Cancer Lifeline Support Groups & Classes |
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All classes and support groups are FREE for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Check out our website for online access instructions and current program listings.
Here is a selection of featured upcoming programs:
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Register Today for May-Aug Classes & Support Groups
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All classes and support groups are FREE for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.
Click here for a downloadable pdf of our current catalog.
Check out our website for access instructions and current program listings.
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A Note from the Executive Director |
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First things first, despite double checking and then re-checking the work, I managed to miss out on recognizing and thanking one of our most dedicated and wonderful Fundraising Champions!
My apologies to Peggy Sturdivant and the Writing for the Moment team for not being included in last month's message of gratitude for the great work accomplished on behalf of our Fundraising with Friends campaign. I want to extend our love and belated appreciations to this amazing and talented team and their fearless leader for doing such an excellent job supporting our annual FWF fundraising campaign! You were amazing!!
Pictured above: Peggy Sturdivant
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Today, I also need to share some transition news for Cancer Lifeline…
After 11 amazing years, Meghan Wilkins Melanson, Program Director extraordinaire, office-mom, reliable confidante and a true friend will be stepping down from the Program Director position to give her more time to expand her private counseling practice.
*Pictured above: Farewell Staff lunch with Meghan
Our sadness is eased knowing that Meghan intends to stay connected with Cancer Lifeline as a consultant, albeit, with far fewer hours.
It’s a huge consolation and one in keeping with what we have come to expect from Meghan; a kind clear-eyed directness, grace, resolve and optimism. A reminder of how we have been truly blessed to get to work with Meghan for such a lengthy stretch and that we will be forever grateful for her contributions to our agency, and community-as well as being grateful that our connection will continue.
Our team at Cancer Lifeline have collectively agreed that we will not replace the Program Director position at this time. With such a talented and steady program team, we will use this opportunity to increase everyone’s responsibilities, titles and yes, salaries. We’ll all be taking what we have learned from Meghan over the years and will work collectively to ensure that our programs remain exemplary.
There is excitement in the air about this transition, as well as a healthy dose of trepidation, but we know we can do this!
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Monthly Blog: Establishing Healthy Boundaries for Self-Care by Mary Ellen Shands, MS, RN |
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Living with cancer can challenge even our strongest relationships and create additional tension and stress in our conversations with caregivers, family, and friends. Thinking about our own needs and the needs of others can help clarify how we move forward in our relationships and support our own self-care. Preparing yourself for conversations can help in preventing you from feeling caught off guard. Below are some strategies to help you get yourself prepared.
Questions to ask yourself in advance:
What information do I want to share and not share with this person? This is a personal choice, and the answer may depend on who you are talking with.
Am I mentally and emotionally grounded and ready to talk with this person?
Put yourself in the best position possible to feel calm and in control of the conversation. Before the conversation, clear your head by taking a walk, deep breathing, yoga, etc.
What do I want from this conversation?
Spend some time thinking about how you want to feel and what you want to walk away from this conversation with. Read More.
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Lifeline Volunteer Training- We Need You! |
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We are hosting an upcoming training for one of our most important programs and how Cancer Lifeline Started 50 years ago. Our telephone Lifeline (and Lifeline Chat) provides emotional support and resource referrals to anyone who is living with cancer - patients, survivors, friends, family members, caregivers, and co-workers -- every Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.
Volunteers must be comfortable listening to profound emotions and have the ability to be a good listener, provide non-judgmental support and understand that listening does not equate to giving advice or trying to fix some aspect of the situation. If you think you might be interested in volunteering and participating in the upcoming training this August, Email Blair or call (206) 832-1290.
"It's the satisfaction of doing something that truly helps. By actively listening, I provide the space needed for clients so they can openly process their experience in a safe and supportive environment." ~ Robin, current Lifeline Volunteer
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Welcome to Cancer Lifeline's
New Support Group Facilitators
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Our support groups are a core part of our emotional support programming and each of these groups is professionally facilitated by a someone with master’s level education in social work, counseling, or nursing,
familiar with the environment of cancer treatment. The facilitation is designed to make it possible for anyone who attends to have their needs for connecting with others in similar situations met in meaningful ways. Having been virtual since the beginning of the pandemic, we maintain a sense of safety in the virtual space partly by allowing everyone to be able to see each other, just as we would if sitting around a table. You will soon see some new facilitators on Zoom.
Occasionally, and in general very occasionally, one of our current facilitators moves on or reduces their time facilitating, and this creates an opening for us to welcome in someone new after expressing our gratitude to the current facilitator. In May, we welcomed five new support group facilitators at once. We invite you to welcome each of them as they begin their time facilitating a group you might attend:
Israt Audry, LSWAIC, will be facilitating the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Living with Cancer Support Group that meets the first and third Wednesday of each month from 11am-12:30pm, for much of the summer, with Michelle Massey also continuing with this group with some time off this summer. Israt works in oncology and has experience supporting a wide range of ages.
Sarah English, MSW, will be co-facilitating the Living with Metastatic Cancer Support Group that meets on the second and fourth Saturday morning each month from 10am-Noon, with long-time facilitator Denise Krouse, each of them facilitating one meeting per month. We are grateful to Denise for her many years of dedication and care for this group and continuing after her own retirement. Sarah has worked in many aspects of caring for older adults and in oncology.
