Support Groups

"I once looked up 'support' in the dictionary. It says: 'To carry the weight; To maintain position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping; To be able to bear - withstand; To keep from falling or yielding during stress; To furnish corroborating evidence; To aid the cause of by approving, favoring, or advocating; To take action.'  What a wonderful definition! Believe me, every single word applies to the experience of belonging to a cancer patient support group."   Vickie Girard, There's No Place Like Hope

Purpose:

To create a safe, respectful and welcoming environment in which a woman can come to understand herself better, find her own emotional healing, learn some techniques to improve the quality of her life and gain from the perspectives and knowledge of other survivors. These sessions are intended to help women cope with the rigors of this disease. They are not group therapy sessions.

Why Join a Support group?

The Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) models its support groups on those conducted at Stanford University School of Medicine by Dr.David Spiegel.  Research studies found that these support groups improved participants' quality of life and in some cases prolonged life. 

"My group has continued to meet for eight years, since our initial start at the BCRC.  Through it all we've stood together, giving ourselves and each other powerful insights into the mystery that is our lives." - Client

Pre-registered and Open Support Groups

The BCRC offers two basic types of support groups, pre-registered and open.

Pre-registered support groups are for recently diagnosed women who have completed any surgery and/or adjuvant treatment and another group for long-term survivors in ongoing treatment.  As the name indicates, registration is required.  These groups are limited in size and meet weekly for eight sessions. Co-facilitators guide sessions. Each of the eight sessions devotes time to emotional expression (in the form of a support circle), tools for pain and stress relief, and getting to know other survivors. Recently diagnosed groups typically meet on Tuesday nights in Austin.  The long-term survivors in ongoing treatment participants determine their meeting time. The open groups use a support circle format that is the same as that of the pre-registered groups and participants of all groups are welcome, as is any breast cancer survivor.

How do I get more Information or Register?

• Recently Diagnosed Support Circle- This group is for anyone recently diagnosed with any stage of breast cancer. Participants may or may not have had surgery or other treatment.  The group meets on Tuesday evenings from 6-8:30 pm.  Pre-registration is necessary. Please contact Dianna Petrick, Director of Volunteer Services at (512) 544-0905, dianna@bcrc.org for more information.

• Stage IV Metastatic Support Circle – This group is for newly-diagnosed and long-term survivors of advanced, metastatic breast cancer. The group meets formally on Wednesdays at 10:45 am and on the last Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm. In addition, informal potlucks and other events are scheduled periodically that include participants’ friends and families. Please contact Ray Anne Evans, Director of Client Services at (512) 544-0904, rayanne@bcrc.org for more information.

• Welcome Wednesday Drop-in Support Circle - This group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., at St. David's Health Resource Center library.  This group is open to all women, newly diagnosed, in treatment or post treatment. Contact the Director of Client Services Ray Anne Evans at (512) 544-0904, rayanne@bcrc.org.

• Georgetown Support Group - This group, open to all breast cancer survivors meets on the third Thursday of each month 6:00 - 7:30 pm, at the Georgetown Cancer Resource Center, 2000 Scenic Drive, Georgetown. Contact Marjorie Gallece, Williamson County Coordinator at (512) 942-4689, or email mgallece@bcrc.org.

• Bethany United Methodist Drop-in Support Group - This group meets the second Monday of every month from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Please contact Director of Volunteers Services, Dianna Petrick at (512) 544-0905, dianna@bcrc.org.

• Pink Ribbon Cowgirls - This is a social network for younger survivors that meets the first Thursday and third Friday of the month at 11:30 a.m. for a luncheon.  For more information, please click here or contact Runi Limary, Coordinator of Young Survivor Services at (512) 544-0907, runi@bcrc.org.

• South Austin Support Group - This group meets the fourth Thursday of every month from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at St. David's South Austin Outpatient Rehab Clinic.  For more information, please contact Ray Anne at (512) 544-0904, rayanne@bcrc.org.