Support Groups

Support groups provide a time and space for patients and family members to discuss feelings, concerns, and attitudes in a caring atmosphere. Attendees of these groups are able to share their journeys, thoughts, concerns in a supportive environment. The groups are facilitated by licensed social workers and other members of your support care team.

Support Groups  

MD Anderson offers support groups facilitated by licensed social work counselors for patients and caregivers. These sessions provide an opportunity for patients, family members and friends to meet others in similar circumstances, develop new relationships and find out how others cope during this time of increased distress.

How to sign up

Patients and caregivers are asked to RSVP ahead of time and include their name, medical record number (if an MD Anderson patient or caregiver), and group preference for attendance. The facilitator will reach out to them and send a Zoom invitation within an hour before the support group starts.

Patients/caregivers can then either log in via Zoom on their own computer or use the phone number provided in the email.

General Patient Support Group:

• Fridays at 10 a.m.
• RSVP to Paige Falcon at PEFalcon@mdanderson.org.

Spanish Support Groups

• Mondays at 4 p.m. (Patient group for Spanish speakers)
  RSVP to Lilian Rodriguez at LRodriguez12@mdanderson.org.
• Mondays at 2 p.m. (Caregiver group for Spanish speakers)
  RSVP to Lilian Rodriguez at LRodriguez12@mdanderson.org.

Caregiver Support Groups:

• Thursday afternoons (time varies, please contact group facilitator below)
• RSVP to DJ Fomby at DJFomby@mdanderson.org
  

Cancer Survivorship Groups:

• Wednesdays at 12 p.m.
  
• RSVP to Traci Newsom at TMNewsom@mdanderson.org.
  

Additional Groups:

MD Anderson also offers several support groups for specific ages, demographics, diagnoses, etc. Groups with an asterisk are open to both patients and caregivers:

• Advance Care Planning Group - Plan for your Care
  • Interactive group to learn about the importance of planning for future healthcare needs.
  • Offered in Main Campus, Mays Clinic, Houston Area Locations and Zoom
  • For more information, contact SWACPGroup@mdanderson.org    
    
• Brain Tumor Support Group, part of the BEST (Brain Tumor Education and Support Together) program*
  • Second Wednesday of each month at 12 p.m. (noon)
  • RSVP to Ari Murphey at ADMurphey@mdanderson.org.
  • Click here to view the flyer.
• Circle of Hope (grief support group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one within the past two years)*
  • Circle of Hope meets periodically throughout the year. If you are interested in joining the next open session, please contact Cindy Parker at CLParker3@mdanderson.org.
• Coping with Breast Surgery & Reconstruction Support Group
  •  Second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m.   
    
  • RSVP to Arewa Banjoko at AABanjoko@mdanderson.org.
• Endometrial Cancer Support Group
  • Second Wednesday of each month at 12 p.m. (noon)
  • RSVP to Jackie Garza at JGarza3@mdanderson.org.
• Healing Through Writing (Using expressive writing prompts to enhance coping)*
  • Second Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m.
  • To register, call the Integrative Medicine Center at 832-750-3685. After registering, patients must fill out a liability waiver and telemedicine consent form in MyChart at least 48 hours before their first scheduled class. The instructor will email a link to the class within 24 hours of its start time.
  • Questions: please contact Melanie Cavazos at mcavazos@mdanderson.org      
• Meaning-centered Support  Group
  • For patients with Stage IV cancer (all diagnoses)
  • Session start April 1, 2025 and will meet every Tuesday for eight weeks from 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
  • RSVP to ECHyland@mdanderson.org.
• Men's Support Group
  • Second and fourth Thursday of each month at 12 p.m. (noon)
  • RSVP to Thomas Verm at TVerm@mdanderson.org.
• Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group
  • Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
  • RSVP to Abbey Kaler at ABCProgram@mdanderson.org.
• Mindfulness for Beginners
  • Second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m.
    
  • If you have any questions, please contact AskTLCStaff@mdanderson.org 
    or call 713-745-8063.
• Ovarian Cancer Support Group
  • Second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.
    
  • RSVP to Alycia Hughes-McKissack at AHughes@mdanderson.org.
• Phase 2 Phase One (for patients enrolled in a clinical trial)
  •     Third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m.
  • RSVP to Sophie Ortega at SOrtega11@mdanderson.org.
• Prostate Cancer Support Group
  
  • Third Thursday of the month at 3PM
  • RSVP to Haley Fountain at HFountain@mdanderson.org.
• Radiation Oncology Support Group*
  • Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
  • RSVP to Helen Wu at HWWu@mdanderson.org.
    
  • Click here to view the flyer.
• Spiritual Caregivers Support Group (Open to All Caregivers)
  • Last Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. via zoom
  • RSVP to SpiritualCaregiversSupportGroup@mdanderson.org
• Stem Cell Transplant/Blood Cancer Support Group*
  • Second and fourth Friday of the month at 2 p.m.
  • RSVP to John Lugo at JPLugo@mdanderson.org.
• Support Group for Caregivers of Young Adults (Young adults are ages 18-39)
  • Second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
  • RSVP to Heather DeRousse at HMDerous@mdanderson.org.
• Young Adult (ages 18-39) Support Group
  • Second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
  • RSVP to Wendy Griffith at WEGriffith@mdanderson.org.

* This group is open to both patients and caregivers.

Web Series:

• The ABC's of Healthy Living in Challenging Times Web Series: The Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Program and Clinic invites all MD Anderson patients and caregivers to participate in the virtual webinar series “The ABCs of Healthy Living in Challenging Times.” This multidisciplinary weekly virtual webinar series will focus on topics such as diet, exercise, sleep, mental health, telemedicine, and much more. Please join us for a virtual community and tips for maintaining healthy living during these challenging times. RSVP to Abbey Kaler at ABCProgram@mdanderson.org or visit here for more information.
• Active Living after Cancer (ALAC) is a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) funded program. The program aims to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors in Houston and El Paso by promoting physical activity, and by providing navigation services for survivorship issues. The program consists of 12 weekly sessions, followed by a reunion at the conclusion of the program. Each session is comprised of cognitive and behavioral skills training related to increasing physical activity, a guided discussion on a survivorship topic, and short bouts of moderate physical activity. The program is free of charge, and each participant will be provided a pedometer and a resistance band, that they may keep, to help them reach their physical activity goals. For more information click here. 

For more information on any of the support groups listed above, please contact Social Work at 713-792-6195.