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.  

Stretch, Strength and Support: Yoga at Cancer Services

Cancer Services offers multiple exercise classes that allow survivors to get a great workout and a chance to meet other survivors. But one class in particular has become much more than just a workout. The Yoga Thrive class, offered every Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Red Shoes, has become its very own support group for the survivors who participate in the class.

Some of the yoga regulars before class at The Red Shoes

Every week survivors attend the class to get strength and support from each other as well as a good exercise - most are regulars, scheduling their appointments around these classes. One survivor even described the class as a family saying, “When someone’s missing we miss them.”

All of the survivors reiterated how special this class is and how they never want to miss out on it. One survivor said this was “one of the best classes I’ve ever seen in my life.” Another survivor spoke about how everyone’s backgrounds were not important because they were all the same because they all have cancer.

Many of the survivors emphasized how important the instructor, Kate, was to the class. When asked what she thought made this class so special, Kate responded that the emotional connection she feels and sees with this class is different from any other class she teaches. She also spoke about the amazing strength of spirit and will the participants in the class have.

The routine of the class is gentler than others and the survivors do not feel any pressure to perform any moves that make them feel uncomfortable. One survivor said that she liked the class because there was no judgment and that it did not matter what you were able to do. Several survivors said that the class was great because they all are coming from the same place because they all have cancer and they understand what the other people in the class are going through.
Each yoga class ends with "Namaste," which translates to "I bow to you." These survivors bow to each other, bows full of meaning in their shared experience, and Cancer Services bows to all our clients as we do all we can to improve their lives and their cancer journey.

One participant in particular emphasized the importance of getting exercise several times a week for cancer patients. According the National Cancer Institute website, several studies find that physical activity can improve the quality of life for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment or for those who have completed treatment.

Cancer Services offers multiple exercise programs to help cancer survivors improve their quality of life and stay healthy. For a list of exercise programs visit the Cancer Services’ website or call Natalie at 225-927-2273 for more information.