In-person Support and Networking Groups

Connecting with other survivors, caregivers and loved ones in-person can be a wonderful source of support and encouragement for those dealing with pancreatic cancer.  In-person support and networking groups offer opportunities for people with pancreatic cancer and their family members to share experiences with others.  Most in-person support groups are guided and facilitated by a professional counselor, social worker or nurse.    

The PALS program maintains a list of in-person pancreatic cancer specific support groups across the United States. 

While we do our best to keep this list up-to-date, it is not comprehensive.  We suggest calling ahead to each group of interest before attending, as some groups may require advance registration or there may be a change of time or location without notice.

ARIZONA

The Wellness Community - Central Arizona
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Group
When: Second Saturday of each month, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: 360 E Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-712-1006
Website: www.thewellnesscommunityaz.org

Mayo Clinic Hospital – Phoenix
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Group
When: This group occurs every other month
Where: Meeting times and locations vary, please contact Cheryl for details.
Where: 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Phoenix, AZ 85054
Contact: Cheryl Griesback, RN
Phone: 480-301-6990
Note: This group welcomes patients, family and friends.

CALIFORNIA

The Wellness Community - West Los Angeles
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Groups
When: Fourth Monday of each month, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Where: 2716 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 1040, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310-314-2555
Website: www.twc-wla.org
Note: There are two pancreatic cancer groups held at this time.  One group is for patients and the other is for caregivers and family members.

The Wellness Community – South Bay Cities
Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumor Networking Group
When: First Saturday of each month, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: 109 West Torrance Boulevard, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Phone: 310-376-3550
Note: Neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare type of pancreatic cancer; this group is not intended for patients with adenocarcinoma, which is the most common type.

DELAWARE

The Wellness Community - Delaware
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Group
When: First Monday of each month, 6:30 pm
Where: New Castle County Office, 4810 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
Contact:  Sean Hebbel, LCSW
Phone: 302-995-2850
Email: snycum@wellnessdelaware.org
Website: www.wellnessdelaware.org

FLORIDA

Lynn Regional Cancer Institute
Gastrointestinal Cancer Support Group
When: Second Tuesday of each month, 4:00 – 5:00pm
Where: Lynn Cancer Institute-Harvey & Phyllis Sandler Pavilion, 701 NW 13th Street, Boca Raton, FL, 33486
Registration: 561-955-5371
Note: Gastrointestinal cancer survivors and their families/caregivers are welcome to attend.

GEORGIA

Emory Winship Cancer Center
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: Emory Winship Cancer Center, Patient Family Resource Center, Conference Room #C1166B, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
Contact: RSVP to Rebecca Sizemore by telephone at 404-778-5926 or by email at rebecca.sizemore@emoryhealthcare.org.
Note: This support group is open to current patients, survivors and caregivers. A light dinner will be provided to participants. Parking is free after 6:00 pm in the valet area.

ILLINOIS

Wellness House
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Group
This group is supported by the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
When: Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Where: 131 N. County Line Road, Hinsdale, IL 60521
Facilitator: Cheryl Hurst, PsyD
Phone: 630-323-5150
Email: churst@wellnesshouse.org
Website: http://www.wellnesshouse.org/

Cancer Wellness Center
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Group
This group is supported by the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
When:  Second Thursday of each month, 6:45 - 8:30 pm
Where:  215 Revere Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062
Facilitator: Stuart Pinkwater, PsyD
Phone:  847-509-9595 or toll-free at 866-292-9355
Website: http://www.cancerwellness.org/

Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Group
This group is supported by the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
When: Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00-8:30 pm
Where: 2028 Elm Road, Homewood, IL 60430
Facilitator: Valerie Piazza, RN, MA, LPC
Phone: 708-798-9171
Website: http://www.cancersupportcenter.org

INDIANA

Cancer Services of Allen County
Whipple Procedure Group
When: Third Wednesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: Healing Arts Center, 6316 Mutual Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Phone: 260-484-9560
Website: www.cancer-services.org

LOUISIANA

Pennington Cancer Center at Baton Rouge General - Bluebonnet
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Third Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm
Where: 8585 Picardy Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Facilitator: Shelley Wintz, MSW
Phone: 225-237-1600
Email: Shelley.Wintz@brgeneral.org

