Support Groups
Diabetes Support Group meets monthly (September to June) at Heywood Hospital. A speaker presents a specific diabetes topic at each meeting.
Meeting Time:
Mondays, 6 to 7 pm, and Wednesdays, 2 to 3 pm.
Location:
Gardner,
Call:
Information: Call Doug Miller, RN, CDE, at 978-630-5719.
Members of the Gastrointestinal Support Group share information about issues related to gastrointestinal cancers that include colorectal, esophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancers. Friends and family members are welcome.
Meeting Time:
Thank you for your interest. We are currently revising the meeting schedule for this group. Stay tuned for updated information.
Location:
UMass Memorial Medical Center - Ambulatory Care Center, 6th Floor Healing Garden (behind elevators)
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center offers two support groups for patients living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), along with their parents and siblings. IBD is a chronic illness affecting the digestive system. Symptoms of the disease can be especially challenging for children and their families, leading to children with IBD being at a higher risk of developing psychosocial issues. Our groups are supported by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and are led by health care professionals from the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology. In addition to offering moral support from peers and caregivers, our IBD support groups participate in healthy cooking classes and discussions on transitioning to college, fundraisers, and volunteer efforts.
Support groups are held:
First Thursday of every month
5 pm
Tri-River Family Health Center
281 East Hartford Avenue
Uxbridge, MA 01569
Third Thursday of every month
6:30 pm
UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus
Benedict Building – Stress Reduction Room, 2nd Floor
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
Meeting Time:
Location:
Tri-River Family Health Center, 281 East Hartford Avenue, Uxbridge, MA
UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, 55 Lake Avenue North,
Worcester, MA 01655
A mind/body medicine group that meets once weekly for an hour and a half to practice complimentary care therapies including tai chi, restorative yoga, guided imagery and deep breathing exercises. Patients, family members and friends, cancer center staff as well as interested medical students are welcome.
Meeting Time:
Thank you for your interest. We are currently revising the meeting schedule for this group. Stay tuned for updated information.
Location:
UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, Ambulatory Care Center – 5th floor, behind the elevators
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
UMass Memorial Medical Center hosts kidney (renal) and pancreas transplant support groups to help you and your family members before, during, and after transplant. Participants do not need to be UMass Memorial patients to attend.
Organ Transplant Support at UMass Memorial
Whether you are waiting for your transplant or have already had surgery, it is very important to have support all along the way from different people and groups. Read about the value of a support group and how you can make the most of it.
The UMass Memorial Kidney Pancreas Transplant Support Group is facilitated by transplant social workers and offers you and your care provider monthly guest speakers talking about a variety of topics related to kidney and pancreas transplant. But just as importantly, our group is a forum for supportive sharing and spontaneous conversation among you and participants. Give-and-take discussions often touch upon:
- Nutrition
- Medical compliance
- Medications
- Financial support options
- Family relationships
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Attitudes toward illness
You do not have to be UMass Memorial patient to attend. Light refreshments are provided.
UMass Memorial also hosts a separate support group for kidney transplant patients who are actively seeking a donor. Call for more information.
*Schedule exceptions:
- July: No meeting
- August: Summer BBQ Potluck & Open Discussion
- December: Gift of Life Celebration instead of regular meeting. The group also hosts a small holiday gathering; dates to be decided.
Meeting Time:
First Wednesday of each month* 4:30 to 6 pm
Location:
UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus Transplant Conference Room, Level A
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
Call:
Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Clinical Social Worker, 508-334-1269
No registration or RSVP is required. Call with any questions.
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