Support for You

Breast cancer can be scary and confusing, both for those diagnosed and for their friends and family. It’s important to have a strong support network to help with the physical and emotional demands of the disease. Remember, you are not alone. There are many support services available to assist you on this journey, including:

• 1-877 GO KOMEN, a free breast care helpline offering professional support services to anyone with breast health and breast cancer concerns, including breast cancer patients and their families.
• The Co-Survivor section of Komen’s national website, where friends and family members can share tips and advice, and read personal stories from others who have been in similar situations.

Local Breast Cancer Support Groups

Charlotte County

Cancer Survivor's Network - 877-333-4673 or www.acscsn.org

Celebrate Life Ladies Cancer Support Group - PGI Civic Association Building, 205 Shreve St., Punta Gorda Isles, FL, meets first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. followed by lunch. Contact Peggy Megiel at 941-575-7266 or Jill Brown at 941-637-7825.

FORCE - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered- www.facingourrisk.org

I Can Cope Cancer Education - Classes held at Fawcett Memorial Hospital's H2U Center. Contact June Davis 941-629-1181 x6716.

Look Good Feel Better - For women in active treatment. Meets first Monday of each month. Must register at 1-800-ACS-2345.

PinkPal - One-on-one peer support program via e-mail for women 18-45 at high risk for breast cancer. Contact www.BeBrightPink.org.

Reach to Recovery - Breast Cancer Information and support.  Contact Beverly Clayton, American Cancer Society, 941-627-3000.

Uplifters-Breast Cancer Support Group - Meets first Saturday of each month September through May. Contact Beverly Clayton, American Cancer Society, 941-627-3000

Collier County

Naples:

Bosom Buddies-Breast Cancer Support, Inc. - 4330 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112, 239-417-4600, breast cancer and lymphedema support group meets 7 p.m. second and last Wednesday of each month. Telford Building, 350 Seventh Ave. N., Second Floor; third Wednesday. Call for details.

CAN (Cancer Alliance Naples) - 733 4th Ave. N, Naples FL, 2nd Floor, 239-436-HOPE (4673). Cancer survivors and caregivers group meets every Wednesday from 2-3:30 p.m. at CAN Resource Center with Ellen Harris, LMHC facilitating. 

Cancer Support Group - Unity Church, 2000 Unity Way, Naples, 239-261-5848, meets first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Lymphedema Support Group - www.lymphedemaresources.org.  Contact Claire Hauenstein at 239-992-4965.

PinkPal - one-on-one peer support program via e-mail for women 18-45 at high risk for breast cancer. Contact www.BeBrightPink.org.

Survivor and Friends Cancer Support Group - NCH North Naples Hospital, Brookdale Center, 11190 Healthpark Blvd., Conference Room C, Naples, FL 239-552-7203, Tuesdays from 3- 4 p.m. Contact Therese Richmond at 239-552-7203.

FORCE - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered- www.facingourrisk.org

Marco Island:

Marco Island Cancer Support Group - 917 N. Collier Blvd., Naples, FL 239-642-8800, first and third Thursday of each month, 10:30 a.m.

Lee County

Ft. Myers:

Breast Cancer Before 40-Not Too Young to Fight Support Group - Regional Cancer Center, 8931 Colonial Center Dr., Ft. Myers, 239-343-9500, 4th Tuesday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m. Register with Dara Leichter at 239-343-9543.

Breast Cancer Support Group - contact Bonnie Beaulieu (239-936-2316) at The Radiology Regional Cancer Center, 3680 Broadway, Fort Myers, meets at 6:00p.m. monthly on the last Monday of the month.

Caregivers Support Group - Regional Cancer Center, 8931 Colonial Center Dr., Ft. Myers, 239-343-9500, meets second Wednesday of each month, 4:30-6 p.m. Contact Mark Geisler at 239-343-1126.

Cancer Support Group - Villas Civic Association Building, 2306 Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL, 33907, meets every Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m. Contact Pat Noe, 239-938-9393, 21st CenturyCare.org

FORCE - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered- www.facingourrisk.org

Group Healing Experience - Center for Mind Body Therapy, The Terraces, 8660 College Parkway #230, Ft. Myers, FL 33919 Contact Dr. Jeanette Bevilacqua at 239-433-1403.

Lymphedema Support Group (through May) - www.lymphedemaresources.org, Regional Cancer Center, 8931 Colonial Center Dr. Ft. Myers, 239-343-9500, meets second Saturday of each month, 10:30- 12:00. Contact Claire Hauenstein at 239-992-4965.

PinkPal - one-on-one peer support program via e-mail for women 18-45 at high risk for breast cancer. Contact www.BeBrightPink.org.

Women's Cancer Support Group - Regional Cancer Center; 4th-floor conference room, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 2:15p.m. to 3:45 p.m. You must register with Marie Hepp at 239-343-9511.

Yoga - Regional Cancer Center, 8931 Colonial Center Dr., Ft. Myers, 239-343-9500, every Friday from 10- 11 a.m. $5/ class for cancer patient or primary caregiver. Must register in advance.