Support Series / Staying Connected
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Gynecologic cancer patients, survivors, friends and family are invited to join us for our virtual support programs facilitated by our Patient Support team.
Staying Connected launched in the early, isolated days of the pandemic, in order to provide those diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer with a place to meet others, feel supported, and gain a sense of community. An initial weekly Zoom meeting facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker evolved into a comprehensive nationwide program of weekly and monthly online gatherings, offering invaluable connection and support. Registration is required.
Weekly Sessions — scroll down for group descriptions, and to register
- Living Well after Recurrence, Mondays at 1PM ET
- Endometrial and Uterine Cancer, Mondays at 3PM ET
- New Diagnosis, Tuesdays at 1PM ET
- Loved Ones, Wednesdays at 3PM ET
- Evolving Hope, Fridays at 1PM ET
Monthly Sessions — scroll down for group descriptions, and to register
- Express Yourself, one per month on select Thursdays at either 3PM ET or 7PM ET
- Book Club, one per month on select Tuesdays at 3PM ET
- Young Adults, one per month on select Tuesdays at 7 PM ET
Special Sessions — scroll down for group descriptions, and to register
- Identity After Cancer: Who Am I Now? 8-week series, Mondays March 4-April 22 at 7PM ET
- Giving Voice to Grief: Bereavement Program, closed 12-week group, Wednesdays at 7PM ET
Weekly Sessions
Living Well After Recurrence: Mondays at 1PM ET
Join us for a weekly psychoeducational support session, facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, for those diagnosed with a recurrence of a gynecologic cancer who want to connect with others about navigating options, integrative therapies, quality of life, and strategies for living well after recurrence.
Endometrial and Uterine Cancer: Mondays at 3PM ET
Join us for a weekly psychoeducational support session, facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, for those diagnosed with endometrial and uterine cancer who want to connect with others with their diagnosis.
New Diagnosis: Tuesdays at 1PM ET
Join our weekly psychoeducational support session facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, for those newly diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, or those who have completed front-line therapy. Discussions focus on navigating diagnosis and treatment, coping with treatment symptoms, completing therapy, and finding a new normal.
Loved Ones: Wednesdays at 3PM ET
Support for partners, spouses, parents, adult children, and friends.
Evolving Hope: Fridays at 1PM ET
This weekly psychoeducational support session, facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, is for those diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, and focuses on themes that include goals of care, advance care planning, legacy-making, and dying well.
Please note: Evolving Hope will not meet on March 29 due to the Easter holiday. Group will resume on April 5.
Monthly Sessions
Young Adults
Meet other young adult survivors to discuss care and share support. This group will be held on select Tuesdays monthly at 7 PM ET.
Monthly Express Yourself Series
Each month OCRA hosts an Expressive Arts session that will provide an opportunity to create, explore, and share. Meetings are 90- minute sessions via Zoom, facilitated by two Oncology Social Workers – Tracy and Nancy. Each month’s session will include a themed therapeutic activity combined with discussion.
We send links upon registration and resend links the day of the event. Please call us at (212) 268-1002 if you have not received the link in advance of the session.
Please note: the registration deadline for any US participants is one week prior to the date of the session. The deadline for any international participants is two weeks prior to the date of the session.
OCRA’s Express Yourself series is generously sponsored by AstraZeneca, GSK, Merck, and GRAIL.
April 18, 3 pm ET: “Illuminations”
Join us on Thursday, April 18 at 3 pm ET for our April Express Yourself! The theme of the session is “Illuminations”. The deadline to register for US participants is Thursday, April 11; for international participants, the deadline is Thursday, April 4.
Book Club
Please join us for a monthly facilitated Book Club to provide a space to reflect and connect around a shared reading. Sessions will be 90 minutes and are open to individuals who have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Each month’s book selection will be mailed to registered participants in advance of the session. Participants should come to Book Club having read the selected book and ready to share thoughts and reflect on the book’s themes.
Please note: in order for participants to receive the selected book in the mail prior to the session, the deadline for any US participants is one week prior to the date of the session. The deadline for international participants is two weeks prior to the date of the session.
April 23, 3 pm ET: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
Join us on Tuesday, April 23 from 3-4:30 pm ET for our April book club session. We will be discussing the book Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. Please come to the session having read the book and prepared to discuss. The deadline to register for US participants is Tuesday, April 16; for international participants, the deadline is Tuesday, April 9.
Special Sessions
Identity After Cancer: Who Am I Now? Mondays at 7PM ET
We are hosting a special 8-week series focusing on different aspects of identity. Each week will have its own topic focusing on specific components of life, with an overarching theme of redefining oneself after diagnosis. Participants will share experiences about the various changes and challenges that occur after a cancer diagnosis. You may choose to attend any or all eight sessions. Registration is required for each week. The series will run weekly on Mondays at 7 PM ET, starting on March 4 and ending April 22, 2024.
April 1: Fertility
Fertility is an important aspect of one’s identity. With loss of fertility comes a change in life and family planning. This session will be a safe place for those whose gynecologic cancer diagnosis has spurred a change in fertility to freely discuss their experience.
April 8: Parenthood and Caregiver Responsibilities
This session will explore how one cares for others when they may be in need of support and care themselves.
April 15: Career and Education
Whether you are a full-time student or working a full-time job, your career becomes a part of your identity. For some, diagnosis can change the direction of your future. This could mean leaving a job, taking a break from school, or working through treatments. This session will be an open conversation about these career changes and the resulting impact on sense of self and purpose.
April 22: Rediscovering Self
This session will provide an opportunity to share who you are and who you want to be. We invite you to discuss the evolution of oneself in life and after cancer.
Community Agreements
Community Agreements have been developed to protect the sanctity and privacy of these groups:
- Please register in advance for each session*
- Please plan on attending the group from the start through the entire program (once group has begun no further members will be able to join)
- Please attend the group in a private and quiet setting, and plan to remain on video for the duration of the meeting
- Please protect members’ confidentiality
- Please respect all members and offer feedback without judgement or negativity
*We recommend you register at least 24 hours in advance, but no later than 15 minutes in advance of the session. Your meeting link will be provided upon registration. If you have not received your meeting link by the morning of the session, please contact ehynes@ocrahope.org during business hours for assistance.
Support Group calls are held via Zoom Pro.
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