Caroline Hedreen, LICSW, will be facilitating the EvergreenHealth Bosom Buddies Cancer Support Group that meets the third Wednesday of each month from 9:30-11:30am. Caroline has worked in palliative care for many years and is currently working in oncology. We also thank Marcia Robbins, LICSW for facilitating this group along with the Caregiver Support Group, which she will continue to facilitate.
Carolyn Maret, LICSW, will be facilitating the Ovarian Cancer Support Group that meets the third Saturday of each month from 11:30am-1pm, following Maureen Sweeny Romain, who has long facilitated this group with deep care and we thank her with much heartfelt gratitude. Carolyn is also a member of our counseling team. Carolyn has worked on oncology, palliative care, and long-term care settings.
Kristin Slotemaker, LICSW, will be facilitating the EvergreenHealth Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Support Group that meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30-8:30pm, following Kari Hilwig, who we thank deeply for her facilitation of this group. Kristin has broad experience in several medical contexts, along with her group facilitation experience.
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Sponsor Spotlight: Northwest Medical Specialties |
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Thank you to Northwest Medical Specialties for their ongoing support of Cancer Lifeline. Northwest Medical Specialties offer South Sound residents compassionate, experienced and innovative treatment in cancer care. They are among the regional leaders in clinical trials, allowing patients access to cutting-edge treatment otherwise unavailable in the area. They are also members of the Cancer Clinics of Excellence. Northwest Medical Specialties are conveniently located in Olympia, Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, and Bonney Lake.
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Our Sponsors Make It Possible
Cancer Lifeline is grateful for the leadership and support of the following sponsors:
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Cancer Lifeline thanks myMDadvocate and Dr. Susan Baumgaertel for their ongoing support. myMDadvocate is a virtual consultation service serving patients as an advocate, guide, advisor, coach, resource, consultant, collaborator, educator, navigator, and partner.
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We are grateful & thank Jeannie & Bruce, one of Cancer Lifeline's long-time supporters for their ongoing support and sponsorship.
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We are grateful for the support of members of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center organization on so many levels - for our current Board Directors who are on the staff at Fred Hutch: Bethany Murphy, Joanna Diallo, and Reetu Ghumman, and for so many informative presenters over many years.
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We began our formal hospital partnership with Overlake Medical Center in September of 2017, but our relationship reaches back to 2004 when Cancer Lifeline had office space in Bellevue. We are grateful for Overlake's ongoing support of our events.
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We appreciate Multicare who have been caring for Pacific Northwest communities since 1882. They are dedicated to providing vital health and wellness services to individuals and families from all walks of life.
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One of Cancer Lifeline's hospital partners, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has locations in both downtown Seattle and Federal Way. Cancer Lifeline is grateful for Virginia Mason's sponsorship of our events.
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Over 18 years ago, Cancer Lifeline was invited to host a support group at EvergreenHealth. That was just the beginning of our strong partnership. Cancer Lifeline thanks Evergreen for their continued support.
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Freestone Capital, an independent wealth and advisory firm, returns this year as an event sponsor. Our thanks to Cancer Lifeline Board Director and Treasurer Bobby Gentry.
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Mercer joins Cancer Lifeline again year as a 2023 event sponsor thanks to the stewardship of Board Director Elizabeth Zech.
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Cancer Lifeline thanks wealth advisor, D A Davidson as an event sponsor. Our thanks to Advisory Board Member Jane Caron for her leadership.
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The Commerce Bank of Washington has been supporting Cancer Lifeline since 1995. Several bank staff members have served on our Board, including former TCBW staff, Steven Gerlock and Susan Finneran, who now sits on our Advisory Board. We are grateful for The Commerce Bank of Washington's ongoing partnership.
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We have counted on ROI Technology Inc. to keep us safe, secure, and active on the internet since 2015. Cancer Lifeline salutes ROI Technology for their ongoing support of our events.
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Dedicated to promoting the economic benefits of life science business and research for Washington state's economy and patients around the world, We Work for Health seeks to educate our elected leaders, the news media, and the communities they serve about these key contributions. Cancer Lifeline welcomes We Work for Health Washington back as a sponsor.
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We are grateful for the steadfast support of Lilly as a sponsor of our fundraising events over the years. Our thanks to Advisory Board Member Nate Miles.
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(formerly Cornerstone Advisors) has been a steadfast sponsor of Cancer Lifeline's events. Our thanks to Cancer Lifeline Advisory Board Member Dave Drews and Pathstone for their continued leadership.
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Thanks to the leadership of former Board Director Ben Hicks, Cancer Lifeline thanks Soundmark Wealth Management for their support as one of our sponsors.
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We thank Genentech as one of our sponsors. While this biotechnology corporation is committed to advancing science for the greater good, they are also committed to supporting our local cancer community.
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One Dog Media helps businesses with website design that reinforce brand identity, e-commerce solutions, graphic design and more. We thank Lisa Oliver, in-kind sponsor, for this important work that allows us to reach and stay connected with the people we serve.
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Inquiries regarding opportunities to sponsor events and programs can be directed
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