Support Groups

Group Meetings

Updated 1/5/2012

Support groups provide a time for patients and family members to discuss feelings, concerns and attitudes. The groups are facilitated by professionally trained social workers and other members of your support care team. Call 713-792-6195 for more information.   Get Directions

* Open to all cancer patients and families.

*Aging With Cancer
An experiential and educational forum with presentations, discussion and time for questions. Group members will learn effective communication with medical team, available support services and navigating through treatment process. Patients and caregivers 65 and over. Lunch will be provided.
When: 3rd Tuesday of the month, Noon-1:30 p.m. (beginning Sept. 20, 2011)
Where: Mays Clinic Building, ACB2.1387
Facilitators: Heather Valladarez, LMSW 713-794-1154; Midge Myhre, LMSW 713-792-7630

Anderson Network Community Outreach Group - For men only
For more information, call Sean Morrissey at 281-647-8136. 
When: 2nd Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m.
Where: St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road
Facilitator: Chaplain Steve Thorney, M.Div. 713-563-3988

*Body, Mind and Spirit
An experiential and educational forum to enhance all aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Call 713-792-6195 for more information.
When: 2nd Wednesday of the month, Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Patient Education Classroom, Floor 2, near the Tree Sculpture, ACB 2.1049
Facilitator: Toni Franciosi, LCSW; Tena Gardiner, LCSW 

Anderson Network Support Group
A monthly support group for MD Anderson employees, no matter what their cancer treatment status.
For more information, call Marisa Mir, 713-745-9206
When: 4th Thursday of the month, noon - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Alternates between Main Building and Mays/CPB
Facilitators: Employee Assistance Program and Nurse Counseling

*Brain Tumor - The Houston Area Brain Tumor Network
Guest speaker followed by discussion/support group for patients, family and friends.
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Brain & Spine Center, Main Building, floor 7, near Elevator B
Facilitator: Rebecca Savoie, LCSW, 713-794-1777; Suki Gibson, LMSW, 713-792-0772

Breast Cancer Support Group
Offers support to outpatient breast cancer patients, survivors, families and caregivers
When: 2nd Thursday of the month, 11:00 a.m. – noon
Where: Integrative Medicine Center, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Mary Dev, LCSW, 713-563-9440; Rose Lefeber, LMSW 713-794-1778; Jacqueline Garza, LMSW 713-794-5734

Breast Friends Support and Survivorship
When: Second Wednesday of the month, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: St. Luke's Hospital The Woodlands, 17198 St Luke's Way (corner of FM 242 and I-45)
Facilitator: Pamela Schlembach, M.D.

Caregivers & Families of Patients on the Palliative Care Unit & Mobile Team
This group focuses on the specific needs of caregivers, information about available resources, and facilitates connections with other caregivers on the Palliative Care Unit. 
When: Thursdays 1:00 -2:00 p.m.
Where: Palliative Care Unit, G12.3328
Facilitators: Luke Coulson, LMSW 713-745-9367; Carmella Wygant, LCSW 713-794-1150; Steve Thorney, 713-563-3988; Martha Aschenbrenner 713-792-5650.

Care 4 Caregivers Support Group
When: Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Rotary House International, 1600 Holcombe, Patient Guest Relations Area
Facilitators: DJ Fomby, LCSW, 713-792-6824

*Circle of Hope Bereavement Support Group
A Life After Loss group series developed by American Cancer Society for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one within the past two years. Contact the Department of Social Work at 713-792-6195 for pre-registration, which is required.
When: Three times a year for six weeks on Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Where: Mays Building 
Facilitator: Jackie Garza, LMSW; Carmella Wygant, LCSW

CLIMB^® (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) & Teen CLIMB^®
CLIMB is a 6-week long support program for children and teens, ages 6-12 and 13-17, whose parents have cancer. A concurrent parent group is also held during the program.  Please call for information on meeting times/dates and to determine eligibility. Registration Required. Call Marisa Minor, LCSW at (713) 792-6826 for additional information. Visit the CLIMB web page
Where: Integrative Medicine Center, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Marisa Minor, LCSW; Amy LaMarca-Lyon, LCSW; Jeannette Kolarik, LCSW; Aril Greene, LCSW; Wendy Griffin, LCSW; and Morgan Henry, LCSW

*Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Education and Support Group for Depression & Anxiety
Come learn and discuss ways to reframe thoughts, feelings and behaviors.  The CBT group focuses on education and strategies to build positive thinking skills and reducing negative thought patterns.  It is a proven method to reduce anxiety and depression.
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.-noon
Where: Integrative Medicine Center, Mays Clinic
Facilitators: Rose Lefeber, LMSW, 713-794-1778; Mary Dev, LCSW, 713-563-9440.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Support Group
Offers support to cancer patients, survivors, families and caregivers. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.
When: 2nd Wednesday of each month, noon – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Integrative Medicine Center, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitator: LaShan Archie, LMSW 713-792-0762

