A new cancer support group will begin meeting on Monday, January 9 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. This support group will provide patient and family support to those diagnosed with Lymphoma or a blood-related cancer. The group will meet on the second Monday of the month at the Picker Family Resource Center located at 3 Glen Cove Drive, Suite 2 on the Pen Bay Medical Center campus in Rockport.

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is a crisis of major proportions, even in the strongest of families. Too often, however, the physical aspects of the disease overshadow its emotional impact. Fear and worry are common to all folks diagnosed with cancer. For some, joining a group with others who are on the same journey is one of the best ways to confront and combat the fear. Social and emotional support helps reduce the feeling of being alone. Support groups offer a source of strength, understanding and learning.  Others going through the same difficulties become allies. Hearing other view points and sharing experiences also help group members develop their own coping skills.

At this support group, members can check in and share information with one another and receive valuable resources and education from the group leaders. The leaders are Vicki Harriman, RN, MSW a long time member of the healthcare community who has lived with lymphoma for 8½ years and Kristin Robinson-White, LMSW-CC, who has worked for many years as a social worker for Pen Bay’s Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice.

There is no cost to join the group, but space is limited. Please call Vicki Harriman, RN to register at 691-0629.

The Picker Family Resource Center is located between the Women's Health Center and Urology Building on the Pen Bay Medical Center campus, 3 Glen Cove Drive, off Route 1 in Rockport. Use the parking lot and door nearest the Urology side of the building. Call 596-8950 for directions if needed.