Click here to view and print a PDF version of the August / September 2010 calendar

HURRICANE CLOSING POLICY:  
To ensure everyone’s safety, we will close whenever a Hurricane WARNING is issued for Miami-Dade County. As a rule of thumb, if the schools are closed due to weather conditions, so is the Cancer Support Community.

Social Programs  
Informal gatherings that offer a wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time in the company of others who are going through a cancer experience as patients, survivors or caregivers of someone with cancer. See calendar for specific dates and activities.

STRESS REDUCTION GROUPS

Powerful Mind Intensive
Learn how to enhance your ability to impact your emotional and physical well-being through mind-body practices that may reduce depression and anxiety as well as some physical discomforts. Please be on time. Due to the nature of the activity latecomers will not be allowed to come in.
Facilitator: Dawn Walker, LCSW
Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Integración Mente-Cuerpo (in Spanish)
Enhance your physical and emotional wellbeing by practicing mind-body connection techniques.  This group is sponsored by a grant from the Dade Community Foundation.
Tuesday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

MIND-BODY PROGRAMS 
These programs will help you get comfortable in your own body again, and find ways to utilize your body’s own energy for healing.  Please bring your own mat & blanket for Yoga and Gentle Exercise classes.

Yoga 
Use gentle yoga techniques to release stress and 
stored tension in your mind and body
Monday 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00 am

Tai Chi 
Explore how this eastern art of movement meditation can enhance health and well-being.
Thursday 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Deep Muscle Relaxation
Learn the many techniques of muscle relaxation through proper posture and movement.
Wednesdays at 12 noon 

Meditation: Tai-Chi   (in Spanish)
Monday 10:30 - 11:30 am

Gentle Exercise
Work at your own pace in this restorative strength training class to fight fatigue, increase strength, endurance, and bone mass.
With Cathee Connors.
Monday 12 - 1:00 pm (English)

Belly Dancing for Cancer Survivors
Basic posture, isolations and shimmies. Occasional use of veils and finger cymbals. Class begins with a warm-up and ends with a cool down period. Be on time!
Sponsored by: Belly Motions
Instructor: Alejandra
Tuesdays, 8 – 9 pm
Instructor: Michelle
Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:30 am  

We have face-to-face as well as internet support groups.  We also have groups in Spanish (face to face and internet).  All groups are facilitated by licensed, trained, psycho-oncology professionals.

Preparation session needed
before joining a support group.

Groups for people with cancer:
English
Tuesday, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Spanish
This group is sponsored by a grant from the Dade Community Foundation.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 10:00 am – 12 noon

Bereavement Group
For people who are experiencing the loss of a loved one to cancer. 
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm

Caregivers/Friends & Family Group
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Individual Support Sessions
These sessions are focused on empowering the cancer patient to regain control of both physical and mental health via relaxation techniques, initiating or resuming regular physical activity and maintaining a well-rounded healthy lifestyle. Available to survivors currently attending programs at the Cancer Support Community. Limited time offering!
(by appointment ONLY)
Call 305-668-5900

Online Support Groups
Online groups function like our face to face groups in that they can help improve the quality of life of people with cancer and their loved ones. Feelings of hope can be restored, unwanted aloneness can be reduced and a sense of control can be regained by listening to and sharing your story with other cancer survivors. People are able to connect with others who have experienced similar situations including concerns about treatment and its impact on their lives. Like our face to face groups, online support groups are facilitated by a licensed mental health professional.
Please register at: www.CancerSupportCommunity.org

Patient Groups
For people currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Facilitator: Peggy Rios, Ph.D.
Mondays, 8 – 9:30 pm

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Facilitator: Peggy Rios, Ph.D.
Wednesdays, 8 – 9:30 pm
   

Monthly Networking Groups
These drop-in groups meet to discuss issues and information specific to certain types of cancer. It is an opportunity to share problems and solutions, as well as support and inspiration.  Family members and caregivers are welcome.
Reservations required.  Call 305-668-5900

 

Family Circle
Helping Children & Families Cope when a Parent has Cancer
(bilingual workshops as needed)
Health psychologists and child therapists have come together to develop this innovative program to help parents with cancer and their children.
Parents’ Program Highlights: Communicating with children in age-appropriate ways. Maintaining healthy routines. Parenting when you feel lousy.
Kids’ Program Highlights: Addresses children’s questions about what is cancer. Helps alleviate fears and anxiety. Eases feelings of isolation. Helps child refocus their childhood activities. The children’s program is activity-based and arranged into age appropriate groups for children from 4 to 15 years old. Lunch offered at the end of the program.
Second Saturday of the month, 10:30am - 1pm
Call for reservations: 305-668-5900
Sponsored by Lauren’s Light and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Parenting & Cancer
If you have small children and would like to speak with someone about parenting while going through cancer treatment, please call Dr. Peggy Rios, Ph.D. for an appointment.
Ongoing
Call 305-668-5900

Peggy Huddleston’s Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster
Cancer Support Community is offering a series of sessions for breast cancer patients prior to undergoing surgery. During a 90-minute session women enrolled in this class will learn relaxation techniques along with visualization exercises to help reduce stress before surgery. These techniques have been found to not only reduce anxiety but also post-operative pain and are used at major medical centers throughout United States.
Sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Call to schedule an appointment before surgery: 305-668-5900

Special Education Programs (RSVP Required)
Look Good Feel Better
A free nationwide program that helps women with appearance-related side effects while undergoing cancer treatment. The workshop includes instruction in skin care and makeup application, tips on wigs, head coverings, and nail care. A complimentary makeup tool kit filled with donated products from the cosmetic industry will be provided. This program is a collaboration of the American Cancer Society, CTFA, and NCA. The class is conducted by a Cosmetologist trained by ACS and it is offered in English and Spanish (bilingual sessions) as needed. Limited to 8 people. Please reserve your spot soon!
Light snack courtesy of Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.
Third Thursday of the month, 10 am - 12 noon
Call 305-668-5900 to register

Healthy and Delicious Cooking Class
Learn some simple and easy ways to put together healthy and nutritious ingredients to make delicious meals that are good for the body and the soul. Limited to 15 participants with reservation. Bring a pencil and paper to take notes and enjoy Karen Zokovitch’s delicious lunch!
Food Sponsored by: Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy
Friday, September, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Call 305-668-5900 to register

Chinese Medicine and Cancer Care
Acupuncture Physician and Chinese Herbalist, Dr. Evan Haas, will introduce the basic concepts of Chinese Medicine and how they relate to modern integrative cancer treatment. Dr. Haas will also discuss the use of Chinese Medicine for pain reduction, fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, stress and immune system enhancement. The program will include a demonstration of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Thursday, August 5, 7 – 9 pm
Call 305-668-5900 to register

Focused Awareness Meditation
Meditation has been shown to benefit our mind, body and soul. If you are curious about meditation and would like to learn more about it, make reservations to attend this introductory class. Peggy Gaines, a nurse educator and certified meditation specialist will conduct the class and answer your questions. The class will present some meditative exercises that will help you stay calm under pressure and adapt to new situations.
Thursday, August 26, 7 – 8 pm
Call 305-668-5900 to register

Advances in Stem Cell Transplantation for Leukemia and Lymphoma
The Cancer Support Community welcomes Dr. Krishna Komanduri, director of the Adult Stem Cell Transplant Program at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Komanduri will present exciting advances made in the field of cell transplantation, particularly for Leukemia and Lymphoma treatments.
Monday, September 13, 6 – 8 pm
Call 305-668-5900 to register

Understanding Your Blood Counts
Jessica Portu, MSN, ARNP-BC, will help you make sense of CBC results and other blood work. Understanding your blood counts will help you communicate more clearly with your healthcare team about your treatment and side effects. Join us and bring your loved ones for this informative program.
Wednesday, September 22, 6 – 8 pm 
Call 305-668-5900 to register

Ask the Expert About the Role of Clinical Research in the Treatment of Cancer
Cancer research plays a crucial role in the treatment and recovery for many persons diagnosed with cancer even in the early phases of treatment. It is a myth that research only applies to end-stage disease. Learn the facts and make the best treatment decisions for you and your loved ones. Elizabeth Groh, BSN, RN, Director of Clinical Research from Advanced Medical Specialties is an expert in the field. She will detail the most important facts, help you understand the role of research and answer your questions. Join us for this informative session. This is a popular program, please make your reservation today.
Thursday, September 23, 7 – 9 pm
Call 305-668-5900 to register

  
OFFSITE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Mindful Eating: A Powerful Tool in Cancer Survivorship.
Mae Greenberg, LMHC, will discuss the practice of mindful eating and how it can impact your health and wellbeing. Ms. Greenberg will offer tips on how to start your mindfulness practice now! Join us for this fun & important program, and please bring a favorite healthy recipe to share! This will be a planning meeting so bring ideas for future program topics.
Where: Dave and Mary Alper JCC, Youth and Adult Building #5
Berrin Family Room 510
10155 SW 112 Ave, Miami, FL 33176
Wednesday, September 15, 7 – 9 pm
Call 305-668-5900 to register