Social Support
Listening to others’ experiences, sharing your own, and creating connections can have a profound impact on your well-being. In our social support section, you will discover programs and groups that connect you with a community of people with cancer and caregivers who can provide understanding, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.
Anchorage Young Cancer Coalition (AYCC) is a group for people who have been diagnosed with any type of cancer and who are young at heart or were diagnosed in their 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s. The group is open to anyone across Alaska, even if you are just passing through the state and want to meet up.
They host multiple meetups each month featuring many activities, which allows members to attend different events at different times that work best for their schedule and interests.
To learn more about the group, how to join, upcoming activities, or ways you can support, please visit their website here. You can also join a private Facebook group or their mailing list, which are both listed on their website.
Beat the Odds is a grassroots, nonprofit organization in Petersburg, Alaska, designed to assist people living with cancer, their families, and support systems. The all-volunteer organization offers a free support group in Petersburg each month for anyone living with or impacted in any way by cancer.
The group meets on the first Friday of each month at the Petersburg Public Library. For specific timing or any other questions, please reach out to Lea Stanton Gregor, the group facilitator, at (907) 650-7292, or visit online at www.foundtruenorth.com.
The Alaska Blood Cancers Support Group provides an opportunity for people with blood cancers to discuss concerns, anxieties, and feelings related to illness and treatment. The group provides support and education by meeting with others with similar experiences.
The Alaska Blood Cancers Support Group meets virtually on the third Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm. The group is free, but pre-registration is required.
You can register by visiting this website and finding the next meeting of the group, and you can confirm by reaching out to Kelly Marre, LCSW, at kmarre@cpgh.org.
Cancer Connection is a grassroots, nonprofit with a mission is to bring together health and wellness resources for people residing in Southeast Alaska, thereby empowering them to make sound decisions and choices with the goal of prolonging their quality of life whether in time of crisis or fulfillment.
The Juneau Cancer Survivors’ Support Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm at 1701 Salmon Creek Lane and on Zoom.
To learn more about their resources and support group, please visit their website here. You can also reach out to admin@cancerconnectionak.org or (907) 796-2273.
Dragonflies is a volunteer support group for Breast Cancer survivors, current patients and interested individuals. They chose the dragonfly because it is a symbol of hope, change and love.
The group meets in person on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the J. Michael Carroll Canter Center, Fairbanks, Alaska at 7 pm. Each meeting has a half hour to 45 minute presentation or workshop to be followed by a discussion support forum unless otherwise noted. Topics are posted on Facebook and flyers at the Cancer Center.
To join the support group or learn more, please reach out to fbksbreastcancer907@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page here.
The Interior Alaska Cancer Association is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that helps people with cancer and their families in the Interior and educates the community. They provide support groups and financial relief.
The Interior Alaska Cancer Association organizes a monthly virtual support group on the second Wednesday of each month at 6pm.
To join the support group or to learn more about their work, please visit their website here and reach out to info@interioralaskacancer.org or their Facebook page here.
Just Us Girls Support is a volunteer-led community for women in the Mat-Su Valley who are recently diagnosed, currently in treatment, or in remission of cancer. Their mission is to provide hope, activities, and resources to women living with cancer.
Just Us Girls Support offers social outings, group activities, and classes for everything from learning how to tie a headscarf, draw on eyebrows, meditate, live healthier, and receive free items from cancer foundation to just having fun.
To learn more about Just Us Girls Support and their activities, please visit their Facebook group here or reach out to jugsatmatsu@gmail.com.
Let Every Woman Know is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing, facing, and ending gynecologic cancers. They provide creative statewide education, support, advocacy, and arts programs unique to Alaska’s diverse communities.
Let Every Woman Know provides a monthly support group for people with gynecologic cancer to connect with others with shared experiences. They meet on zoom the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 pm.
To learn more about the support group please visit their website here and reach out to leteverywomanknow@gmail.com for a zoom link.
The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors and those at risk through education, training, and advocacy.
