Support Groups

Group Meetings

Updated 11/9/09

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.

* Open to all cancer patients and families.

*Brain Tumor - The Houston Area Brain Tumor Network
Guest speaker followed by discussion/support group for patients, family and friends.
When: 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Place ... of wellness, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1049
Facilitator: Mark Anderson, L.M.S.W., 713-794-1777; Suki Panju, L.M.S.W., 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: Place ... of wellness, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Mary Dev, L.M.S.W., 713-563-9440; Rose Lefeber, L.M.S.W., 713-794-1778

*Cancer Patients & Families
Share concerns you and your loved ones may have about your family member’s cancer and its impact on your lives. The patient is also invited to attend.
When: Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Jesse H. Jones Rotary House, 1600 Holcombe
Facilitator: Carol Dimmett, M.A., B.A.

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; Andrea Skogland, LCSW, 713-563-2397; Carol Dimmett, M.A., B.A .

Caregivers: “I’ve Got Feelings Too”
Single session group introducing caregivers to strategies for providing care to patients and themselves. Lunch is provided. Call 713-794-4700 to register.
When: Thursdays, noon – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Place ... of wellness, Main Building, Floor 1, R1.2000
Facilitator: Phyddy Kettler, C.N.S., L.M.F.T.

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.
Pre-registration required: Call 713-792-7149
When: Three times a year for six weeks on Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Main Building, Floor 1, near The Aquarium, R1.1845
Facilitator: Mary Ann Bassham, L.C.S.W.

CLIMB® (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery)
CLIMB is a six-week support group for children whose parents have cancer. Call Marisa at 713-792-6826 for meeting times/dates and to determine eligibility. Visit the CLIMB web page
Where: Place ... of wellness, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Marisa Minor, L.C.S.W.; Amy LaMarca, L.M.S.W.; Jeannette Kolarik, L.M.S.W.

*Clase de Relajación para Pacientes y Familiares
Tecnicas de autohipnosis y relajacion por Aida Molano, L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T., AAC.
Segundo martes del mes. Tecnicas de relajacion y autohipnosis de 3:30 p.m. a 5:00 p.m. Primer piso del Rotary. Patient Guest Relations, 1600 Holcombe Blvd., Jesse H. Jones Rotary House. Por favor llame si hay algun cambio al 713-794-4700.
Cuarto miercoles del mes. De 4:00 p.m. a 5:00 p.m. Place ... of wellness. Por favor llame por si hay algun cambio 713-794-4700.

*Relaxation Class for Patients & Families
Techniques on relaxation and self-hypnosis. Times subject to change. Call 713-794-4700.
When: 

• 2nd Wednesday of the month, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Place ... of wellness, Main Building, Floor 1, R1.2000
• 4th Tuesday of the month, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Jesse H. Jones Rotary House, 1600 Holcombe Blvd.

Facilitator: Aida Molano, L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T., A.A.C.

Employees with Cancer Support Group
For more information call the Anderson Network: 713-792-2553
When: 3rd Friday of the month, noon – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Main Building, Floor 11
Facilitator: Social Work and Employee Assistance Program

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: Place ... of wellness, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitator: LaShan Archie, L.M.S.W. 713-792-0762

Heads Up: For Head & Neck Cancer Patients & Their Caregivers
This support group includes an educational presentation and peer support. Refreshments will be provided. Call 713-792-6195.
When: 1st Thursday of each month, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Main Building, Floor 10, near Elevator A, Daffodil Lobby
Facilitators: April Greene, L.M.S.W.; Wendy Griffith, L.M.S.W.; Alicia Rubel, L.M.S.W.; Kimberly Unger, L.M.S.W.

Hospitality Apartments Support Group
For information, call Camille Blundell at 713-794-1465, or Kelly Kyler, L.M.S.W. 713-794-1154.
When: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m
Where: Hospitality Apartments
Facilitator: Camille Blundell, L.M.S.W.; Kelly Kyler, L.M.S.W.

Is There Someone Out There Like Me?
A support group for M. D. Anderson patients aged 18-25 in active treatment. Lunch is provided. For information, call Christine Durlam, 713-792-7628 or Amy LaMarca, 713-792-7145
When: 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, noon – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Kim's Place Media Room, Main Building, Floor 2, near The Park
Facilitators: Christine Durlam, L.M.S.W.; Amy LaMarca, L.M.S.W.; Sujin Ann-Yi, M.A., L.M.F.T.; Elsa Morse, M.Ed., C.C.L.S., Child Life Specialist

Melanoma Patient & Caregivers Support Group
For more information call Christine Durlam, 713-792-7628 or Ginasenda Rodriguez, 713-745-8515. 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
Facilitators: Christine Durlam, L.M.S.W.; Ginasenda Rodriguez, L.C.S.W.

*Men Only
For information call Bill Cutshall: 713-899-1680.
When: 2nd Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road
Facilitators: Chaplains Steve Thorney, M.Div.; Bill Cutshall

Ovarian Cancer Support Group
Must call 713-563-4552 to RSVP.
When: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Place ... of wellness, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Alycia Hughes, LMSW; Mary Fitzgerald, M.A.

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: Katie Jennings, L.M.S.W.; and APN for Leukemia

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

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: Place ... of wellness, 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 

Stem Cell Transplant Caregivers Support Group
Weekly support for caregivers of post-allogeneic/MUD stem cell transplant patients. For more information, call Ann Axelard, LMSW, at 713-792-7027; or Lisa Norman, R.N., at 713-745-1895.
When: Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Main Building, Floor 8, near Elevator B, R8.1517
Facilitators: Ann Axelard, L.M.S.W.; Lisa Norman, R.N.

Support Group for Depression & Anxiety
If you are suffering from depression and anxiety come to our group! We will be using CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) focuses on building positive thinking skills and reducing negative thought patterns.
When: Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. – noon
Where: Place ... of wellness, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, ACB2.1041
Facilitators: Rose Lefeber, L.M.S.W. 713-794-1778

*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, L.C.S.W., 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.