Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Announces Support-group Schedule

WARE — Facing a major illness or stressful life change can be a daunting prospect. Although support and self help groups can vary greatly, all groups share one thing in common: they are places where people can share personal stories, express emotions, and be heard in an atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, and encouragement.

Facilitators and participants share information and resources, and people in a support group strengthen and empower others as well as themselves. Baystate Mary Lane Hospital recently released its 2012-13 support-group schedule:

• Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held in the main conference room, second floor, on Sundays, 7-8:15 pm..
• Aphasia Conversation Group is for family members and patients who have difficulty communicating following a stroke, head injury, or other neurological problem. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the BMLH Rehabilitation Department. For more information or to register to attend, contact Natalie Sheridan, speech therapist and speech-language pathologist, at (413) 967-2180.
• Breast Cancer Support Group is open to all women with breast cancer, regardless of stage of treatment. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of every month, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.
• Circle of Angels, a Quilting Support Group for People Who Have Been Touched by Cancer, meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.
• Diabetes Support Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 5 to 6 p.m. in the BMLH Main Conference Room, second floor, facilitated by Alicia Walter, registered dietitian and nutrition dducator. Contact Michelle Holmgren at (413) 967-2296.
• Expressive Writing Through Cancer, a guided topic-driven group for those experiencing cancer, is open to all cancer diagnoses. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.
• General Cancer Support Group is open to all cancer diagnoses. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.
• For meeting dates and times of the Hepatitis C Support Group, contact John Helin at (413) 575-6064.
• Partners in Caregiving is an earlyevening support group for caregivers of people with cancer. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month, 5-6:30 p.m. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967- 2245.
• Look Good Feel Better Program is a two-hour program held every three months for women who are undergoing cancer treatment currently or within the last 12 months. The program focuses on skin- and nail-care tips, scarf and wig tips, and makeup tips, along with challenges associated with cancer treatments. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967- 2245.