Programs for patients to support one another
Support groups
Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center currently offers a variety of support groups to help adult patients and their families share information and moral support with help from an experienced facilitator. Aimed at patients with specific cancers (such as brain tumor or melanoma), or those in a certain age group (such as young breast cancer survivors), some include patients only, others are mixed, and one is for caregivers only. Support group coordinator Daisy Gomez also identifies resources in the community.
One to One: Connecting with someone who's been there
Adult patients or family members have the opportunity for phone conversations with a patient, survivor, or family member volunteer who has faced similar cancer challenges.
The Patient and Family Advisory Councils
Serving as a "voice of the patient," council members work side-by-side with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to help ensure that the highest level of care is delivered. Although not specifically a support group, the councils, made up of patients, survivors, and family members on both the adult and pediatric side, offer opportunities for friendship.
Pediatrics
Children and teens with cancer and their families, who receive care through Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Care, often form strong bonds because of the small size of the Jimmy Fund Clinic and oncology floors at Children's. In addition, there are several support groups and informal gatherings, such as Friday night pizzas, drop-in coffee hours, and "dinner and chat" nights for teens.
For more information on these services, visit www.dana-farber.org and click on "Patient Care" and "Support Services."
