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When I started my Cancer Prayer Support Group in October 1991, I had no clue what I "should" do other than knowing God wanted me to do it! My plan was for a one-hour, once-a-month meeting because I didn't want to sit around with a bunch of cancer patients and get depressed. A funny thing happened though, as we met together, we found our sorrows halved and our joys doubled and we always left feeling better.
We started meeting twice a month (once in the evening and once in the daytime) and I can honestly say that my groups are a source of great joy for me.
A few years later, I found out about Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope and I contacted them to find out about other Christian-based support groups. I wanted to talk to those facilitators who had been meeting longer than I and get some ideas about running my group. Was I ever shocked to find out my group was the oldest on their list! So here is what I've gleaned over the years and wish I had known when I started.
Determine your target audience by answering the following questions:
Will your group include both men and women? Children? Teenagers?
Will it be only patients or will their friends and family be included, too?
Will it be aimed at Christians only or would "seekers" be welcome, too?
Will it just be for people in your church or are other people in the community welcome?
Will it include all kinds of cancer or only one specific type?
Will it meet during the day (often appeals to older folks who don't want to go out at night) or during the evening (often appeals to younger folks who are still working)?
Determine your main purpose by choosing a focus (or combination of) suggested below:
Education, information
Motivation, inspiration
Encouragement for believers
Evangelism for seekers
Practical resources for patients & families
Bible study for Christians
Book studies for Christians & seekers
Determine your name.
Make sure the name matches your target audience and your purpose. "Hallelujah Healing Support Group" may be a true theological point, but it might not make seekers feel welcome! I originally called my group "P.S. for Cancer Patients" and the "P.S." stood for Prayer Support. It was catchy but I constantly had to explain what it was and when the local newspapers published alphabetical lists of support groups, I kept ending up under "P" instead of "C" with the other cancer support groups. So I changed the name to "Cancer Prayer Support Group." I wanted to make it clear that there was a spiritual element to the group so people wouldn't be surprised or upset if we talked about God or prayer, but I wanted seekers not to be put-off that they would be preached at or expected to know the Bible to come to the group. This has worked very well and everyone who comes to the group at least has a nominal belief in God. Over the years I've had people from just about every Protestant denomination, as well as Catholics, Jews and Christian Scientists. This makes for interesting discussion at times and a challenge to facilitate, but this is the way I've purposefully structured the group because I see it especially as an evangelistic outreach.
Determine your meeting location.
Will it be a home, church building, office or other facility? There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Homes are cozy, but can be difficult to find and parking can be a problem.
Church buildings are usually free and convenient but some seekers could be put off. Having my evening support group in our church building has been very good because it has brought some people to a church building who hadn't been in one for years (even decades!) and it was an important first step and reconciling past hurts with churches. Many patients have gone on to attend services with our church family.
Medical offices are convenient and if it's at the cancer center or oncology office where patients are treated, it obviously makes it easy to find! Some patients don't like to come back to where they were treated, but most don't seem to mind. My daytime group meets at our office in a conference room and this has been great. We even have patients come to meetings hooked up to their IV poles if they are being treated during a meeting.
Determine how to publicize your group.
A flier or brochure describing your group is a must. Make sure the wording will communicate well to your target audience and that your focus is clearly stated. My monthly flier is nothing fancy, but it clearly states "Cancer Prayer Support Group—Emotional and spiritual encouragement for adult cancer patients & their caregivers."
Publicize your group by taking/sending promotional materials to the following local places:
* Churches (don't forget the local Council of Churches)
* Oncology offices (chemotherapy and radiation), Cancer Centers
* Hospitals
* Physician offices, especially family practice, OB-GYN, surgeons and urologists
* American Cancer Society
Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to see if they sell mailing labels for churches or other groups you might want to contact. They also might be able to help you with listings of physicians etc. When I started my group, I initially sent out a letter to area pastors introducing myself and my new group (using my oncologist as a reference if they wanted to call him and ask about me). I included a flier and asked them to post it at their church and to put a note in the bulletin. It's best to list the group meeting time by the day rather than the date (i.e. first Tuesday or second Monday etc.) so the flier doesn't go out of date.
My oncologist also wrote a letter (actually I wrote it for him and he signed it) telling all the local doctors about my new support group. We put it and a meeting flier in the doctors' mailboxes at the hospital and that was a wonderful way to get the word out.
Try to have co-facilitators.
