Health/Disability Related Support Groups

The hospital provides support groups and self-help groups for patients, families, and for people in the community that may need health related support. There are no geographic restrictions.

Services include bereavement support groups for adults; a bereaved parent support group for women suffering perinatal loss of a child; health related support groups for amputation, brain injuries, breast cancer, chronic obstgructive lung disease, diabetes, ovarian (and other gynecological) cancer, prostate cancer, spinal cord injuries, stroke, a special health related support for children and youth who have loved ones with cancer, and a health related support group for patients, families and friends of cancer patients.

The program also provides two peer "mentoring" groups for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer (Breast Friends); or newly diagnosed with gynecological cancers such as ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer (Women Guiding Women). Mentors are committed volunteers who are prepared to assist women through active peer support.

Groups are peer support groups; some are professionally facilitated. Most meet once or twice a month. All groups are open to the general public.