Cancer Support Groups

Jersey Shore University Medical Center's Cancer Program offers many types of support groups that serve cancer patients and their significant others. The group members find solace in sharing their feelings, experiences, and concerns with those who can best understand them — others who have gone through similar experiences.

The objectives are to provide support and to promote an open communication of thoughts and feelings in a confidential and non-judgmental atmosphere. Sharing strength and hope can lead to new friendships, healthy support systems, and ongoing knowledge, all of which enhance healing.

All support groups are held in the Cancer Center Conference Room on the 1st floor of the Ambulatory Care Pavilion at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Breast Cancer Support Group
This group is designed for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The group meets on Tuesdays as scheduled, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All sessions are facilitated by Mary McCarthy, MSW, LCSW, CADC. Guest speakers will start promptly at 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on designated dates.

• Session 4: June 23rd, June 30th, July 7th (Guest Speaker: Shyla Daniels, Nutrition and Breast Cancer), July 14th, July 21st (Guest Speaker: Betty Paulus, RN, OCN, CBPN-C, Hormone Therapy), and July 28th (Guest Speaker: Natalie Billie, Cancer Fatigue & Exercise)



• Session 5: August 18th (Guest Speaker: Laura Zimmerman, RN, MA, Alternative Therapies), August 25th, September 1st (Guest Speaker: Laura Zimmerman, RN, MA, AromaTherapy), September 8th, September 15th, and September 22nd.



• Session 6: October 13th, October 20th, October 27th, November 3rd, November 10th, and November 17th



• Session 7: December 8th and December 15th

For further information, meeting cancellations, or to confirm dates, please call Betty Paulus, RN, OCN, CBPN-C, at
732-776-4508.

After Hours Breast Cancer Support Group
As a convenience for working women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, this group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., by appointment only. All sessions are facilitated by Barbara Ferguson, MSW, LSW. For further information, meeting cancellations, or to confirm dates, please call Barbara Ferguson at 732-776-2380.

The Younger Generation Cancer Diagnosis Support Group
This unique group is designed for those aged 20 to 45 who have been diagnosed with all types of cancer. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. All sessions are facilitated by Barbara Ferguson, MSW, LSW and Ann Hopkins, MSW, LCSW.

2009 Remaining Meeting Schedule

• July 7th (In addition to the 6:00 p.m. meeting, there will also be a speaker during the day from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on Nutrition, feel free to attend)



• (Additionally speakers will be during the day from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on July 21st on Hormone Therapy, July 28th on Cancer Fatigue & Exercise, and August 18th on Alternative Therapy)


• August 4th



• September 1st (In addition to the 6:00 p.m. meeting, there will also be a speaker during the day from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on AromaTherapy, feel free to attend)



• October 6th



• November 3rd



• December 1st

For further information, meeting cancellations, or to confirm dates, please call Betty Paulus, RN, OCN, CBPN-C, at 732-776-4508.

Partners in Healing Information Session
This group provides informational sessions to spouses or significant others of patients diagnosed with cancer. The goal of these sessions is to help understand the journey ahead and how the patient's lifestyle will change. group meets on the third Tuesday of every month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. All sessions are facilitated by Barbara Ferguson, MSW, LSW and Ann Hopkins, MSW, LCSW.

2009 Remaining Meeting Schedule

• July 21st



• August 18th



• September 15th



• October 20th



• November 17th



• December 15th

For further information, meeting cancellations, or to confirm dates, please call Betty Paulus, RN, OCN, CBPN-C, at 732-776-4508.

Coping with Chemotherapy
This group is for patients and/or their families and caregivers currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Call 732-776-2346 for more information. ** By Appointment Only

Young People Have Feelings Too
This group is open to children that have family members with cancer. This group runs for eight consecutive weeks. Call 1-888-538-8314 for more information. ** By Appointment Only

Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Support Group
This group is for women diagnosed with cervical, ovarian, endometrial, or uterine cancer. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All sessions are facilitated by Mary McCarthy, MSW, LCSW, CADC. Guest speakers will start promptly at 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on designated dates.

2009 Remaining Meeting Schedule

• July 7th (Guest Speaker: Shyla Daniels, Nutrition and Breast Cancer)



• July 21st (Guest Speaker: Betty Paulus, RN, OCN, CBPN-C, Hormone Therapy



• July 28th (Not a scheduled meeting, but feel free to attend the lecture by Natalie Billie, Cancer Fatigue & Exercise)



• August 4th



• August 18th (Guest Speaker: Laura Zimmerman, RN, MA, Alternative Therapies)



• September 1st (Guest Speaker: Laura Zimmerman, RN, MA, AromaTherapy)



• September 15th



• October 6th & 20th



• November 3rd & 17th



• December 1st & 15th

For further information, meeting cancellations, or to confirm dates, please call Betty Paulus, RN, OCN, CBPN-C, at
732-776-4508.

Inner Circle Support Group
This group is open to any patient diagnosed with cancer and/or their families and caregivers. The group meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., by appointment only. Call 732-776-2380.

Metastic and Recurrent Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group
This group is designed for women diagnosed with metestatic or recurrent breast, ovarian, cervical, endometrial, or uterine cancer. This group meets on the third Tuesday of every month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., by appointment only. All sessions are facilitated by Barbara Ferguson, MSW, LSW. For further information, meeting cancellations, or to confirm dates, please call Barbara Ferguson at 732-776-2380.