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.
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
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 affected by metastatic and/or advanced cancer. Through discussion and guided exercises, group members have the opportunity to explore ways to cope with the challenges of living with advanced illness and to continue to find meaning and hope. Individuals with advanced cancer meet together, while loved ones/companions meet in a separate group.
To learn more, call the Lewiston location at 207-795-8250.
Last Wednesday of each month, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Education and support for people living with prostate cancer, also open to their loved ones/caregivers. Sessions involve both guest presenters and open forums for discussion.
Mondays, 4:00 – 4:45 PM
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, telephone consult is required. Call 207-795-8250 to learn more.
Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
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.
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.
To learn more, please contact Theresa Beaudette at 207-376-9649.
Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:00 PM 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.
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.
This eight-week group is a safe space in which to express yourself, share your experience, and connect with other women, giving you a sense of belonging and empowerment. This group is for any woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, at any phase of treatment or survivorship.
All group members are required to talk with the Patti Sands, LCSW before attending. Commitment to attend all meetings is strongly encouraged. This group is limited to ten people.
To learn more, contact Patti Sands, LCSW by email at [email protected]
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
The caregiver support group is for people caring for a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.
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.
To learn more, call the South Portland location at 207-744-2200.
Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
This group is for adults affected by cancer – patients, survivors, caregivers – at any point in their cancer experience.
2nd Tuesday of each month, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Education and support for people living with prostate cancer. Partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.
3rd Saturday of each month, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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 PM
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 PM
A support group for adults impacted by a diagnosis of multiple myeloma – open to both patients and loved ones.
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.
To learn more, email Tracey Madigan, LCSW-CC at [email protected]
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.