Optimizing the quality of life for all people  living with cancer.
Upcoming Programs
Our Winter Catalog is out! View it online to access a full listing of our classes, presentations, and support group meeting times and locations.

Online registration is ongoing. All classes and support groups are FREE for patients, survivors, and caregivers.
Ongoing Classes


Combatting Chemo Brain at EvergreenHealth
Tuesday, Feb 18, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Are you struggling with concentration, name recall, or keeping track of things following your cancer treatment? This presentation will highlight the nature of cognitive difficulties cancer patients face after treatment and discuss current research findings, resources and practical tips for how to improve memory and cognition.
Facilitator: Easter Ho, ND, IFMCP

Addressing Fears of Recurrence at Overlake Medical Center
Wednesday, Feb 19, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Do the fear and anxiety of having a cancer recurrence hold you back from the life you wish to live? Join us to learn simple strategies for managing the fear and uncertainty that come with having had a cancer diagnosis.
Facilitator: Ada Pang, MS, LMFT

Benefits of Laughter at Virginia Mason Cancer Institute - Seattle
Wednesday, Feb 19, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
It doesn’t matter if it’s real or fake, research shows laughter to be a truly powerful medicine for strengthening the immune system, reducing cortisol levels, increasing growth hormone levels, endorphins, and much more.
Facilitator: Carrie Horwitch, MD, FACP, MPH

Riding Cancer's Emotional Roller Coaster at UW Medical Center - Northwest
Saturday, Feb 22, 1 - 2:30 pm
Living with the uncertainty, fear, anxiety and sadness that often accompany a cancer diagnosis can leave us feeling undone and out of control. Come learn skills and strategies for coping well with the roller coaster of emotions that come along with living with cancer.
Facilitator: Denise Krouse, MC, LMHC, MDST

Healthier Breakfast at UW Medicine - Valley Medical Center
Saturday, Feb 22, 2 - 4 pm at Merrill Gardens, 104 Burnett Ave S., Renton
In this class we will discuss healthy alternatives to the foods you are already making for breakfast. You’ll learn how to make simple, quick, filling, flavorful and nutritious foods to get your days started right.
Facilitator: Katrina Gangsaas, BSN, Nutrition Educator

Immune Boosting Foods at Virginia Mason Cancer Institute, Federal Way
Learn how to boost your immune system through thoughtful nutritional choices.
*NOTE: The class location has changed. The class will now be held in the Administration Conference Room. The Administration Conference Room is located on the 2nd floor to the right of the Olympic Suite and across the hall from Administration.
Facilitator: Marilyn Walls, M.S

Metastatic Cancer: Coping with Grief through Art at the Dorothy O'Brien Center
Wednesday, March 11, 2 - 4:30 pm
When living with the uncertainty of life in treatment and beyond, you may be searching for meaning and grieving for the life you’ve lost. In this workshop, we will go through a series of creative prompts to support your grieving process.
Facilitator: Pamela Krueger

Chair Yoga at Highline Medical Center
Wednesday, Mar 18, 12 - 1 pm
Heard about all of the incredible benefits of yoga but have never taken a class? Come learn about the basics of chair yoga and the positive health benefits that regular practice can offer. Open to patients and caregivers. All ability levels encouraged.
Facilitator: Ann Ford, Registered Yoga Teacher, CES

We welcome patients, caregivers, friends, family members and survivors to attend programs at any and all of our locations .
Speakers announced for Breakfast with Friends 2020
We are pleased to announce that there will be two speakers at this year's Breakfast with Friends to be held on Thursday, April 23 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center.

"It's important to speak to both the head and the heart when it comes to Cancer Lifeline's work," said Executive Director Joseph Yurgevich. "These two speakers bring a wealth of information and experience to these two important aspects in anyone's cancer journey."

Bonnie McGregor, Ph.D will focus her remarks on the impact of emotional support programs on cancer outcomes and improving the quality of life. Dr. McGregor is a psychologist and former researcher for Fred Hutch, and is the principal of Orion Center for Integrative Medicine.

"It's an act of strength to ask for help," said Dr. McGregor. "Today, our healthcare system treats the disease of cancer, instead of working to heal the whole person before, during, and after treatment. Once cancer patients realize they need to treat the whole body and connect on numerous levels - through better nutrition, gentle exercise, support groups, therapy - the quality of their lives improves."

Morhaf Al Achkar, MD, Ph.D., practices Family Medicine wtih UW Medicine and is an Assistant Professor with the AIMS Center, University of Washington, Psychiatry & Behaviorial Sciences. A Stage 4 lung cancer survivor, he is also the author Roads to Meaning & Resilience with Cancer. Learn more about Dr. Achkar in this recent KUOW FM interview.

"Patients with cancer need support in finding meaning while living life and dealing with mundane day-to-day concerns," said Dr. Al Achkar. "They deserve space to support them as they redefine who they are continue to author their narratives."
PLEASE JOIN US
Breakfast with Friends
Thursday, April 23, 2020
6:45 - 9:00 AM
Bell Harbor Conference Center
Cancer Lifeline's signature event, Breakfast with Friends, raises needed funds for our Patient & Family Support Fund, thus assuring that all our programs remain free and accessible to all people living with cancer.

Join us for educational speakers and open discussion in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Group is open to those diagnosed with lung cancer and their family and friends.

In Kirkland at EvergreenHealth – Halvorson Cancer Center, Conference Room, Green 1270/1272

Facilitated by Sandra Johnson, MSW, LICSW
1st Tuesdays, 6:30-8 pm
Mar 3 & April 7
Cancer Lifeline applauds KEXP FM 90.3 and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy Center and invites people to participate in Music Heals Beyond Cancer on Thursday, February 13. From 6 am to 6 pm, deejays John Richards, Cheryl Waters and Kevin Cole will share songs and stories from listeners who have been affected by cancer. To share your stories, email stories@kexp.org.
Happy Valentine's Day from Cancer Lifeline
My heart is in your hands,
collage by Susan Miller, 2019
My Poor Heart
Not neglected really, but
with all the excitement and
drama in other parts of my body,
its not an organ
I think about as much.

My other heart though -
the one that sings,
has been broken,
and has been resilient from day one,
that heart has many stories to tell.
Another day.


~ Janet Hassleblad, When I think about my heart
We hold you in our hearts.
Happy Valentine's Day
With love, your friends at Cancer Lifeline