(Published by: Hudson Valley Reporter) Support Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization specializing in free support services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer, will launch a new monthly support group at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie next month.
Beginning Jan. 7, the meeting will be held the first Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. in collaboration with Health Quest’s Dyson Center for Cancer Care at the hospital.
The group is open to women with breast, ovarian or gynecological cancer. It will focus on living with cancer at all stages of diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment. The group will be led by one of the professional peer counselors on Support Connection’s staff who is a breast cancer survivor.
Support Connection officials say a support group enables women to share information and experiences, confidentially discuss concerns, and gain support from others who understand.
Participation is free but pre-registration is required. For info or to register, call Support Connection at 914-962-6402 or toll-free at 800-532-4290.
Support Connection, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is based in Yorktown Heights, but through its toll-free services it helps people across the country. Services include one-on-one counseling with professional counselors who are cancer survivors; ongoing peer-to-peer support groups; ongoing wellness classes; holistic health workshops; public educational programs; and information and referral services.
Besides the support group scheduled at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Support Connection has also slated support group meetings in January at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel and the East Fishkill Community Library in Hopewell Junction.
The Putnam Hospital meetings include a Breast Cancer Support Group on the third Thursday of the month, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. and a Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group on the third Wednesday of the month, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m.
The meeting at the East Fishkill Library is a Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group slated for the second Tuesday of the month, Jan. 14, at 10:15 a.m.