SUPPORT SERVICES
NEWCOMER ORIENTATION
A First Step
Support begins when a member takes their first step in the door to a CSCP program. Membership in the community brings connection to others dealing with cancer. Newcomer Orientations with staff and volunteers (cancer survivors) are held on a regular basis to welcome new members and provide information about the programs offered at CSCP. The program staff is also available to meet with new members by appointment.
We ask anyone considering a weekly support group to attend a Newcomer Orientation to learn more about groups. There is no need to register ahead of time and meetings last about one hour.
Newcomer Orientations take place at The Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland:
First & Third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 PM
Thursdays at 11:00 AM
By Appointment
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT IN TIMES OF DECISION-MAKING
Have you recently been diagnosed with a new or recurrent cancer?
Do you need to make decisions about treatment options?
Do you have a appointment scheduled to meet with your doctor?
The Cancer Support Community now offers a question listing service to help you prepare for your upcoming oncology visit. This service is available at no cost to any person diagnosed with a new or recurrent cancer who has to make decisions about treatment options.
The goals of this program are to help you:
- communicate clearly with your medical team
- ask critical questions about your options
- ensure that your treatment decisions fit your personal hopes and goals
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Call us at 215-879-7733 and ask about the Open to Options program.
WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PEOPLE WITH CANCER
Finding Strength Together
The Cancer Support 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 Cancer Support Community support groups 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.
Research has suggested that CSC 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 CSCP weekly support group?
• People with any cancer diagnosis can join a group at any time through treatment or recovery.
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 progresses.
• People with cancer meet separately from family and support persons who have their own group.
People with cancer face different challenges that are understood by others also facing cancer. In the Family and Friends Group, family members benefit from being with other care-givers to discuss the concerns of supporting loved ones with cancer.
• All groups are facilitated by a specially trained, professional, licensed therapist.
• Groups are limited in size to 12 -14 people.
• Groups are dedicated-meaning you are assigned to a group that meets weekly with the same people who can become like an extended family.
The strength and benefit of the group comes from the commitment of the members to be there for one another on a regular basis. Members get to know each other in-depth and can address issues that need attention and support to resolve.
• Group members can talk not only about cancer treatment issues, but about emotional concerns, life changes and living with uncertainty.
Dedicated groups provide a unique experience of trust and community in a caring and uplifting environment.
• Information shared within groups is confidential.
• All groups are free of charge.
How do I join a CSCP Support Group?
1 - Attend a Newcomer Orientation and learn about support groups.
2 - Decide what day and time will be best for you and when you can begin.
3 - After Newcomer Orientation you will receive a follow-up call from CSCP Staff to decide on which group you will attend and to schedule a beginning date for joining group.
(A pre-group interview will also be scheduled and you will have a brief application form to complete.)
4 - Come to the group at least three times to make the best decision about how the group works for you.
When do Support Groups meet?
In Philadelphia at The Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland
Tuesdays at 1:00 - 3:00 PM and at 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Wednesdays at 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
In Chester Co at The Cancer Center of Paoli Hospital, 255 West Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301
Tuesdays at 6:30 - 8:30 PM
NETWORKING GROUPS
Common Issues
Networking Groups are monthly diagnosis specific support groups that offer an opportunity to meet others who face similar treatment and concerns. People with cancer along with their support persons can share information, experiences and coping strategies. All groups are professionally facilitated and do not require registration. Please refer to the current calendar for dates and times of each group meeting.
Current networking groups are:
Living Well with Advanced Breast Cancer
Women living with metastatic breast cancer meet to support one another in living life to the fullest through on-going treatment.
Gynecologic Cancers
Women with ovarian, cervical, uterine, vulvar, and other gynecologic cancers meet with others who face similar treatment and concerns.
Colorectal Cancer
Men and women who have a diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer, and those who support them, come together to learn and share experiences dealing with their specific cancer.
The group is presented in partnership with The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), Chapter of the Delaware Valley.
Thyroid Cancer
Individual with a diagnosis of thyroid cancer and their supporters meet to learn more about treatment and recovery and going on with life after cancer.
This group is presented in partnership with Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association.
Young Women with Breast Cancer
This monthly group is an opportunity for young women to address the distinctive concerns and issues that they face after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Women can share information and resources and support one another as they move through the breast cancer experience.
This group is presented in partnership with Young Survival Coalition.
Young Women with Stage IV Breast Cancer
This group presented by the Young Survival Coalition takes place monthly for young women with metastatic breast cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer with Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
This networking meeting is open to people with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones to share information and to support one another through the challenge of living with pancreatic cancer.
Lung Cancer
People with lung cancer and their support persons are welcome to share information, experiences, and coping strategies.
PHILADELPHIA OFF-SITE SUPPORT GROUPS
CSCP Reaches Out to Philadelphia Neighborhoods
CSCP offers support groups at several area cancer centers. These groups meet regularly for people with cancer and their support persons to come together to learn about cancer and share experiences. No registration is required. Please refer to calendar for times/dates.
Current Groups take place at:
Mercy Philadelphia Hospital Radiation Department
Iris V. Henderson Conference Room, 501 South 54th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Einstein Hospital Cancer Center
5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141
SUPPORT FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
The Cancer Support Community recognizes cancer as an illness that impacts an entire family. Our programs for people with cancer are also open to those who provide emotional support and physical care. Support persons are welcome and can attend educational workshops, healthy lifestyle programs and social events.
Family and Friends Support Group
These groups are specifically for those caring for a loved one with cancer (meaning emotional support and as well as physical care.) They offer the care-givers an opportunity to meet with others to learn how to help a loved one with cancer and to manage the stress of care-giving. Family members find others who understand and can share information and experiences as well as support one another in caring for themselves while they care for loved ones. No RSVP needed.
In Philadelphia:
Family and Friends meets weekly - Wednesdays, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
In addition, CSCP offers couples workshops and other caregiver programs that help to strengthen family relationships through cancer.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
 Supporting Children Through Cancer
Kid Support is a group for school aged-children who are affected by cancer in their family (parent, grandparent, sibling or their own cancer) It is an opportunity for kids to come together with other kids who have shared experiences. Through art and play activities they will explore thoughts, feelings and questions about life when they or a loved one has cancer.
Please see calendar or call 215-879-7733 for dates of this program.
 Boost Camp sponsored by the Junior League of Philadelphia
“Bonding Over Obstacles Shared Together”
The Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia is partnering with The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. to offer programs that support children whose families have been affected by cancer. Several free one-day events will be held throughout the year. Please see calendar or call for more information.
BEREAVEMENT GROUPS
Support for Life After Loss
This weekly group is for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one from cancer within the past two years. The group provides an opportunity for bereaved persons to share their feelings and experiences, get support and suggestions, and to learn how to go on with life.
Being with others who can understand as well as tolerate the sadness, pain and other feelings caused by a significant loss is a major benefit of the group.
The group is an on-going, committed group, and a phone interview with the facilitator is a prerequisite to joining the group. Please call 215-879-7733 for more information.
The Bereavement Group meets:
In Philadelphia at The Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland
Wednesdays - 6:00 - 7:30 PM
ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS OF THE CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
Virtual Support
These 90-minute weekly groups are facilitated by licensed professionals, specially trained to manage the diverse interactions of an Online Support Group. These are real-time groups for those with cancer, for caregivers, and for those dealing with bereavement. In addition to the weekly meetings, each online group has its own discussion group available only to the members of that group to enable continuous discussions.
To learn more about CSC online groups, visit
http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/Cancer-Support/Online-Support-Groups.html
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