Knowledge and support for the fight against cancer.

We designed the West Michigan Cancer Center to be a comprehensive resource for you and your family. Here you’ll find a wide range of contemporary information and helpful support services specifically created for patients, family members and caregivers.

Community Resources

American Cancer Society

Call the community service center at (269) 349-8719 or 1-800-465-5244 about the following programs: Reach to Recovery A one-to-one visitation program for women who have recently had breast cancer surgery. Volunteers fully adjusted to their surgery are carefully selected and trained. Look Good...Feel Better In association with cosmetology professionals in the community; helps you cope with treatment side effects that change your appearance, such as hair loss.

Anxiety Control Group

Meets Tuesdays, 6-8 PM. Free, open to the public. Call DeLano Clinic, (269) 226-5600.

Borgess Pipp Health Center Breast Cancer Support Group "Just Ours"

Meets 4th Tues. of the month, 7-9 PM, Borgess Pipp Health Center, 411 Naomi St., Plainwell, in Conf. Rm. 1. Call Morry Edwards at 375-2222.

Breast Cancer Survivor Support Group

Meets last Tuesday of each month, Oaklawn Hospital's Bear Creek campus, 15209 W. Michigan Ave. in Marshall (site of Oaklawn's Outpatient Psychiatric / Psychological Services & Partial Hospitalization Program), from 5-7 PM (except for October, 6-8 PM). Meetings are free, usually led by survivors, feature snacks, info, sharing & camaraderie. Carolyn Curtis 269-781-2429 or ccurtis@iserv.net or Marilyn at 269-781-9119.

Cancer Patient Small Christian Community

Patients only; spiritual focus; meets 2nd Thursday of month, 6-7:15 PM, 6347 Westshire, Portage. No charge. Ph. Rosemary Cotter, St. Catherine of Sienna, (269) 327-0861, ext 120.

Gilchrist

(Three Rivers, MI) Call 269-244-1130 or visit www.fetzer.org/Gilchrist/index.htm.

Gilda's Club

(Grand Rapids, MI) Call 616-453-8300 or visit www.gildasclubgr.org.

Grief Support Groups

	Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Groups are open to the community and include general groups, Partner Loss Workshop, Parent Loss Support Group, Grieving Parents Support Group, Children/Teen Grief Moving Foward, an educational/recreational support group for widows/widowers 65 years of age and under. Call 269-345-0273 for more specific information.
	Contact : 269-345-0273

Kalamazoo Speak Easy Club (Laryngectomee Support Group)

Meets 10 AM monthly, every 3rd Sat. at Oakwood Neighborhood Assoc., 3320 Laird Ave., Kalamazoo, near Oakland & Parkview. For information call Tom Cleveland at 343-0363.

Lifeguard

Cancer support for patients / family / friends. Meets 1st Thurs. of the month, 7 PM, Radiation Oncology Bldg. at Battle Creek Health System Outpatient Services Bldg. Donna Shouldice (269) 966-8134 or Trish Thompson, (269) 966-8628.

Look Good, Feel Better Program

Open to all past and present cancer patients and a caregiver. 4th Monday of the month. Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Location: West Michigan Cancer Center Lower Level. The Look Good-Feel Better Program provides free information and cosmetic advice to women battling cancer. This training includes hands-on instruction in make-up and skin care. Cosmetics are provided for your personal makeover. Caregivers are welcome to attend but will not receive a kit. To register, call 269-349-8719.

Contact : American Cancer Society: -269-349-8719

Lymphedema Support Group

Hosted by Mastec Women's Boutique, for women with post mastectomy / lumpectomy lymphedema. If you're interested, and for information call Cara or Inga, 269/373-6223 or 1-800-469-0143.

Malignant Mesothelioma

	http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/mesothelioma.htm
	Contact : Jennifer Williamson - jenniferw@mesojournal.com

Morningstar Adventures, Inc.

(Leroy, MI) Call 231-768-4368 or visit morningstarretreatcenter.net.

Patient-to-Patient Program

Connects patients who have undergone treatment with others who are undergoing treatment to share experiences. If you would like to volunteer to participate in this program, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the West Michigan Cancer Center, 269/373-7434.

Support Group for Women with Disabilities

Meets at the Disability Resource Center, 517 E. Crosstown Parkway, on Tuesdays from 11 AM-12:30 PM. No charge. Contact Mona at 345-1516, ext. 33.

Three Rivers Cancer Support Group

Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7 PM, Three Rivers Area Hospital, Conference Rms. A-B. No charge. For survivors, family, friends. Contact Joan Lewis, 269/273-9691.

Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc.

Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. is a national non-profit organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals. We are dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends. We also sponsor Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, year-round awareness activities, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.

Contact : http://www.thyca.org

Transformations Spirituality Center

Nazareth, MI (Kalamazoo) 269-381-6290

Although contacts and phone numbers listed for these community resources are checked for accuracy on a periodic basis, changes may occur. If you’d like to receive updates via e-mail, call Cindy Murray, MSW at 373-7446 or Marybeth Peters 373-7450 to have your name added to our e-mail list.

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