September 10, 2012                                                   

Women’s Group Provides Support for Cancer Patients, Survivors

Women Around You (WAY), a women’s support group for cancer patients and survivors, will meet the fourth Wednesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. starting Wednesday, September 26 at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

“This is a group where women dealing with all types of cancer can meet to discuss a variety of topics, receive and provide mutual support, learn and share experiences,” said Emily Lane, a licensed clinical social worker with SCI who will facilitate the group.

Registration is free and open to any woman who is going through treatment or who is a cancer survivor regardless of where they are receiving treatment. Register by calling 217-545-5408. WAY will meet in Room 3015 at SCI, 315 W. Carpenter St. in Springfield.

WAY is part of the Side-by-Side Wellness program through SCI. Side-by-Side helps patients manage the physical and psychological effects of living with cancer through a variety of free classes, workshops and support. SCI also provides individual counseling services for patients, their families and caregivers.

“A cancer diagnosis causes stress for the patient, their family and caregiver. Side-by-Side provides a variety of techniques and mechanisms to help ease the stress for the patient and their support system,” said Lane.

The mission of Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU is to serve the people of central and southern Illinois by addressing their present and future cancer needs through education, research, patient care and community service. Its website is www.siumed.edu/cancer.