Head & Neck Support Group
Provides education and emotional support to head and neck cancer patients and caregivers. For more information or to register, call 713-563-0670, extension 2.
When: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: MD Anderson Regional Care Center in Bay Area, 18100 St. John Drive, Suite 150, Nassau Bay
Facilitator: Traci Newsom, LCSW 

Hospitality Apartments Support Group
For more information, contact Jai Combest at 713-794-1465
When: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m
Where: Hospitality Apartments
Facilitator: Jai Combest, LMSW

Leukemia Caregivers Support Groups
Offers a safe, confidential environment where caregivers can come together to learn from professional caregivers and from each other.  

G16 Leukemia Caregivers Support Group
When: 1st and 3rd Mondays, 2:00– 3:00 p.m.
Where: G16.3252 Family Quiet Room 
Facilitators: Cindy Singh, RN and Thuy Phan, RN 713-745-5950  

G12 Leukemia Caregivers Support Group
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Where: G12 E Conference Room (G12.3361). 
Facilitators: Bonnie Arceneaux, RN; Christina Garza, RN; Sarah Cook, LMSW 713-563-2404; Stephen Findley, M.Div

Leukemia Center Network
For Leukemia Center patients, caregivers, and family members. Educational guest speakers and the opportunity for patients, caregivers, and family members to network.
When: 1st Tuesday of the month, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Where: The Learning Center: Main Building, floor 4, near elevator A 
Facilitators: Sarah Cook, LMSW 713-563-2404 and Johanna Pule, LMSW 713-745-5050.

Melanoma Patient & Caregivers Support Group
For more information call Christine Durlam, LCSW 713-792-7628. Lunch will be provided.
When: 4th Tuesday of the month, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Melanoma & Skin Center Conference Room, Main Building, Floor 9, near Elevator C, R9.2184
Facilitator: Christine Durlam, LCSW

Ovarian Cancer Support Group
Must call 713-745-4730 to RSVP.
When: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Integrative Medicine Center, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Alycia Hughes, LMSW

Pancreatic Cancer Message Board
Pancreatic cancer patients can ask questions, and share their concerns with other patients on the pancreatic cancer message board. For more information, contact Heather Carlson at 713-792-2828, or Jai Combest, LMSW at 713-794-1465. 

Proton Therapy Prostate Patient Group
For patients who are considering, undergoing or have completed proton therapy for prostate cancer and their caregivers. Call 713-794-5926 or 713-563-2362 for additional information.
When: 4th Thursday of the month, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Proton Therapy Center, 1840 Old Spanish Trail, Conference Rooms 1 & 2
Facilitator: Alicia Rubel, LMSW and Lindsey Menke, LMSW 

Protective Environment (PE) Education Support Group
Open to families of patients in PE. For more information, call 713-563-2404.
When: Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Main Building, Floor 12, G12E in the PE area
Facilitators: Sarah Cook, LMSW and Melissa Marks, RN

Spine Tumor Support Group
Offering support and education to primary and metastatic spine tumor patients and their caregivers. For more information, call 713-563-8738.
When: 1st Wednesday of the month, 5:00p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Integrative Medicine Center, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Gisela Sanchez-Williams, R.N., M.S.N., A.N.P.-C, 713-792-2400; Susan Hainley R.N., M.S.N., ACNP-BC 

*Urology Cancer Message Board
For survivors/patients of bladder, penile, prostate, testicular, kidney and other urological cancers and their caregivers. Log on to www.mdanderson.org/gucancerboard and follow the instructions to become a new user. For more information call Laura Walther, LCSW, at 713-792-0753.

*Well-Wives: For Any Woman Whose Husband Has Cancer
This group is for female family members when the male is the cancer patient. Women only.
When: Thursdays, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International, 1600 Holcombe
Facilitator: Carol Dimmett, M.A., B.A.

Community Oncology Support Groups

The American Cancer Society offers "I Can Cope“: a series of educational classes for people facing cancer: and "Dialogue“: support groups to help you deal with the challenge of cancer. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Cancer Counseling, Inc. (Houston) offers support groups for patients and family members who live locally. For more information, call 713-520-9873.

CanCare of Houston, Inc. offers free, one-on-one long-term emotional support for individuals diagnosed with cancer and their family members. Volunteers are matched with referrals based on cancer type, age, gender and family situation. For more information, call 713-461-0028 or visit www.cancare.org.

Bo’s Place is a program for grieving children and their families. They offer support groups in the evening during the week, free of charge. For more information, call 713-942-8339.

Cancer Care Inc. Online and telephone support groups. For more information, call 1-800-813-HOPE or visit www.cancercare.org.