Cancer Support Groups & Services

A Holistic Approach to Cancer Care

At CVPH FitzPatrick Cancer Center, we take a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to cancer care. Working collaboratively, our goal is to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients.

Counseling, Educations & Referrals

An oncology social worker, is based at the FitzPatrick Cancer Center and provides counseling, information and referrals to hospital and community-based services and programs.

Alexander Fleming, LMSW, OSW-C
Board Certified Oncology Social Worker
FitzPatrick Cancer Center
(518) 562-7534
Send an email

 

Support Groups

There are also a number of support groups available should you and your family choose to participate. Unless otherwise indicated, the groups meet at the Cancer Center.

 

Grief Support

This group is open to anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a loved one. It provides a place to share your experience with others facing their own loss. Held the 1st Monday of the month at 6 pm, no connection to cancer is required to attend. For more information contact Alex Fleming, LMSW at 518-562-7534 or afleming2@cvph.org.

 

The Big C: A Group for Men With Cancer

This group meets the second Monday of the month at 6 pm. . For more information, contact Alex Fleming, LMSW at 518-562-7534 or afleming2@cvph.org.

 

Leukemia/Lymphoma Patient and Family Support Group

This support group for people with a blood cancer diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, Waldenstrom’s myelodysplastic syndrome meets the 3rd Monday of every month from 6 to 8 pm. For more information, contact Alex Fleming, LMSW at 518-562-7534 or afleming2@cvph.org.

 

Look Good...Feel Better

A program to assist women in coping with appearance changes, such as hair loss and changes in skin is offered every other month. Registration is required. Please contact Alex Fleming, LMSW at 518-562-7534 or afleming2@cvph.org.

 

Mindful Mondays

Is a support group for women who are cancer survivors and want to practice mindfulness. It meets on the second Monday of the month from 5 to 6:15 pm. Please contact Charlotte Gosrich, RD, JD, at 518-562-3547 or cgosrich@cvph.org.

 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

MBSR is a scientifically researched method for decreasing psychological and physical suffering while increasing resilience and peace of mind. It is available to cancer survivors and those in maintenance treatment. If interested in the next session please call Charlotte Gosrich, RD at 518-562-3547 or cgosrich@cvph.org.

 

Nature-Based Approach to Living Beyond Cancer

This unique program uses the techniques of Forest and Horticultural Therapy to connect participants with the healing benefits of nature and plants in a supportive group environment. For registration information for upcoming programs, contact Alex Fleming, LMSW at 518-562-7534 or afleming2@cvph.org.

 

Moving Toward Wellness: Finding Your Best Path for Life After Cancer

This program designed to provide information, resources and support to increase resiliency, reduce stress and promote positive change for healthy lifestyle choices. For registration information for upcoming programs, call Alex Fleming, LMSW at 518-562-7534 or afleming2@cvph.org

 

Nutrition

There is no denying the role nutrition plays in fighting cancer. Registered dieticians from our Nutrition Services Department work with patients and their families to help meet specialized nutrition requirements and answer questions you may have diet and your therapy.  People undergoing cancer therapy often experience a change in appetite, metabolic alternations or side effects from their treatment. Our dieticians can offer advice regarding appropriate diets for specific disease states, specialized nutrition supplements or strategies to optimize your food intake.

Survivorship

Advancements in treatments mean that more people are living with and beyond cancer than ever before. That can present challenges for patients after completing their treatments, including:

  • Dealing with long-term and short-term side effects of treatment
  • Anxiety around scans
  • Fear of recurrence
  • Emotional distress
  • Survivor’s guilt

The FitzPatrick Cancer Center offers two programs offering resources to help you deal with these and other issues related to cancer and survivorship:

  • Moving Towards Wellness: Finding Your Best Path for Life After Cancer: The goal of this program is to provide information, resources and support to individuals whose focus is now on moving towards wellness after being treated for cancer.  The information provided will be about creating or enhancing healthy habits, dealing with long-term and short-term side effects of treatment, and coping techniques to deal with the emotional distress of cancer.  Topics will include but not limited to fatigue, chemo brain, anxiety around scans, fear of recurrence, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. The program consists of eight weekly sessions.
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Do you ever feel like stress is taking over your life? Do you find it difficult to stay focused and present in the moment? If so, you’re not alone. MBSR is emerging as a leading program for stress reduction. By making mindfulness a part of your daily routine, you can cultivate greater self-awareness and develop the tools to manage stress more effectively. This is also an eight-week program and is free to the public.

Contact Alex Fleming (contact info above) for more information and to sign up for either program. Joanne Astill-Vaccaro, MD, a psychiatrist working with the Cancer Center, created a 15 minute presentation discussing survivorship, what you and your loved ones may experience during and after treatment, and some suggestions to help cope with the distress and anxiety you may be feeling. You can watch the presentation below: