I Am A Person With Cancer

Dealing with the feelings and impact associated with a cancer diagnosis can be difficult. Whether you are recently diagnosed, in treatment, or post treatment, finding the right emotional and social support is an essential complement to medical care. In addition to our support groups and educational programs, we offer distress screenings, individual counseling, skills-based trainings and health and wellness programs. Here, people living with cancer will be able to find the support that best fits their needs.

For more information on the programs we offer for individuals living with cancer, or to sign up for a support group or activity, please call 914.644.8844

Group Support

MyLifeline

Educational/ Supportive Series

Short-Term Counseling

Open to Options - a treatment decision making program

Health and Wellness

Social Programs

Short-Term Counseling

Gilda’s Club Westchester offers up to 6 counseling sessions to anyone impacted by cancer. Counseling provides the opportunity to meet with a mental health clinician who is an expert in addressing issues that are commonly experienced by those impacted by cancer, such as anxiety, depression and communication. We also offer consultation for advance directives, specifically selecting a health care proxy and assistance with communicating values and wishes to loved ones and medical teams.

Bilingual Cancer Support Hotline

Through the hotline, anyone with a cancer diagnosis can receive phone counseling from an experienced Gilda’s Club licensed mental health professional. One-on-one phone counseling provides individuals the opportunity to discuss their concerns related to their cancer diagnosis with the goal of decreasing emotional distress. To access the Bilingual (English/Spanish) Cancer Support Hotline, please call 914-997-6006.

Funding for this hotline was provided through a contract with the New York State Department of Health and the Breast Cancer Alliance for those with breast cancer.

Open to Options - a treatment decision-making program

This counseling program will support you in making an informed decision surrounding your treatment options. You will have a one-on-one meeting with an LCSW offering support and active listening to help you better identify your goals for treatment, care, and your future.  Together, you will develop a question list to ensure that you feel empowered and make the best use of time at your next visit with the doctor.

Support Groups

These support groups, facilitated by an experienced, licensed mental health professional, provide ongoing emotional support for those with a cancer diagnosis. Advanced registration is required for all support groups. For more information, please call 914.644.8844.

Weekly Groups

  • Living with Cancer Group – A weekly group for adults who are diagnosed with cancer and are in treatment.
  • Young Women with Breast Cancer Group – a weekly group for women under the age of 50 diagnosed with breast cancer.

Monthly Groups

  • Breast Cancer Group
  • Post-Treatment Group
  • Young Women With Breast Cancer Group
  • Pica y Platica (Spanish Group)
  • Sistah’s Circle

EDUCATIONAL/SUPPORTIVE SERIES:

Coping Skills Series

In this skills-based workshop series, learn how to manage and cope with the emotions and stress of living with cancer. Topics such as mindfulness, managing anxiety and self-care will be introduced. Skills will be demonstrated and practiced during the workshop.

Survivorship Series

The transition from active treatment to post treatment is difficult for many cancer survivors. This four-part series is comprised of supportive and educational sessions for individuals with any cancer diagnosis who have completed active treatment. Topics include nutrition, wellness and intimacy and communication.

Spirituality Discussion Group

Spirituality can be defined as that which gives meaning, connection and purpose in life. Both religion and spirituality are related to a search for the sacred and meaningful. This interactive workshop series offers the opportunity to explore the potential role of spirituality and its role in purpose, comfort and community.

Healthy Lifestyle Workshops and Activities

Educational lectures and healthy lifestyle workshops offer a chance to acquire skills, tools, information, and techniques while forming meaningful connections with others who are living with cancer. Gilda’s Club Westchester is equipped with a spacious and light-filled exercise studio for physical activity classes (such as yoga and Pilates), and stress reduction classes such as mindfulness, an art studio for expressive arts classes, and a full kitchen for workshops on nutrition and healthy cooking.

Social Programs

Social activities provide an opportunity to meet and connect with others with a cancer diagnosis around a common interest such as knitting or book group.