One of the services they provide is a free, virtual support group for LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with peers with similar experiences. These support groups are offered three times weekly – on Mondays at 12pm to 2pm AKT, on Wednesdays at 10am to 12pm AKT, and on Saturdays at 11am to 1pm AKT.
Please visit this link to register for an upcoming support group on Zoom. If you would like to learn more about the National LGBTQ Cancer Network, please visit their website here.
Southcentral Foundation offers the Power of Hope Cancer and Education Support Group as a resource for anyone in the community with cancer, caregivers, and support partners. The group is designed to provide cancer education and support.
The Power of Hope support group meets the second Thursday of each month at 12 pm at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center Learning Kitchen.
For more information or to join the group, please visit their website or call (907) 729-2689.
The Providence Cancer Center provides social support and resource navigation. They offer a free support group for people with breast cancer to connect with others with similar experiences and to share support, understanding, and resources.
The Providence Cancer Center’s breast cancer support group is led by an oncology social worker, breast cancer navigators, and chaplain with the goal of creating a confidential and safe place for all members who participate.
The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 4pm at 3851 Piper St, U Tower, First Floor, Suite 120 in Anchorage. Registration is required to join the group.
To learn more or to register for a meeting, please visit this website and search for the breast cancer support group, or reach out to (907) 212-4770.
The Providence Cancer Center offers a free in-person art therapy class to explore and transform feelings, thoughts, and ideas with art and peers in a safe environment. Classes are led by local artists and art supplies will be provided.
The Healing Arts class is held in-person at the Providence Cancer Center for roughly 90 minutes. Class dates are about once per month.
Registration is required to attend, and space is limited. To learn more or to register for a class, please visit this website here and search for “Healing Arts.”
For questions, please call 907-212-4770.
Learn more about lymphedema risk reduction practices and treatment techniques at a free education class offered by the Providence Cancer Center and the Providence Alaska Foundation. Classes are led by certified Lymphedema Therapists.
The Lymphedema Risk Reduction class is held virtually for roughly 1 hour. Class dates are spread throughout the year.
Registration is required to attend. To learn more or to register for the class, please visit this website here and search for Lymphedema Risk Reduction.
The Sitka Cancer Survivor’s Society is an organization dedicated to honoring, educating, comforting, and inspiring people with cancer in Sitka and their families. They operate a support group and the Path of Hope project – a trail designed to uplift and honor cancer survivors.
The support group meets on the third Sunday of each month. Meeting notices, times, and locations can be found in the Sitka newspaper.
To learn more about the Sitka Cancer Survivor’s Society, please download this brochure or visit their Facebook page here.
Us TOO is an informal support group for people with prostate or testicular cancer and their support people in Alaska. They provide opportunities to meet with others and to discuss cancer detection, side effects of treatment, and how to cope with issues related to cancer.
The group meets twice weekly, one in-person and one virtually for anyone in Alaska. Their in-person meeting is every Thursday at 10:00 am at the Barnes & Noble Café at 200 E. Northern Lights Blvd. in Anchorage, and their virtual meeting is every Monday at 7:00 pm.
To join the group, please reach out to ustooak@gmail.com and visit their website here.
Women LISTEN is a group of local women dedicated to supporting women with cancer in the Anchorage and Mat-Su general area. They offer a support group, resources and information, social events, and free annual retreats where participants share, laugh, play, learn, and more.
They offer a weekly online and in-person support group on Fridays at 10 am for women to listen, share their stories, ask questions, and meet other women coping with all stages of cancer.
To join the group or learn more please visit their website here and reach out to womenlisten@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page here.
The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is dedicated to improving the lives of children living with cancer or its long-term impacts, and to offering critical advice, support, and assistance to families.
To learn more about ACCO or to explore the resources they offer, please visit this website here.
This in-person class is for for patients with stage IV, grade IV, and metastatic cancer, and their caregivers.
The group meets the second Thursday of the month at 4pm, at Providence Cancer Center Meditation Room and is facilitated by an oncology social worker and a chaplain.
To learn more or to register for a meeting, please visit this website and search for the breast cancer support group, or reach out to (907) 212-4770.