Oschner Medical Center - Kenner
Neuroendocrine tumor and Carcinoid Patient Support Group
When: Twice a year, June and January
Where: Oschner Medical Center office building, 7th floor auditorium, 180 West Esplanade Avenue, Kenner, LA 70065
Contact: lanets@cox.net
Website: http://www.ochsner.org/programs/louisiana_carcinoid_net_patient_support_group/
Note: Neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare type of pancreatic cancer, and this group is not intended for patients with adenocarcinoma, which is the most common type. Light refreshments will be served

MARYLAND

Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center/Georgetown University Hospital
GI Cancer Resource and Support Group
When: Fourth Tuesday of each month, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Where: The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Conference Room, Podium A, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
Contact: Leonard Ellentruck, LICSW, 202-444-6288 or Kim Davis, PhD, 202-687-6925
Note: This group is for patients, family members and caregivers of patients with GI cancers.

Washington Cancer Institute
Gastrointestinal Cancers Support Group
When: Second and Fourth Tuesdays of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Where: Washington Hospital Center, Room C-1200, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
Contact: Miriam Ratner
Phone: 202-877-8758
Email: Miriam.L.Ratner@medstar.net
Website: http://www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=211#supportive
Note: This group is for patients and caregivers of gastrointestinal cancers including pancreatic.

MASSACHUSETTS

Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Gastrointestinal Cancer Support Group
When: This group meets monthly, usually the second Thursday of each month, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Where: Smith Building, Room 764, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115
Contact: Bruce MacDonald, LICSW
Phone: 617-632-5657
Email: bmacdonald1@partners.org
Note: Patients and caregivers are welcome. Free parking in the Smith Building Garage.

MICHIGAN

Gilda's Club Metro Detroit
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Third Wednesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: 3517 Rochester Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Phone: 248-577-0800
Website: http://www.gildasclubdetroit.org

MISSOURI

The Wellness Community – St. Louis
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: First Saturday of each month, 9:00-11:00 am
Where: 1058 Old Des Peres Road, St. Louis, MO 63131
Contact:  Charli Prather-Levinson, MSW, LCSW
Phone: 314-238-2000
Website: http://www.wellnesscommunitystl.org/
Note: This group is open to patients as well as their caregivers and family members.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Pancreatic and Biliary Cancer Support Group
When: Third Wednesday of each month, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Where: Norris Cotton Cancer Center Support Services Room, Level 3, Rubin Building, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756
Phone: 603-650-7751 or 800-639-6918
Website: http://www.cancer.dartmouth.edu/support/pancreatic.shtml
Note: Light refreshments will be provided.

NEW JERSEY

Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Third Thursday of each month, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Where: 3rd Floor Conference Room, 100 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07962
Contact: Diane Haley, LICSW
Phone: 973-971-6299

Gilda’s Club – Northern New Jersey
Pancreatic Cancer Networking Group
When: Second Wednesday of each month, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Where: 575 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Contact: Stephanie Buonarota
Phone: 201-457-1670 ext. 113
Email: stephanieb@gildasclubnnj.org
Website: www.gildasclubnnj.org
Note: This group is for both patients and caregivers.

NEW YORK

James P. Wilmot Cancer Center
Gastrointestinal Cancer Support Group
When: This group occurs monthly 
Where: Luellen Patient & Family Resource Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642
Facilitator: Patrice Rogers
Contact: Melissa Christodaro
Phone: 585-275-5908
Email: melissa_christodaro@urmc.rochester.edu
Website: http://www.stronghealth.com/services/cancer/resources/supportgroups.cfm

Note: This group is for both patients and caregivers.

NORTH CAROLINA

Duke University Cancer Center
Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Every Tuesday, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Where: Duke Clinic, Conference Room 1993 (across from Clinic 2C), 200 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710
Phone: 919-684-4497

Wesley Long Community Hospital
GI Cancer Support Group
When: Second Tuesday of each month, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Where: Wesley Long Community Hospital Education Center, 501 North Elam Ave, Greensboro NC 27403
Contact: Terry Moore Painter
Phone: 336-832-0364
Note: This group is for both patients and caregivers.

