PROGRAM BASICS

Opening August 18, 2008 (watch for updates)

Membership is easy:

  • Attend a New Member Meeting

  • Meet with a staff member to plan your participation

  • Come to what interests you (but wait … not until this summer!)

    • Two points to emphasize:

    Families are affected by cancer – not individuals. Our program welcomes everyone - the person with cancer, family members, friends, teenagers, children, newly diagnosed, long-term survivors.

    Members are the experts! Even though our groups are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals, it is the cancer survivor next to you at dinner who can share the impact of a stage-IV diagnosis, and it’s the teenager playing basketball with you out back who knows the fear of his father’s treatment.

    Beginning Summer 2008, here’s what we’ll be offering:

    Support groups – Weekly groups designed to "be real" and share the emotional and social realities associated with a cancer diagnosis. A regular commitment asked.

    Wellness Group (people with cancer)
    Family & Friends
    Teen Time
    Noogieland (support and play for children 5-13)

    Networking groups – Weekly or bi-weekly groups by type of cancer, culture or age. Support and education offered.

    Examples are: "Colon cancer," "Women of Color," "Young Adults"

    Workshop & Lectures

    Workshops are hands-on activities such as yoga, art, relaxation
    Lectures are learning opportunities from experts such as "Ask the Doctor," "Cooking for Cancer," or "Insurance Issues"

    Social Activities

    Potluck dinners, Karaoke night, dancing
    Noogiefest (a fun Halloween party for the whole family)

    Team Convene & Family Focus- Our program staff can facilitate meetings for members to gather family &/or friends to discuss emotions, challenges, scheduling, needs.