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Support & Resources

Wilmot Cancer Institute / Patients & Caregivers / Support & Resources / Support Groups

 

Support Groups and Community Resources

Please note: Due to COVID-19, Wilmot Cancer Institute is not hosting in-person support groups, but we have begun to shift some of our support groups to Zoom. If you are interested in finding out what is available, please contact our Wilmot Community Resource Help Line at (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@urmc.rochester.edu.  

Support groups provide opportunities to connect with others who are facing cancer and to share experiences, ideas and support with each other. Through Wilmot Cancer Institute, support groups are available for many different specific conditions. These programs are free and open to the public.

For more information about these support groups or to be added to a group's distribution list, please contact the Wilmot Community Resource Help Line at (585) 276-4708 or WilmotCommunityResHelp@urmc.rochester.edu. 

  • Adult Brain Tumor Network: For those with a diagnosis of a primary brain tumor and their caregivers. Currently meets via Zoom on a Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To register, call (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@URMC.Rochester.edu.  
  • Caregivers Group: Information and support for caregivers of individuals with any form of cancer. Currently meets via Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. To register, call (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@URMC.Rochester.edu.  
  • Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Support Group: For those with pancreatic, colorectal, liver, esophageal, stomach and other GI cancers and their care partners. Currently meets monthly via Zoom. To register, call (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@URMC.Rochester.edu.  
  • Lynch Syndrome Support Group: For those who have Lynch syndrome (a genetic predisposition to cancer) or their family members. Meets virtually from 7 to 8:30 p.m. four times in 2021: January, April, July and October. Questions about this support group can be directed to Carol Lustig, of the Herediatry Cancer Screening and Risk Reduction Program, at Carol_Lustig@urmc.rochester.edu. 
  • Melanoma/Skin Cancer Support Group: For those with melanoma or skin cancer and their care partners. Currently meets via Zoom on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. To register, call (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@URMC.Rochester.edu.  
  • Southern Tier Support Group: For cancer patients and care partners who live in the Southern Tier region. Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. 
  • Support for People with Oral, Head & Neck Cancer (SPOHNC-Rochester): The group is a local chapter of SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral, Head & Neck Cancer) for those with oral, head and neck cancers and their caregivers. Currently meets via Zoom on the first Thursday of the month (except July) from 5-6:30 p.m. To register, call (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@URMC.Rochester.edu.  
  • Young Adult Leukemia Forum Support Group: For Wilmot Cancer Institute patients ages 19 to 39 with a diagnosis of leukemia. Currently meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. To learn more or register, contact the Wilmot Community Resource Help Line at (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@URMC.Rochester.edu.  

Connection to Community Resources

A cancer diagnosis can have a major impact on your life and the lives of your family members and loved ones. A variety of free or low-cost community resources are available throughout upstate New York to help support you and your family. In addition to the programs and services Wilmot provides, we can help connect you with:

  • Local and national organizations focused on your special needs.
  • Specialized support groups and programs in your area.
  • Educational resources for you and your loved ones.
  • Information on short-term lodging.

To learn more about community resources in your area, please call (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@urmc.rochester.edu.