COLORECTAL CANCER INFORMATION/SUPPORT GROUPS
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National Support Group in French
Open to all stages of colorectal cancer and for patients at any point in the care trajectory.
Join our Patient Support Specialist on the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST via Zoom platform. Patient-focused presentations on a variety of clinical and psychosocial topics followed by Q & A discussions and an opportunity for peer support.
Please contact
support@colorectalcancercanada.comto register.
National Support Group (50+ at diagnosis)
Open to all stages of colorectal cancer and for patients at any point in the care trajectory.
Join our Patient Support Specialist on the last Monday of each month from 7-9 PM EST via Zoom platform. Patient-focused presentations on a variety of clinical and psychosocial topics followed by Q & A discussions and an opportunity for peer support.
Please contact
support@colorectalcancercanada.comto register.
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In-Treatment Support Group
Our latest addition to the virtual support program, our in-treatment group offers educational as well as peer support for patients of any age and at any stage of the disease.
Led by our Patient Support Specialist, this group addresses the concerns and challenges that patients face throughout the treatment process.
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 1-3 PM EST, via Zoom platform.
Please contact
support@colorectalcancercanada.comto register.
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Ottawa, Ontario (Now virtual)
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s MapleSoft GumDocs Centre, 1500 Alta Vista Drive.
Colorectal cancer patients, survivors and caregivers meet monthly to provide information and share their authentic lived experience. 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Meetings (on the second Tuesday of every month)
robert.hamilton3@icloud.com (613) 314-1395
For more information please contact Robert Hamilton
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Early Age Onset Group (Under 50 at diagnosis)
An increase in diagnoses of early age onset colorectal cancer has brought forward the importance of addressing clinical and psychosocial issues unique to this younger group.
Led by our Patient Support Specialist on the first Monday of each month from 7-9 PM EST via Zoom platform, we explore topics of interest to this community, through a series of presentations followed by Q & A/discussions.
Please contact
support@colorectalcancercanada.comto register.
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Caregiver Support Group
Has someone you know and care for been touched by colorectal cancer? Do you sometimes struggle with how to support them while honoring your own emotional needs and managing your concerns?
You are not alone. Our caregiver support group meets on the first Wednesday of each month, from 7-9 PM ET, via Zoom platform.
Led by our Patient Support Specialist, we offer presentations on a variety of caregiver-focused topics, a follow up discussion and individual check ins.
Please contact
support@colorectalcancercanada.comto register.
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Oshawa, Ontario (now virtual)
CRC Support GroupHearth Place Cancer Support Ctr., 86 Colborne St. W., Ottawa, Ontario.
stephanie@hearthplace.org 905-579-4833
Facilitator: Ted Trueman. Meets every third Monday of the month: 4:30-6:30 p.m. If you plan to attend Stephanie Hamilton
Social and emotional support is associated with better overall health. Equipping patients and caregivers with information provides the understanding and confidence required to ask important questions about treatments and overall prognosis. Colorectal Cancer Canada is actively creating virtual support communities throughout Canada. Our goal is to ensure patients and caregivers are informed about the disease, empowered by this knowledge and receive the support necessary to be active participants in their care.
Moderated by our Patient Support Specialist, monthly meetings are held where patients, caregivers and their families can learn, share experiences, and support one another.
What you can expect from attending our groups:
- Presentation and discussion of clinical and psychosocial topics related to colorectal cancer care, covering all stages of the disease. We seek to arm patients with up-to-date information on treatments and advances in the field. We believe this encourages thoughtful dialogue between patients and their treating oncologists and helps them to make informed decisions about their cancer care.
- Cancer Care updates Group members are encouraged to share information about their journey, addressing concerns with respect to treatments or side effects, fears, nutrition, post treatment follow-up care or any other issue they feel worthy for discussion. Through shared experiences, moderator and members will assist each patient in exploring their questions and concerns.
- A safe and supportive environment to ask questions and explore both the psychological and emotional impact of the disease
The thought of cancer never goes away and these monthly sessions allow me to process thoughts and come out on the right side. Kind of like a reality check on life.
DID YOU KNOW?
Across Canada, more than two million people are now involved in information/support groups.
People who have social support are more likely to be healthier than those who do not.
BENEFITS REPORTED BY PATIENTS WHO HAVE ATTENDED OUR INFORMATION/SUPPORT GROUPS:
- Learning more about cancer
- Learning more about resources for people with cancer
- Feeling that life is more meaningful
- Being able to cope with illness and medical procedures
- Having a better perspective on illness
- Being more aware of needs
- Being able to talk about cancer
- Being able to talk with family and friends about cancer
- Feeling physically stronger
- Feeling more empowered or able to make decisions
- Being less isolated
- Being more active, socially and physically
Below is a list of colorectal cancer information/support groups currently operating in Canada. Should you wish to inquire about them or do not see one that operates in your community, do not hesitate to contact us to see if one has just started running in your city or if if we can help you find one near you.
