type of cancer, at any stage, at any point along the journey from diagnosis through survivorship, along with their adult family members and friends. Through discussion and guided exercises, participants will have the opportunity to explore what it means to live well when cancer has impacted your life.
A group for people impacted by metastatic and/or advanced cancer. Through discussion and guided exercises, participants will have the opportunity to explore ways to cope with the challenges of living with (or loving somebody who has) advanced illness and to continue to find meaning and hope. Individuals with advanced cancer meet together, while loved ones/companions will meet in a separate group. Sessions are facilitated by oncology counselors. A telephone consult with a facilitator is required before attending.
Last Wednesday of each month, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Education and support for men living with prostate cancer, also open to their loved ones/caregivers. Sessions involve both guest presenters and open forums for discussion.
Mondays, 4:15-5pm
This activity-based support group created just for kids impacted by cancer meets weekly and offers a regular time to connect with other children, understand their cancer experience better, and learn how to cope with the many difficult feelings that are experienced.
Appropriate for ages 6-12 years old, Pre-assessment required.
Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
This group for adolescents, ages 12+, offers a comfortable environment to talk, learn more about cancer, and engage in activities with other teens impacted by cancer.
Thursdays, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital, 93 Campus Ave, Lewiston
Peer-facilitated, the tobacco support group is open to anyone interested in quitting tobacco. This group is offered in collaboration with Healthy Androscoggin.
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
The caregiver support group is for people caring for a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.
A Stress Management and Coping Intervention: Offered twice annually, From Cancer to Health is an innovative, evidence-based program designed to help participants reduce stress, improve coping skills, and strengthen their social support system, while minimizing physical side effects from treatment. This 8-week group is appropriate for people who have been recently diagnosed with cancer or who are currently in treatment. Advance registration is required.
Coping with the death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. This eight-week program offers adults an opportunity to learn about grief, handle the emotional roller coaster that comes with loss and connect with others who have had a loss.
A group for people impacted by metastatic and/or advanced cancer. Through discussion and guided exercises, participants will have the opportunity to explore ways to cope with the challenges of living with (or loving somebody who has) advanced illness and to continue to find meaning and hope. Individuals with advanced cancer meet together, while loved ones/companions will meet in a separate group. Sessions will be professionally facilitated by oncology counselors. A telephone consult with a facilitator is required before attending.
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
This group is for adults affected by cancer, their family and friends.
2nd Tuesday of each month, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The prostate cancer group is for men living with prostate cancer. Partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.
3rd Saturday of each month, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Face2Face is a peer-led social networking group for young women affected by breast cancer. All young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at all stages of treatment, recovery and beyond are welcome. Face2Face is offered in partnership with Young Survival Coalition.
3rd Tuesday of each month, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
A support group for adults impacted by a diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma – open to both patients and loved ones. This support group is offered in partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
1st Tuesday of each month, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
A support group for adults impacted by a diagnosis of multiple myeloma – open to both patients and loved ones. This group is offered in partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
A NOTE ABOUT SUPPORT GROUPS: Most Dempsey Center support groups are ongoing and welcome new members anytime. Groups marked by an asterisk (*) require advance registration before attending.