Most cancer support groups do not last very long and I think the biggest reason is burnout by the facilitator. It takes a lot of time and energy to organize and run a support group so it makes sense to divide responsibilities. I am very fortunate that since I began working with Dr. Hirsh in 1996, he allows me to do some of my support group responsibilities at work because they fit with my job. I don't think I could have ever continued as a lone facilitator for all these years without this arrangement. I would recommend two or three people as facilitators and then divide up responsibilities according to your gifts and interests. You'll have each other to pray for one another before and during the meetings.
Take advantage of free publicity.
Most radio stations, newspapers and local cable television stations give free print or air space to non-profit and community groups. Contact them. Ask about Public Service Announcements (PSAs), Community Bulletin Boards or support group listings.
Also try to get a local newspaper reporter to write a story about your group starting. Most community papers are looking for news and will give you a little write-up and maybe a picture. Contact the paper's news or feature editor.
For more information about starting a group, contact Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope at www.outreachofhope.org
I certainly don't believe there is one and only one way to run a support group, but so many people ask me be what format they should use with a group and how our group is run, so I decided to include some suggestions.
Our meetings last about 1¼ hours and the format is as follows:
JOKES
INTRODUCTIONS/UPDATES AROUND THE TABLE
DISCUSSION QUESTION(S)
DEVOTIONAL/INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
I will elaborate a little on each part.
JOKES—I start with jokes because when I first thought of leading a cancer support group, it sounded terribly depressing and I wanted to make sure that it wasn't just a group sitting around and crying all evening. The Bible tells us that "A cheerful heart is good medicine" and there are proven therapeutic benefits to laughter, so I make sure that we always laugh as much—or more—than we cry. I even start my Grief Prayer Support Group with jokes, too. I wasn't sure how that would work, but they love them.
If I have newcomers at the meeting, I sometimes say something like "Cancer isn't funny and you may not have had much to laugh about in your life lately, so I'd like to share a few jokes which hopefully will bring a smile to your face and make you forget for a few moments about the not-so-funny things in your life."
My favorite two sites for good, clean jokes are the Good Clean Funnies List at www.gcfl.net and Bill's Punch Line at www.tcmr.com . You can find other sites by just doing a search under a topic such as "clean jokes." Because people know I collect jokes, they email me with new ones or bring jokes to the meetings.
INTRODUCTIONS/UPDATES—We sit around a large table and we go around and everyone introduces themselves. First-timers are encouraged to talk more and tell more of their story. "Regulars" are encouraged to share very abbreviated versions of their story and give updates on any tests, prayer concerns etc. Everyone is encouraged to share news whether it be "good, bad or ugly." I've had some people who want to tell every detail of their cancer journey at every meeting - for years - and this can be quite a challenge. Sometimes before they introduce themselves, I say something like "Joe has an incredible story of all God has brought him through, but since we have such a large group tonight, he's just going to give us the Reader's Digest condensed version. (SMILE) If you want to hear more, please talk with him after the group." Sometimes I have people in the group who really like to pray for the others and they will take notes during this sharing time so they can remember what to pray after the meeting.
Sometimes we have a large group (my daytime group runs between 10-15 and my evening between 20-30) or lots of first-timers and these intros take a long time or even most of the time. I don't worry about that. I interject comments (and humor) throughout and solicit comments from others who I think might have something to encourage somebody else so it always is time well spent.
DISCUSSION—If the intros don't take too long or a natural discussion topic doesn't arise, I have a discussion question or two ready to get things going. Below is a list of some I use. Both When God & Cancer Meet and Finding the Light in Cancer's Shadow have discussion questions available free on-line at www.christianbookguides.com. The direct links are listed here:
When God and Cancer Meet | Click Here for Discussion Questions
Finding the Light In Cancer's Shadow | Click Here for Discussion Questions
Has anything good come out of your cancer experience?
Do you feel closer or farther from God since your diagnosis?
What is the most difficult part for you to handle: the physical, emotional or spiritual?
Where are you getting the support to see you through?
What about your situation causes you the most anxiety?
How is your family dealing with your diagnosis?
Do you feel guilty for having cancer—that it's somehow your fault?
How have you changed since your diagnosis?
Have your priorities changed since your diagnosis?
What advice do you have for someone facing surgery/chemo/radiation?
Have your feelings toward God changed since your diagnosis?
How do you feel when it's almost time for your next check-up?
Do you ever wish you could just have one day without thinking about cancer?
What is the hardest time of day for you and why?
