Experiencing emotional trials from the diagnosis of cancer is normal, but that doesn’t make it easy. Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU believes that support groups are an important part of cancer care. Support groups provide those diagnosed with cancer a place to learn information about their cancer; a place to share feelings, experiences and concerns with others who have the same cancer diagnosis; and a place that gives emotional and spiritual nourishment. Support Groups connect people facing similar challenges. Due to COVID, meetings are being held virtually. Days, times, and frequencies of meetings vary. Please contact the person listed under the support group you are interested in.

Simmons Cancer Institute

• Virtual Head & Neck Cancer Support Group, a patient-directed self-help organization that was founded in 1991 by an oral cancer survivor. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the emotional, physical and humanistic needs of oral and head and neck cancer patients and their caregivers.

            4th Fridays at 1 pm 

            To sign up for virtual group, contact: Jenny Varga, 217.862.0415 or simmons@siumed.edu

• Virtual Women Around You (WAY), a support group for female cancer patients of all ages.
  To sign up or for more information: simmons@siumed.edu or 217.545.7493

Memorial Medical Center

• Virtual Breast Cancer Support Group
  2nd Tuesdays at 5 pm
  (Does not meet in November & December)
  To sign up, contact: Naomi Wands RN, BSN, OCN 217.757.7684

• Virtual Prostate Cancer Support Group
  2nd Wednesdays at 5:15 pm
  To sign up, contact: Naomi Wands RN, BSN, OCN 217.757.7684

• Virtual Finding Hope Cancer Support Group for Patients and Caregivers
  3rd Wednesdays at 5 pm
  To sign up, contact: Naomi Wands RN, BSN, OCN 217.757.7684

Teal Time - An Ovarian Cancer Survivor Group

• Contact: info@tealtime.org or www.tealtime.org

If you have a support group in your community that you would like us to share, please call 217.545.7493.