Support Groups

Being well is about more than keeping our bodies healthy or undergoing physical treatment for our illnesses. Being well is also, to a great extent, about how we feel. Support groups give patients and their families an outlet for the feelings and emotions that may emerge as health issues arise. Support groups also provide a forum for learning from another patient's experiences or for sharing one's own story. Northwest Hospital & Medical Center offers a variety of support groups for people facing cancer, heart disease, and grief.

Better Breather's Club (Lung Club)
(for persons, families and friends affected by chronic lung disease) This monthly support group provides support and information about chronic lung disease. It is affiliated with the American Lung Association of Washington.

Offered: Second Monday of each month, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Call 206-368-1769 for more information.

Cancer Lifeline Programs at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center The following support groups are offered in partnership with Cancer Lifeline. Cancer Lifeline provides a unique array of services – from support groups and classes to activities and presentations – aimed at optimizing the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors, families, and friends. Support groups are held on the Northwest Hospital campus in the Professional Building, Suite 3. Call (800) 255-5505 or (206) 297-2500 for more information or to register. You can also register online at www.cancerlifeline.org. To confirm specific support group meeting dates, call (206) 832-1297.

Brain Cancer Support Group If you have been living with the effects of brain cancer and would like to meet with other survivors, family and friends, this group is for you. We welcome people with a primary diagnosis of brain cancer as well as those with brain metastases. No registration necessary. Offered every second Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Facilitated by Megan Swan, MA, PhD Candidate; Lauren Shelly, M.A. Clinical Psychology Breast Cancer Support Group This free support group is open to all breast cancer patients, especially those who are newly diagnosed and undergoing treatment. Group members do not need to be receiving care at Northwest Hospital to attend. Although there is no set agenda, meeting topics often include: adjusting to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment; the effects of breast cancer on family and friends; and coping with the demand of work and home during treatment. No registration necessary. Offered every first and third Wednesday of the month from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Facilitated by Kathleen Albin, MA; Beth Murphy, MA, PsyD Candidate Colorectal Support Group Have you just been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or living with it for a while? The group offers information, education and support through speakers and sharing time. Both support groups are open to survivors, family members and friends. Come to either group or both! No registration necessary. Offered every first Wednesday of the month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30pm. Facilitated by Megan Swan, MA, PhD Candidate; Anna Charbonneau, MA Gynecologic Cancer Support Group For patients diagnosed with ovarian, uterine, cervical or any other type of gynecologic cancer, their family and their friends. Fourth Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Professional Building, Ste. #3. Facilitated by Tracy Kalloway, MA; Mary Murphy, LICSW Lung Cancer Support Group Do you have a diagnosis of Lung Cancer? Have you been looking for a place to connect with others living with lung cancer? This newly established group might be just what you have been hoping for. No registration necessary. Offered every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Facilitated by Meg Sweeney, MSW; Ruth Berven, MA; Lauren Shelly, MA Visit our Events page for dates of additional classes offered by Cancer Lifeline on the Northwest Hospital campus.

Diabetes Support, Resources and Network
Join the diabetes instruction team to learn about and discuss topics such as: meal planning, blood glucose monitoring devices, weight loss, treatment for high and low blood sugars, medication management, dietary supplements, diabetes myth busters, monitoring for complications, and what’s new in diabetes research and technology.

	When:	Second Tuesday of each month 1 p.m. - 2:30 pm Third Thursday each month 7 p.m. - 8:30 pm
	Where:	Diabetes education classroom/TCU dining room
	Register	Call 206-368-1564 or click here to register online.

Mended Hearts
(for cardiac patients, family members and health professionals)
This group provides help in coping with the emotional aspects of recovering from heart diseases, and an opportunity to offer personal insights to help others in the coping process.

Offered: Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Call 206-368-1564 for more information.

Stroke Support Group
This group for adults, their families and caregivers meets on the third Saturday of the month in the Northwest Hospital Easy Street section of the Rehabilitation Center, from 12:30 -- 2:30 pm. For more information, call (206) 361-2696.

Weight Loss Surgery Support Groups
Our monthly support groups provide an opportunity to interact with other post-operative weight loss surgery patients and discuss the physical and emotional changes following bariatric surgery. Our support groups are open to patients from other practices and individuals researching bariatric surgery. Call (206) 368-1350 for more information. For dates to upcoming support groups, click here.

Groups are held in the TCU Auditorium from 6:30-8pm.