How do you get cheered up when you are down?
What Bible verses have encouraged you?
Did you ever think about cancer before your diagnosis?
What books have you read that encouraged you?
DEVOTIONAL/INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT —It might be something from a published devotional or from a book on cancer. I always have some sort of spiritual encouragement to share. He Cares works well for devotionals as you can either read one of the extra articles or choose one of "Helpful Topics" listed on page A14 and share the accompanying scriptures and inspirational commentary. Through the years I have had people who were willing to share a devotional with the group and that is always nice. Sometimes I have two or three different things with me and I wait to see how the meeting goes and which might be most appropriate for the group gathered.
Right now both my cancer support groups each month are viewing a fabulous video called "Reflections on the Lord's Prayer for People with Cancer." Each of the 8-minute sessions is shot on location in Israel and the narrator is Ken Curtis, award-winning Christian film producer and stage IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor. He also has produced "Reflections on the Lord's Prayer for People with Cancer" and "Reflections on the Beatitudes for People with Cancer". These videos are professionally done and the music, scenery and inspiration are unequalled in anything else available. For more information about this series, go to the resources section.
I'm also very excited about a just-released DVD series from the American Association of Christian Counselors entitled "Challenging Cancer." It can be purchased as a complete series or just individual, approximately 30-minute sessions. It has inspiration/encouragement for cancer patients, their caregivers, parents who have a child with cancer and parents with cancer who have children still at home. Bonus sessions offer comfort for those who have lost a loved one to cancer and give practical help on starting and/or facilitating a faith-based support group (guess who that presenter was?) I also did presentations on "What the Heart, Mind & Soul of a Survivor Needs" (taken from the last chapter of When God & Cancer Meet) and "Questions Survivors Ask" (taken from several chapters in Finding the Light in Cancer's Shadow). For more information about this series, go to the resources section.
One other resource we often use in our groups is John Piper's essay "Don't Waste Your Cancer" found at http://www.crosswalk.com/1383847/. We take one of the 10 points and discuss is at the meeting and I add other scriptures and examples. Very thought-provoking stuff although some of the points may be hard for non-believers to understand and accept.
CIRCLE OF PRAYER—Because my group is called a Cancer PRAYER Support Group, I thought it would be a shame if someone came and left without getting prayed for. So, we join hands at the end of the meeting and people can pray out loud for themselves or one another. Sometimes people do and sometimes they don't, but I always pray out loud for each person in the circle by name. I believe that as we join hands we experience God's presence in a special way, too.
A couple of other thoughts about groups:
SNACKS—We put the snacks out at the beginning of the meeting so in case anyone has to leave early they won't miss out! I have one lady who has taken it upon herself to supply a boatload of snacks for every meeting (and other attendees often bring more contributions!). I would like to say we have all these wonderful, healthy, cancer-preventing foods, but usually we just eat what tastes really good! When I first started the group, I always baked something special for the meeting. My kids were still little then and we rarely ever had dessert at our house because I've always been kind of a health nut. One day, I recall my youngest daughter saw me baking something and she looked at me very forlornly and said "I bet that's not for us—it's for the cancer patients, right?" Needless to say, she got a piece!
PARTIES—We have two support group parties each year, one in the summer and one at Christmas. I realize I am in a very special and privileged position because my oncologist, Dr. Marc Hirsh, is a very talented musician and he comes and plays keyboard and saxophone for both these parties. Most of the people in my groups are his patients so they really love seeing him in this different light. He also gives a little encouraging message at the parties and he and I (and sometimes our spouses) lay hands and pray over all the patients and families represented. We used to get about 40-50 people at these parties, now it is usually 100+! It is an awesome time and even if you don't have an incredibly talented Messianic Jewish oncologist to entertain and "preach," I encourage you to have similar parties. Maybe your pastor or someone from your church's worship team would come and do music and/or share. At our parties we decorate with candles and fresh flowers/greens and everyone brings a dessert or snack to share. Family members who don't always come to the meetings often come to the Dessert Concert. For many it is one of the last happy memories they have together and God's presence is always felt in a very special way.
SPEAKERS—I occasionally have a special speaker at my meetings. Because my group is more inspirational than educational, it's usually someone sharing a "testimony" of how God has seen them through their cancer journey.
RULES—Some groups have written "rules" which can help the meeting to run more smoothly. I've never had anything written down, but I do have a few guidelines, which I often express and hopefully my "regulars" remember. They are:
No using names if you share anything "bad" about a doctor or anyone else.
