Support Groups
A diagnosis of cancer can be stressful to patients and their families. Smilow Cancer Hospital has licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) available to help people manage their feelings and concerns throughout their cancer care. Our social workers also facilitate many support groups that provide the opportunity to receive emotional and educational support and to talk with others who are undergoing similar treatment, or who have successfully completed treatment. The following support groups are open to patients of Smilow Cancer Hospital and their families:
Bladder Cancer Support Group
This group is held in-person first Monday of every month from 11:00AM-12:00PM. It is designed for people who are recently diagnosed, actively in treatment, or have completed treatment for any type of bladder cancer. For more information, please call Lori Roy, RN, at 203-671-3491, or Crystal Batson-Jones, LMSW, at 475-224-9658.
Blood Cancers Support Group
Our online support group is held on the second Tuesday of every month at 1:00PM for people with blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The group focuses on sharing experiences, coping mechanisms, and treatment information. For more information, please call Mary Strauss, LCSW, OSW-C, at 203-500-7434.
Brain Tumor Support Group
This online support group meets the third Monday of every month from 3:00-4:30PM. People with brain tumors are encouraged to share their story and hear the experience of others. For more information, please call Stefania Santinon, LMSW, at 475-227-5068.
Breast Cancer Support Group
Join us online the first Tuesday of each month from 3:30-4:30PM for people who have any type of breast cancer and are at any stage in their care. To learn more, please call Susanne Lee-Baldassini, LCSW, at 475-224-8052.
Caregiver Support Group
Please join us on the first and third Thursday of the month at 5:00PM. This group is focused on supporting caregivers of people diagnosed with any type of cancer. For more information contact Mary Strauss, LCSW, OSW-C, at 203-500-7434.
Early-Onset Cancer Support Group
This group is open to anyone within the Smilow Cancer Hospital network between ages 18 to 49 who has been diagnosed with cancer. The group is held online on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 12:00-1:00PM. If you are interested in joining, please contact Halley Robinson, LCSW, at 475-209-6954.
Early-Onset Cancers Caregivers Support Group
This support group is designed for families and caregivers of those between the ages of 18-49 diagnosed with cancer. The group meets online on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 4:00PM. For more information, please call Mary Strauss, LCSW, OSW-C, at 203-500-7434.
Esophageal Cancer Support Group
This group offers emotional support, practical advice on managing side effects, and community for caregivers and patients receiving care for esophageal cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital. The group meets on the third Friday of every month at 12:15PM. Please call Shenell Charles, LCSW, at 203-640-7268 to learn more.
General Cancer Support Group
The general cancer support group meets online the third Wednesday of every month at 2:00PM at Smilow Cancer Hospital in Orange. The group is open to patients that have been diagnosed with any type of cancer and are at any point in their treatment. To learn more, contact Jennifer Cohen, LCSW, at 203-215-5208.
Head and Neck Cancer Support Group
This group provides a safe space to share your story, hear from others, and receive emotional support and guidance from our licensed social worker. Please join us on the fourth Thursday of every month from 4:00-5:00PM. For more information, please call Kerry Lassen, LCSW, at 203-645-9076 for more information.
Loss of Spouse Support Group
This support group is designed for people who have lost a spouse or partner to cancer. It is held online on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30PM. There is also a daytime session that meets every other Tuesday of the month at 9:30AM. Please contact 203-415-8940 to learn more.
Lung Cancer Support Group
This group offers emotional support, treatment information, and coping strategies for people who have lung cancer and their caregivers. The group meets online the first and third Tuesday of every month at 1:00PM. To join, please call Halley Robinson, LCSW, at 475-209-6954.
Men’s Cancer Support Group
At Smilow Cancer Hospital in Trumbull, we feature a support group focused on cancers related to men. This group meets the second Wednesday of every month at 11:00AM and is open to men diagnosed with any type of cancer. To learn more, please call 203-383-0425.
Multiple Myeloma Support Group
For people who have multiple myeloma, this support group can be an impactful part of the treatment plan. This group meets online on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:00PM. To join, please contact Laura Donnelly, LCSW, 203-368-8747.
Neuroendocrine Cancer Support Group
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any type of neuroendocrine cancer (also known as NETs), you can join our online support group the second Thursday of every month at 1:00PM where patients can benefit from a safe space to discuss the management and complexities of a rare cancer diagnosis. To learn more, please contact Teresa DeNicholas, LCSW, at 203-889-6735.
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
Our pancreatic cancer support group offers emotional support, practical advice on managing treatment, and a strong sense of community for patients receiving care at Smilow Cancer Hospital, as well as their caregivers. The group meets online every Monday from 1:30-2:30PM. To join, please call Laura Donnelly, LCSW, at 203-368-8747.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
Our support group for people who are recently diagnosed, actively in treatment, or have completed treatment for any type of prostate cancer. It is held online the first Wednesday of every month from 12:00-1:30PM. For more information, please call Stefania Santinon, LMSW, 475-227-5068.
Women with Cancer Support Group
At Smilow Cancer Hospital in Trumbull, we feature as support group focused on cancers related to women. The group meets the second and fourth Monday of every month at 10:00AM. To learn more, contact 203-590-1759.
Women’s Advanced Cancer Support Group
At Smilow Cancer Hospital at Saint Francis in Hartford, CT, this group offers support to women diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer. It is held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 2:00PM. To learn more, contact Cheryl Dostie, LCSW, at 860-714-4731.