New Direction for After Hours Support Group

Originally designed to offer clients more opportunities to benefit from our support services, the weekly After Hours Support Group meetings have taken a direction all their own. Adult Programs Coordinator Natalie Depp, LMSW hosts everything from screening cancer-related movies and TV shows to creative endeavors like collaging or journaling to special events to mark cancer awareness months. 

This fall the group will see a bit of a revamp. Now meeting on Wednesday evenings – still at 6p.m. –one meeting of each month will be “An Introduction to a Cancer Diagnosis.” Especially designed for those newly diagnosed and their families, these meetings will benefit anyone wishing to acquaint or reacquaint themselves with the facts and vocabulary of cancer and its treatments.  Director of Support Programs Esther Sachse, LCSW stresses the importance of education for our clients: “The newly diagnosed cancer survivor has an immediate need for accurate information regarding their cancer diagnosis and treatment options.  They need a safe place to share their feelings and concerns.  Our programs offer help and support when they need it most.”

For more information about this or any of our support groups, call 927-2273 or visit our website at www.cancerservices.org. The mission of Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge is to improve life for those living with cancer.  

Staying Relevant: Until there’s a cure, there’s Cancer Services

For over 50 years, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge has been in this community serving cancer patients, their family members and caregivers. Using the word relevance expresses our promise to stay meaningful and relevant to their needs – even though those needs have changed drastically over the years.  

When Cancer Services opened its doors in the 1950’s, those who heard the words “you have cancer” had fewer options and less hope than today’s cancer patients. As a result, the agency had a hospice feel, providing loaned equipment, home visits and sick room supplies.  Thankfully, today’s advancements have made cancer survivorship a real thing. There are over 12 million cancer survivors in America and the number continues to grow. Over the years Cancer Services has continually responded to stay relevant to today’s survivors. When chemotherapy became mainstream, we addressed its side effects by opening our wig boutique and offering nutritional supplements. When exercise became a recommended option, we started aerobics, yoga and Zumba geared to the physical abilities and needs of survivors. With more people living long-term with cancer, we’ve expanded our support groups and started hosting more survivorship events.

Through our programs and services – and with the generous help of this community – we promise to stay relevant to the needs of cancer patients and their families.   

 

Cancer Services: For Body, Mind and Spirit

“YOU HAVE CANCER.”

This year, over 4000 people in the Baton Rouge area will hear these words and join the thousands of others who have already heard them.

For all of them and their families,

Cancer Services is here...

for body

Replenishing much-needed vitamins and nutrients through nutritional supplements

Providing mobility and independence by loan of hospital beds, wheelchairs and other equipment

Giving comfort and well-being though medical and post-surgical supplies

Improving physical function through exercise programs tailored to the needs of cancer survivors

mind

Easing the anxiety of navigating the complicated healthcare system

Relieving financial burdens with prescription assistance and mileage reimbursement to ensure patients get the treatment they need

Offering empathetic ears and the chance to share experiences, thoughts and feelings with others on the same journey through support groups

Empowering patients and family members to make sound decisions regarding their treatment and health with educational programs and up to date resource information

and spirit

Restoring confidence and self-esteem by sharing wigs, hats, scarves and other accessories

Calming the stresses associated with a life-altering diagnosis though yoga and reiki sessions

Improving one's ability to cope through personal counseling

Facilitating opportunities for children to forgo their illness, laugh, play and experience childhood



For more information about Cancer Services, visit our website, call 225-927-2273 or stop by our office at 550 Lobdell Ave. in Baton Rouge. We're open 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday.