Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Announces Upcoming Support Groups

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.

• Alcoholics Anonymous. Meeting held in the Main Conference Room, second floor, Sundays, 7-8:15 p.m.

• Breast Cancer Support Group. Open to all women with breast cancer regardless of stage of treatment. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of every month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 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. in the Weatherby II Conference Room. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.

• Diabetes Support Group: Held the First Wednesday of every month, 5-6 p.m., in the Main Conference Room, second floor. Facilitated by Alicia Walter, registered dietitian and nutrition educator. Contact Michelle Holmgren at (413) 967-2296.

• Expressive Writing Through Cancer. This 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 p.m. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.

• General Cancer Support Group. 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.

• Hepatitis C Support Group. For meeting dates and times, contact John Helin at (413) 575-6064.

• Partners in Caregiving. An early-evening support group for caregivers of people with cancer. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month, 5-6:30 p.m. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.

• Look Good Feel Better. This two-hour program is 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 during the challenges associated with cancer treatments.  Contact Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker, at (413) 967-2245.