Support Groups are an important aspect of cancer therapy.  Patients undergoing radiation therapy in our Department have access to a wide variety of programs and workshops which provide support, education and empowerment to patients and their families. 

GENERAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS - LOCAL
(partially adapted from San Diego Cancer Navigator)

Patient and Family Support Group
Moores UCSD Cancer Center
3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA
Frequency: Every Monday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Moores UCSD Cancer Center, Conference Room 3106
Registration: Please call to register for this group. Danielle Casden, Ph.D. (858) 822-5240
Overview: Obtain emotional support and practical advice from others going through similar experiences with cancer. Share and learn ways to manage the challenges of cancer and treatment; enhance relationships, reduce isolation and improve communication.
Moores Cancer Center Support Website

Caregiver Support Group
Frequency: Every Monday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Moores UCSD Cancer Center, Conference Room 3108
Facilitators: Steven Hickman, Psy.D.
Registration: Please call (619)543-6470 to register
Overview: Get emotional support and practical advice from others going through similar experiences with cancer. Share and learn ways to manage the challenges of cancer and treatment, enhance relationships, reduce isolation and improve communication. For your convenience, this class meets at the same time as the Patient Support Group.

Grupo Esperanza - Spanish Speaking Patient Support Group
Frequency: 2nd Wednesday of every month, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Moores UCSD Cancer Center
3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA
Facilitator: Mercedes Garcia-Mohr, LCSW (858) 822-6201 and Sara Feinstein (619) 326-1712
Registration: To register or for more information, please call Mercedes Garcia-Mohr at (858) 822-6201or Sara Feinstein (619) 326-1712.
Overview: "Hope Group" - "Grupo Esperanza" is a monthly support group for Spanish-speaking cancer patients. Following the discussion, participants will be led through a guided imagery relaxation exercise.

Wellness and Relaxation Group
Frequency: Every Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Moores UCSD Cancer Center
3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA , Room 3108
Facilitator: Danielle Casden, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Registration: Call (858) 822-5240 to register or with any questions.
Overview: Enhance well being and learn tools to reduce stress, tension and anxiety

American Cancer Society (ACS)
2655 Camino del Rio N. Ste. 100
San Deigo, CA 92108
619.682.7415      
I CAN COPE is an educational series and individual class sessions are held throughout San Diego County for cancer patients and their families. Please call for locations and times.

BRAIN TUMOR SUPPORT GROUP
The San Diego Brain Tumor Foundation (SDBTF)
852 5th Ave., 2nd Floor  San Diego, CA 92101  619.515.9908
The San Diego Brain Tumor Support Group meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30p.m. at Kaiser's Point Loma Medical Facility: 3250 Fordham San Diego, CA 92110 in Building A, Conference Room #1. The meeting is open to patients, family members and caregivers. You don't have to be a Kaiser member to participate. For more information call Peggy at 858.272.6565.

Caring Community-Living With Cancer
285 North El Camino Real, Ste. 218
Encinitas, CA 92024
619.291.0473 Ext. 183    Cancer Support Group for Family and Friends: Come share your experience and gain support from others! It is free and open to all. Support group is every Monday from 4:30pm - 6:30pm. Please call to register.
Caring Community-Living With Cancer (CCLC)
Kearny Mesa, San Diego, CA
619.682.2663
Weekly Participant Groups: Facilitated by Ellen Jacobs, Ph.D. A forum for ongoing support as participants face the challenges of living with a cancer diagnosis. These weekly groups meet for two hours and are facilitated by specially trained psychotherapists. Through these groups, cancer patients learn to better manage the anxiety and uncertainty of the disease. Group members can develop new coping skills and support each other in dealing with the day-to-day issues that accompany a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Group meets Mondays from 11-1p.m.

Caring Community-Living With Cancer (CCLC)
La Mesa, CA
619.682.2663 Weekly Patient Group is a forum for ongoing support as participants face the challenges of living with a cancer diagnosis. Cancer patients learn to better manage the anxiety and uncertainty of the disease. Also they develop new coping skills and support each other in dealing with the day-to-day issues that accompany a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Group meets Thursday from 10-12p.m. Please call, registration is required.

Kaiser Permanente
4647 Zion Ave.
Chemotherapy Ste., 2nd floor
San Diego, CA 92120
619.528.6651 Chemotherapy Class: educates patients and families about chemotherapy and how to have a greater sense of control and a feeling of well being throughout treatment. Offered to Kaiser patients only and taught by the chemotherapy nursing staff. Classes are held every other Saturday. Please call Oncology reception desk to register.

Kaiser Permanente- Hospice
10992 San Diego Mission Rd., Ste 3601
San Diego, CA 92108
619.641.4100 Otay Mesa- 8 session focus group on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10-11:30 am. Please call for beginning session dates and additional information. 4650 Palm Ave. San Diego, CA 92120.

Palomar Pomerado Health
Escondido/Poway, CA
760.739.3943 or 858.613.4044 Times, dates and locations vary for support groups. Please call the Cancer Resource Center for details

Palomar Pomerado Health
555 East Valley Pkwy
San Diego, CA 92025
760-739-3943 A support group for men and women confronting any cancer diagnosis. Please call to register or for more information.

San Diego Cancer Center
910 Sycamore Ave., Ste. 220
Vista, CA 92081
760.598.1700 Cancer patient support group meets monthly on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 2-3:30pm. Call Michele A. Rodgaard, LCSW to register.

San Ysidro Health Center (PODER)
4032 Beyer Blvd
San Ysidro, CA 92173 General cancer support group meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of every month from 11:00-12:30pm. This support group is open to patients, family members, friends, and caregivers. For more information please call Tina Fisher the facilitator at 619.407.7639. Sponsored by Scripps Cancer Center and San Ysidro Health Center.

Scripps Cancer Center
Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas
354 Santa Fe Dr.
Encinitas, CA 92024
858.626.6756 Friend to Friend: a general cancer support group for patients, family and friends. The group meets on 1st and 3rd Thursday from 6:30-8:30pm at Scripps Memorial Hospital, Encinitas in the activities room of the rehab unit. Facilitator Babs France, please call for registration

Scripps Cancer Center
Green Cancer Center at Scripps Clinic
10666 N. Torrey Pines Rd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.554.8533
Friend-to-Friend: a general cancer support group for patients, family, and friends. Support group meets monthly on the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 2-3:30pm. The group is open to patients, family and friends. Call Tom Friedman, LCSW for information.

Scripps Cancer Center
San Ysidro Health Center
404 Beyer Blvd.
San Ysidro, CA 92024
619.407.7639
Friend-to-Friend: a general cancer support group for patients, family, and friends. Support group meets monthly on the 2nd and 4th Mondays, 11-12:30pm at the San Ysidro Health Center. Facilitator is Tina Fisher, LCSW

Scripps Cancer Center
Scripps Mercy Hospital
4077 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619.260.7189 Friend-to-Friend: a general cancer support group for patients, family, and friends. Support group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 6:30-8:00pm. Group meets at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Guest Dining Room 1. Facilitators: Dawn Atkins, RN and Shelley Luciano, LCSW.

Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion
3075 Health Center Dr.
San Diego, CA 92123
858.939.5004 New Diagnosis Class: Covers stress management, side effects of treatment, disability, health insurance, anxiety, depression, and complementary care. Meets every Wednesday at 10-11:30. To learn more about this class or to register, please call Terri Wyatt.