Community Corner
New Breast Cancer Support Group Comes to Cranberry
The Cancer Caring Center and UPMC Passavant – Cranberry offer new program.
Facing cancer is difficult for anyone.
Facing it alone could be devastating.
Knowing that, the Cancer Caring Center and are now offering a Breast Cancer Support Group starting on August 3.
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The Cancer Caring Center, based in Bloomfield, has served the community for over 20 years by providing a wealth of free supportive services for people with cancer and their families. As part of these services, they offer support groups in 17 locations.
Rebecca Whitlinger, executive director of the Center said, “After opening in 1988, we immediately saw the need to move out into the community. Pittsburghers prefer to seek services in their own neighborhoods,” she said, “Our goal is to make support convenient and accessible and our new group in Cranberry will help us better serve folks in that area.”
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The new Breast Cancer Support Group will meet 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Breast Cancer Conference Room in Building #3 at the UPMC Passavant-Cranberry location on 3 St. Francis Way. The program is free but The Center does request registration at 412- 622-1212. There is also free parking and refreshments will be provided.
Whitlinger said that The Cancer Caring Center already sponsors a General Support Group at the Cranberry location, but patients requested an additional group dedicated to breast cancer.
The new group will be lead by Jane Klimasauskas, MSCP, LPC, a counselor who specializes in counseling in women-related issues. She is the owner of Christine's Place in Zelienople. “The group can be beneficial in so many ways. Sometimes people suffering from anxiety about a situation don’t know others are feeling the same way,” she explained, “They don’t feel quite so alone.”
It is common, said Klimasauskas, for cancer survivors to keep their feelings from their families and loved ones. Having a group gives them someone to talk to about their fears and concerns.
According to Whitlinger, support groups provide a setting for survivors to share common experiences and concerns. She said that studies have shown that an emotional healing can accelerate recovery.
Other services offered by the Cancer Caring Center include screenings, professional counseling, telephone helpline, pet therapy and programming and support for children. For more information visit www.cancercaring.org or 412-622-1212.