No trying to "fix" other people's problems for them. (We share what worked for us, not what others should do.)
No divulging outside the group what's shared in the group (respect confidentiality).
Support groups are listed alphabetically by state. I have LITTLE OR NO personal knowledge of these groups so cannot absolutely verify that they are Christian-based and still meeting. You will have to CALL AND CHECK THEM OUT YOURSELF.
If you know of a Christian-based Cancer Support Group not listed, discover a group is no longer meeting, or whose contact information has changed, please click here .
To find a listing for a group in your area, please click on the first letter of your home state. States are listed in alphabetical order, so you may need to scroll down to find your state. If the first letter is not listed, we do not currently have a listing for your state. Please check back often as we build this list.
OUTSIDE THE U.S.
Hamilton, Ontario
Trillium Childhood Cancer Support 905-527-1992
Kitchener, Ontario
Hand on Your Shoulder Cancer Support 519-745-0151 or 519-894-4951
Pickering, Ontario
Cancer Care Support Group - Hope for the Journey 905-839-4621 info@bayfairbaptist.ca
Dorset
Christian Cancer Care 01202 487442
Cancer Patients Christian Online Support Group
http://listserv.acor.org/archives/cpcos.html
Faith & Coping with Cancer Discussion List
http://listserv.acor.org/archives/faith.html
Birmingham
Cancer Support 205-987-4030
Cancer Support 205-871-3583
Metropolitan Church of God Cancer Support 205-795-4448
St. Luke's Episcopal Cancer Support 205-871-3583
Brook Hills
Cancer Connection 205-975-8190
Gardendale
Cancer Support 205-631-5952 ext. 881
Cullman
The Process
256-734-6401
Hueytown
Cancer Support 205-220-4189 or 205-621-2878
Huntsville
Christian Cancer Support 256-534-0732
Juneau
Friends In Touch Cancer Support
907-789-7145
Chandler
Cancer Support 480-839-4955
Mesa
Rebound: Christian-based support for depression & anxiety disorders 480-895-4955
Phoenix
Circle of Hope Advanced Cancer Support Group 602-995-2933 circleofhopeadvancedcancer@gmail.com
Tempe
New Freedom Cancer Support 602-730-6624
Magnolia
The Refuge
870-904-8704
Berkeley
Caregivers Support Group, First Presbyterian Church 510-848-6252 ext. 241
Women's Cancer Support jenniferr@fpcberkeley.org
Women's Living Together with Cancer 510-848-6242
Castro Valley
"When God & Cancer Meet" Support Group 510-537-8636 judyteyler@gmail.com
Chatsworth
Safe Harbor Cancer Support 818-709-0113 or 805-522-5100
Dublin
Valley Christian Cancer Support 925-560-6200
Fair Oaks
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Cancer Support 916-987-0571
Hacienda Heights
Living with Cancer 626-336-1292
Los Angeles
Cancer Support Safe Haven 310-538-9185 fellowship@glorychristian.org
Menlo Park
Childhood Cancer Support 650-691-9090
Women's Cancer Companions 650-323-8651
Mountain View
Cancer Support
650-965-8146
Pasadena
Breast Cancer Support 626-796-1083
Men’s Prostate Cancer Support 626-441-2012
Poway
Women’s Cancer Support 858-538-6957
Riverside
Cancer Support Ministry 909-687-6902
Women's Cancer Support Fellowship 951-687-6902
Sacramento
Hope In Christ 916-682-7745 or 916-714-0635
Santa Cruz
Cancer Support 831-475-2290 or 831-427-1411
Saratoga
Cancer Support 2001 408-867-5728
Vacaville
Breast Cancer Support 707-425-9322
Watsonville
Cancer Support of Watsonville 831-724-1311
Colorado Springs
Compassionate Friends 719-481-2255
The Comfort Zone 719-687-1170
Fort Collins
Journeys of Hope 970-482-3580 or 970-223-8713
Women of H.O.P.E. Cancer Support 970-472-1740
Niwot
Living Hope Cancer Fellowship 303-664-5511 or info@rmcc.org
Living Hope Caregivers Support info@rmcc.org
Pueblo
Hopeful Heart Ministries
719-561-3004
Kirkwood
