Support for Patients and Families

Fear of the unknown is the greatest obstacle the cancer patient faces after initial diagnosis and start of treatment. Some answers can be found by meeting with other patients who have successfully conquered cancer. From sharing common problems comes common solutions.

The Saint Francis / Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center has several programs designed to assist cancer patients and their families.

The many support groups at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center offer a safe place to talk, as well as to listen and learn from each other.

Support at Saint Francis:

• The Breast Cancer Support Group
  For those with a diagnosis of breast cancer within the last 2 years. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 5:15-6:45 pm. Free. Parking validation provided. Please bring your parking ticket. Call Janet G. Ragno, LCSW at 714-4112 to register. Co-facilitators: Janet G. Ragno, LCSW & Mary Ann Walsh, Oncology RN. 
• Gynecological Cancer Support Group: Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. in the 39B Conference Room of the Patient Care Tower at Saint Francis Hospital. For more information call (860) 714-7995 or (860) 714-7945.
• The Prostate Cancer Support Group
  Starting soon at the Cancer Center
• CarePages
  is a free service that allows the user to create a private, personalized web page where a patient’s condition and progress can be updated; messages can be sent and received 24-hours a day; and, information and photos can be shared even if friends and family are many miles away.
• Cancer Wellness Programs provided by the Department of Health Promotion

Other sources of support: 

• www.cancercare.org 
  Educational and emotional support in person, by phone or internet 
• Cancer Hope Network 
  One-to-One and online support from volunteers who have had cancer   
• Gilda's Club 
  Support for anyone living with cancer 
• LiveStrong (Lance Armstrong) 
  Support and advocacy for people with cancer
• Malecare, Inc
  Support for men with cancer  
• Caring Connections
  Information and support for people planning ahead, caring for a loved one, living with an illness, or grieving a loss 
• Patient Advocate Foundation
  Solving insurance and healthcare access problems 
• Ronald McDonald House Charities
  Support for children and families  
• The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults  
  Supporting young adults and their loved ones affected by cancer
• Sisters Network® Inc 
  Support for African Americans with breast cancer

Saint Francis/Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center
To make an appointment
Medical Oncology: 860 714-4680
Radiation Oncology: 860 714-4568