Area Support Groups

SARASOTA – MANTATEE – CHARLOTTE AREA SUPPORT BY CANCER TYPE:

(always call to verify times and dates)

MMHS= Manatee Memorial Hospital Programs
SMH = Sarasota Memorial Cancer Institute Thrive Programs

BLOOD:

Multiple Myeloma Support Group (SMH): Meets 4th Friday 11:00 -1:30 Online and in person at the SMH Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, 3rd Floor Conference Room. Pre-registration is required. Call 941-262-7827 to register.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society -In person and virtual group meets 3rd Tuesday from 4:00 – 5:30pm at Lee Health Cancer Institute, 8925 Colonial Center Drive, Building A – Conference Room 1036, Fort Myers, FL 33905. Register at https://na.eventscloud.com/781085

BREAST:

Sarasota – Woman to Woman Network & Education Group: Meets 3rd Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:00pm both Online and in person at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. Call Jennifer Brown, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator (941) 917-7513 or the Thrive Line at 941-262-7827.
Venice Breast Cancer Network & Education Group: Meets 2nd Thursday from 4:00 to 5:30 both Online and in person at Sarasota Memorial Venice Hospital. Call Dawn Moore (941) 408-9572 or the Thrive Line at 941-262-7827.
Bradenton-My Breast Friends 941 support group meets every second Tuesday from 6:00 -8:00 at the HCA Florida Blake Hospital H2U Health Center, 6670 Cortez Rd West, Bradenton, FL. Please RSVP to Susan Harrigan at 941-807-3357 or email mybreastfriends941@gmail.com
Moffitt Cancer Center’s Virtual Group for Metastatic Breast Cancer meets weekly on Tuesdays from 11:00 to 12:00. Call the Social Work office 813-745-8407 for information. Open to non-Moffitt patients.

GYNECOLOGIC:

Gynecological Cancer Patient Support Group at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute: Meets on 2nd Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00. Online only. Call 941-917-7827 to register.

GI and OSTOMY SUPPORT:

Charlotte County Ostomy Support Group – Meets on 2nd Tuesday each Month from 2-4 at the Family Services Center, 21500 Gibraltar, Port Charlotte, FL. Contact Ken Aukett 609-315-8115
Sarasota Memorial Hospital Ostomy Support Group – Meets on 3rd Thursday from 3-5 in the main building first floor in the Old Board Room by Auditorium. Free valet parking at Main Entrance. Call Deann Kaufman, Ostomy Nurse Navigator at 9411-917-7400.

HEAD, NECK & ORAL:

SPOHNC is a patient-directed self-help organization for Oral and Head, and Neck Cancer Patients and families/caregivers. All are welcome regardless of stage of disease or recovery. Offering information, education, and support. Meets Online only from 4:00 to 5:00 PM via Zoom (the 2nd Wednesday of each month). Contact: spohncsrq@gmail.com, Ashley Long, MS, CCC-SLP; (941) 262-1119 or Chuck Banta: (417)-860-1487

PROSTATE:

Men to Men/ Sarasota Prostate Initiative: Meets monthly on 3rd Monday at 2pm in person at TeamTony Cancer Connection 3562 S. Osprey, Sarasota, FL, AND on ZOOM. All men at any stage and their partners are welcomed. Contact: David Morse 941-356-0754
UsToo/ Sarasota Prostate Initiative: Meets monthly on 3rd Thursday at 6pm in person at TeamTony Cancer Connection 3562 S. Osprey, Sarasota, FL, AND on ZOOM. All men at any stage and their partners are welcomed. Contact: David Morse 941-356-0754
All information is available at prostatesarasota.org website

THYROID:

Sarasota Thyroid and Parathyroid Support Group. Originally started in 2007, our support group members have experience with a variety of disorders as well as cancers. We are available to help you find answers to your questions and provide support via phone, email, zoom or in person. Please contact Lisa Torres: lisatorres679@gmail.com with your questions and your contact information including telephone number.

ALL CANCERS SUPPORT GROUPS:

HCA Florida Blake Medical Center: Caring Friends Support Group – For cancer patients, families, and friends coping with cancer and treatment. The group meets every week on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 pm in the HCA Florida Blake Hospital, Dolphin Conference Room, 2020 59th St W, Bradenton, 34209. For information, call Winnie Schroeder (941) 705-4069.
Sarasota Memorial Oncology Support Group: Meets on 1st Wednesday from 1:00-2:00. Online and in person at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. Call 941-262-7827 to pre-register.
Sarasota Memorial Caregiver Support Group: Meets on 1st Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 Online and in person at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute Call 941-262-7827 to pre-register.
Sarasota Memorial Grief Support Group for Caregivers: Meets on 1st Thursday from 11:00-12:00. Online and in person at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. Call 941-262-7827 to pre-register.
Sarasota VA Clinic Veterans: Weekly in person support group for patients only at the VA Clinic, 5682 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota every Friday from 11:00 to noon, drop in. Or, join an Online virtual weekly group on Wednesdays from noon to 1:00. Call 727-398-6661, Ext 10770 to register and receive the video link.
Venice Oncology Support Group for Patients and Caregivers: Meets on 1st Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice Campus in the Garden Café, Room 2. Online and in person. Must pre-register by calling 941-262-7827.
Spanish – Grupo de Apoyo – Oncology Network & Education Group: Meets monthly on 4th Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:30 pm Online and in person at the Sarasota Memorial ER Center in North Port Email: BrendaGonzalez.lcsw@comcast.net or call 941-262-7827
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital – Cancer Support Group in Port Charlotte. Meeting locations vary. Contact kelly.carr@hcahealthcare.com or call 941.625.3164 to sign up.
Courage Over Cancer at Gulf Cove United Methodist Church 1100 McCall Road, Port Charlotte offers support and ministry to men, women, and families who are affected by cancer. Contact the church at 941-697-1747 or visit https://gulfcovechurch.com/courage-over-cancer/ for program information.
New Life Church in Punta Gorda- Hope for the Journey: Coping with Cancer Through Faith – This Cancer Support Group’s goal is to discuss and discover the role and importance of our faith in meeting the challenges of cancer in our lives. The group is open to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers of those with cancer Meetings focus on celebrating positive milestones, receiving and giving support to others and an educational or motivational topic. Please contact our main office for any interest in this group at 941-639-3842.

OTHER:

American Cancer Society – 800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org Information, Reach to Recovery breast cancer peer support and a 24/7 support line.
www.TeamTony.org – Find local one-on-one peer support for all cancers. Visit the “Cancer Connection Center” for help finding resources at 3562 S. Osprey Avenue, Suite C, Sarasota, FL 34239. Call for an appointment and hours open 941-227-4404.