Christian Cancer Support 302-838-2060
Newark
I Can Thrive! Christian Cancer Support 302-738-4415
Daytona Beach
Christian Cancer Conqueror Support 386-427-1437
Jacksonville Beach
Friends Christian Care 904-241-4211, ext. 427 www.friendschristiancancercare.com
Naples
Victory Through the Valley of Cancer 239-403-9588
Sarasota
A Place of Hope
941-379-4931
West Palm Beach
More than Conquerors 561-650-7400, ext. 7430
Atlanta
Cancer Prayer Support 770-457-2525, email@chambleeumc.org
North Atlanta Church of Christ Cancer Support
770-649-5672, lisalu2002@cs.com or 770-936-5825, lrbsvcs@comcast.net
Chamblee
Chamblee United Methodist Church Cancer Support 770-457-2525
Macon
Riverside United Methodist Cancer Support 205-987-4030
Martinez
Hallelujah Cancer Pray Support
706-726-8661
Honolulu
Community Care Ministries 808-842-4242 ext. 408 ohana@enewhope.org
Coeur d Alene
Coeur d Alene Bible Church Cancer Support 208-664-4883
East Moline
Christ United Methodist 309-755-2508
Machesney
Hope for the Journey 815-654-8560 or 815-877-2247
Moline
Heirs of Hope
888-414-1945
Pekin
Cancer Support at Liberty
309-346-9476
South Barrington
Willow Creek Cancer Support 847-765-5000 ext. 1830 cancersupport@willowcreek.org
Springfield
Cancer Support of Springfield
217-793-2800
Bloomington
Cope by Faith 317-274-0263
Nappanee
Ribbon of Hope 219-831-4533
Upland
Taylor University Hope Cancer Support 765-998-0419
Creston
Peace In the Valley
641-782-5012
Keokuk
Cancer Support 319-524-3509
Pella
Circle of Hope 515-628-1363
Chanute
Chanute Cancer Support 316-431-0476
Wichita
Eastside Cancer 316-990-7294 or 316-734-3610
Glen Park Cancer Support 316-773-5485
Victory In the Valley 316-262-7559
West Wichita Cancer Support 316-722-5338
Louisville
Cancer Care Connection
502-426-3425
Paducah
Christian Cancer Support 270-443-8251
Prospect
Hope Cancer Care 502-228-2897 ext. 126 stjohn@stjohnprospect.com
Annapolis
Chesapeake Christian Fellowship 443-321-2742
Bowie
Cancer Care and Prayer Support Group
301-361-6390
Welcome
Christian Cancer Support 301-399-0769
Holden
Haven of Hope Cancer Support
508-277-7095
Hudsonville
Living with Cancer 616-669-6556
Midland
Midland Cancer Prayer Support 989-835-6731
Cottage Grove
Community Covenant Church Cancer Support 651-458-1040
Wilmar
Cancer Support 1-800-247-1478
Jackson
Baptist Cancer Services 1-800-948-6262
Maryland Heights
CancerShare Christian Cancer Support 314-308-2882
Springfield
Living Hope Foundation 417-880-HOPE
St. Peters
Women's Cancer Support 636-928-7440 or 636-278-3000
Henderson
HOPE Cancer Support, Central Christian Church 702-735-4004 ext. 224
Freehold
Christian Cancer Support, Ardena Baptist Church 732-938-7681
Scotch Plains
New Hope for Recoverers 908-389-9299 evajefferson@newhopeforrecoverers.org
Clifton Park
Still Waters 518-877-8449
Getzville
Hope for the Journey - Cancer Care at The Chapel at Crosspoint 716-688-4775 pbstewart@roadrunner.com
Charlotte
Cancer/Caregivers Ministry 704-543-1200 info@calvarychurch.com
Harbor of Hope 704-375-1446
Hope Cancer Ministries 704-364-1440 info@hopecancer.org
St. Matthew Cancer Ministry 704-542-1541
Greensboro
Choosing Hope Cancer Support 336-449-0845 or marksmith0923@aim.com
Kitty Hawk
Christian Breast Cancer Support 252-256-2081
Lake Norman area
Lake Normal Breast Cancer Support 704-662-0770, 704-489-2711 or cwhite874@yahoo.com
Wake Forest
Cancer Prayer Support
919-219-4801
A comprehensive county-by-county list of support groups (I DON’T KNOW IF ANY ARE CHRISTIAN BASED, but you can check out the list for yourself)
http://cancer.med/unc.edu/bcresources/support.htm
Bridgetown
Our Lady of Visitation Church Cancer Support 513-922-2056
Cincinnati
Immaculate Heart of Mary Cancer Support 513-388-4466
Women of Hope Cancer Prayer Group 513-661-2428 pattie@womenofhopecinci.org
