Cancer Education and Support Groups
We offer patient guides, webinars, support groups and classes to help you:
- Learn about treatments such as chemotherapy and cell transplant therapy.
- Learn about living your best life after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
- Connect with other patients and families coping with cancer.
- Ease stress through yoga and mindfulness.
Patient guides
- Introduction to Transplant Therapy | Download PDF
- When Your Stem Cells Come from a Donor | Download PDF
- About Immunotherapy | Download PDF
- Cytotoxic Chemotherapy | Download PDF
- Managing Symptoms and Side Effects After Transplants | Download PDF
- Introduction to CAR T-Cell Therapy | Download PDF
- Transplant and CAR T-Cell Therapy – Staying in the hospital | Download PDF
- Transplant and CAR T-Cell Therapy – Your care in the clinic | Download PDF
- Nutrition for Transplant and CAR T-Cell Therapy | Download PDF
Webinar library
Blood cancer patients
- What Blood Cancer Patients Need to Know About COVID-19 | Lynne Strassfeld, M.D.
Bone marrow/stem cell transplant patients
These webinars are designed to help patients who've had a bone marrow/stem cell transplant live their best life.
Questions? Topics you'd like to see discussed? Email us at BMTSurvivorship@ohsu.edu.
- Managing the Stress of the Holidays | Susan Hedlund, M.S.W., LCSW, OSW-C
- Complementary medications and supplements | Aaron Pham, Pharm.D.
- Staying active before, during and after a bone marrow transplant | Kerri Winters-Stone, Ph.D.
- Medical marijuana and stem cell transplantation | Joseph Bubalo, Pharm.D.
- Sexual health for the female transplant survivor | Lisa Egan, PA-C
- Sexual health for the male transplant survivor | Matt Keeslar, PA-C
- Ocular graft-versus-host disease: current and future therapeutic options | Winston Chamberlain, M.D., Ph.D.
- Your mouth and graft-versus-host disease | Joel Epstein D.M.D., M.S.D.
- Introduction to graft-versus-host disease | Eneida R. Nemecek, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.
Support groups
There is no cost to take part in a support group or writing group.
Men affected by prostate cancer can find counseling, emotional support, information and a chance to meet others. Participation is free, and people may join any time. Family members are welcome.
Groups begin with introductions and announcements. When speakers attend, they speak for about 45 minutes and then take questions. The last half-hour is saved for participant discussion.
When: 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month
Where: This group meets online. You may join by video conference or phone.
Contact: Gregory Rainey, LCSW, C-SWHC, at 503-494-9244 or email rainey@ohsu.edu
Facilitators:
- Gregory Rainey, LCSW, C-SWHC, oncology social worker
- Rachel Slottke, clinical research project coordinator, prostate cancer research
- Justina Lynch, RN, nurse coordinator, prostate cancer clinic
This program connects prostate cancer patients and volunteers by telephone. Volunteers, who may have had similar experiences, listen and offer support. To be connected with a volunteer, call 503-494-6117.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays
Where: Classes meet online. Register to receive a link, meeting ID and meeting password.
Register: Registration is required. Email Ryan Voelker atvoelkerr@ohsu.edu .
Facilitator: Ryan Voelker
When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays
Where: Classes meet online. Register to receive a link, meeting ID and meeting password.
Register: Registration is required. Email Dawn Thompson at dawnrenethompson@gmail.com or call at 503-568-6145.
Facilitator: Dawn Thompson
This group is for people ages 15 to 39. Workshops use the Amherst Writers & Artists method to create a safe, relaxed, confidential and uplifting environment to connect with yourself and others through the written word. This is not a workshop where you will learn to write, but you do not need writing experience to take part.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Classes meet online. Participants receive a link, meeting ID and meeting password.
Facilitator and contact: Dawn Thompson
Mindfulness and yoga classes
Adults healing from cancer, and their caregivers, are welcome to attend.
When: 10-11 a.m. every Thursday and Friday
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Facilitator and contact: Kimberly Carson, M.P.H., C-IAYT, at carsonk@ohsu.edu
This course is based on a national model and decades of research showing that mindfulness can help cancer patients reduce pain, fatigue and anxiety while improving sleep and quality of life. Classes include instruction, practice, group discussions and education. Participants receive a workbook and recordings for home practice. Adults healing from cancer, and their caregivers, are welcome.
When: Eight-week sessions begin in January, March and September.
Where: Online
Cost: $150 (reduced from $400 thanks to a donation)
Facilitator and contact: Kimberly Carson, M.P.H., C-IAYT, at carsonk@ohsu.edu
This class welcomes adults who are healing from cancer and who are at least six weeks post-surgery. You will find a supportive environment for gentle stretching, breathing exercises, strength building and deep relaxation with guided imagery.
When: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Online
Cost: First year free; possible nominal fee after that.
Registration and release forms: These signed forms are required. Have them completed by your oncologist and sent to Kimberly Carson at carsonk@ohsu.edu
Facilitator and contact: Email Elaine Cohn at elaine@onewithwellness.org
Patient advocacy
Prostate Cancer Patient Advocacy Group: This group of patients works to increase research and awareness across Oregon through fundraising, and legislative and educational efforts. To get involved, call 503-494-6117.
Learn more
Call Andrea Lehman, who supervises our adult oncology social work team, at 503-418-9758.
Read about our cancer social work services.