OHIO

Ireland Cancer Center
Life After the Whipple
When: Fourth Monday in April, July and October, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Where: 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Contact: Barbara Lombardo, RN
Phone: 216-844-3582

OKLAHOMA

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Oklahoma City
Southwest Program for Pancreas Cancer
Oklahoma City Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Last Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm
Where: O'Donoghue Research Building, Third Floor Surgery Research Conference Room, 1122 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117
Contact: Daniel Brackett
Phone: 405-271-2108
Email: daniel-brackett@ouhsc.edu
Website: http://w3.ouhsc.edu/surgery/pancan/index.htm

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Tulsa
Southwest Program for Pancreas Cancer
Tulsa Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Second Tuesday of each month, 6:00 pm
Where: OU Tulsa Schusterman Center, Building 1, Room 2C19, 4502 E 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135
Contact: Sally Bushong-Schultz, 918-371-2258, sbs@dschultz.net or Daniel Brackett, 405-271-2108, daniel-brackett@ouhsc.edu
Website: http://ouhsc.edu/surgery/pancan/index.htm

TEXAS

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – Houston, TX
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Fourth Wednesday of each month, 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Where: Rotary House, Room E, 1600 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030
Facilitators: Camille Blundell, LMSW, 713-794-1779, Jai Combest, LMSW, 713-794-1465, Heather Carlsom PA-C, 713-792-2828

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: Second Monday of each month, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, GI Lab Waiting Room, 8200 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75231
Facilitator: Linda Vozzella, RN, OCN
Phone: 214-345-4054

Note: This group welcomes patients, family members and friends.
Click here to see a photo of this group

Methodist Dallas Medical Center
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group
When: First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Weatherford Conference Room, 1141 N Beckley Avenue, Dallas, TX 75203
Contact: Soshana Conway
Phone: 214-947-1771

Note: This group welcomes patients, family members and friends.

VIRGINIA

Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center/Georgetown University Hospital
GI Cancer Resource and Support Group
When: Fourth Tuesday of each month, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Where: The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Conference Room, Podium A, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
Contact: Leonard Ellentruck, LICSW, 202-444-6288 or Kim Davis, PhD, 202-687-6925
Note: This group is for patients, family members and caregivers of patients with GI cancers.

Washington Cancer Institute
Gastrointestinal Cancers Support Group
When:  Second and Fourth Tuesdays of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Where: Washington Hospital Center, Room C-1200, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20010
Contact: Miriam Ratner
Email: Miriam.L.Ratner@medstar.net
Phone:  202-877-8758
Website: http://www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=211#supportive
Note: This group is for patients and caregivers of gastrointestinal cancers including pancreatic.

Tidewater Virginia Survivor’s Support Group
When: Third Wednesday of each month – times vary
Where: Thalia United Methodist Church, 4321 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Contact: Margie Sullivan
Phone: 757-499-8083
Email: sullspot@verizon.net

WASHINGTON

Virginia Mason Medical Center Cancer Institute
Pancreatic & GI Cancer Networking Group
When: Third Wednesday of each month, 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Where: Buck Medical Pavilion Level 2, Meditation Room, 1100 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-223-6954 option 1
Contact: Gina Ritchie, LICSW
Note: This group is for patients with pancreatic or other GI cancers.  Family members are welcome to attend. 

WASHINGTON, DC

Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center/Georgetown University Hospital
GI Cancer Resource and Support Group
When: Fourth Tuesday of each month, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Where: The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Conference Room, Podium A, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
Contact: Leonard Ellentruck, LICSW, 202-444-6288 or Kim Davis, PhD, 202-687-6925
Note: This group is for patients, family members and caregivers of patients with GI cancers.

Washington Cancer Institute
Gastrointestinal Cancers Support Group
When:  Second and Fourth Tuesdays of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Where: Washington Hospital Center, Room C-1200, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20010
Contact: Miriam Ratner
Phone:  202-877-8758
Email: Miriam.L.Ratner@medstar.net
Website: http://www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=211#supportive
Note: This group is for patients and caregivers of gastrointestinal cancers including pancreatic.

WISCONSIN

University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center
Gastrointestinal Support Group
When: First and third Wednesdays of each month, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Where: UW Hospital and Clinics, Room K4/318, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
Contact: Kathy Rothering
Phone: 608-263-5384
Note: This support group is for anyone affected by a GI cancer. The meetings will focus around educational presentations and mutual support. Parking is free with validation.