Cleveland
I Am Not Alone 216-476-4900 ext. 2-3403
I Am Whole/Breast Cancer Support 216-476-6949, ext. 2-3403
Kelly
Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support 513-922-2056
Lebanon
Lebanon Presbyterian Cancer Support 513-932-2751
Lowellville
The Secret Place 330-758-4675
Marion
Victory In Jesus 740-389-5883
Mason
Christ's Church Cancer Support 513-229-3200
Middletown
Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support 513-423-4453
North Avondale
Southern Baptist Support Group 513-221-8713
Edmond
Cancer Support 405-341-0766
Tulsa
Asbury United Methodist Cancer Support 918-492-1771
Cancer Support 918-742-6610
Mustard Seed Support 918-492-4953
Bend
Faith-Based Cancer Support
541-815-3747 hopewithcancer@gmail.com
Wood Village
Wood Village Baptist Church Cancer Support
503-661-7686
Bethel Park
H.O.P.E. 412-562-8989 or anet.moran@bipc.com
Collegeville
Hope Is Near
610-454-7231
Dillsburg
Community Cancer Support 717-432-2733 or communitycsg@comcast.net
Gettysburg
Cancer Support 717-334-1235
Hanover
Cancer Prayer Support prayersupport@cancerpatientadvocate.com
St. Joseph Cancer Support 717-637-5236
Mechanicsburg
Westshore Evangelical Free Cancer Support 717-697-0026
New Freedom
Spiritual Support Group 717-227-2824
Pittsburgh
Christian Cancer Support 412-829-4999
Pleasantville
Going Forward Ministries 814-589-5485
Spring Grove
Cancer Prayer Support prayer support@cancerpatientadvocate.com
Wayne
Double Hope 610-293-0966
Columbia
East Lake Community Church Cancer Support
803-749-9298
Lexington
Coping With Cancer Through Faith
803-359-2381
Spartanburg
Cancer Support Ministry at Morningside
864-585-5457 or 864-706-7932
Knoxville
Outreach Ministry for Women with Cancer 865-966-1976
Parakletos 865-470-9800
Marysville
Hope for Today Cancer Support 865-983-4948 charlenewalker@hopefortoday.us
Central Region
Christian Cancer Support 512-345-7840 or 512-331-6836
Dallas
Cancer Survivors 214-523-2249
Houston
Cancer Support 713-354-4455
Men's Cancer Support 713-621-3040
Humble
Hope Cancer Support 281-359-7729 or 281-812-0234
Irving
Cancer Support 972-560-4613 or mmurrary@irvingbible.org
Mansfield
Coping with Hope 817-999-8140
McKinney
Christian Cancer Care Ministries
214-726-0123
Plano
Cancer Care Ministry, Prestonwood Baptist Church 972-820-5000
Spring
Christian Care Cancer Support
281-367-2378
The Woodlands
CancerConnection @ The Woodlands United Methodist Church
281-297-5900 or careministry@twumc.org
Immanuel's Light Cancer Support Group
877-544-4883 or Info@ImmanuelsLight.org
Lynchburg
On Eagles' Wings Breast Cancer Support 434-947-7890
Anacortes
Serenity Seekers Support Group
360-293-5300
Bellevue
Prostate Cancer Support 425-454-3082 info@fpcbellevue.org
Gig Harbor
Christian Cancer Support 253-851-9216
Puyallup
Cancer Support 253-851-9216
Wenatchee
Wenatchee Cancer Support 509-665-5945
Woodinville
WINGS: Wonderful Insights Noting God's Serenity 425-481-6146
Fennimore
Boscobel Area Cancer Support
608-822-6166
Hales Corners
Cancer Prayer Support Group
414-529-6700 ext 119 or dsorrell@hcl.org
Ladysmith
"Thorn In the Flesh"
715-532-6404
Marshfield
Faith-based Non-denominational Cancer Support 1-800-841-8300
Racine
Safe Haven Cancer Support 262-886-2176
I have a small library for my evening support group and a large library available to my daytime group because it is at my office. For my evening group, I just usually put the books out in the middle of the tables (in between all the snacks!) and people can check out anything they want. I have cassette tapes of books and also soothing music. I have found a very nice CD of scriptures read aloud to quiet background music. It is called "Believe and Speak" available from Trinity House Publishing, P.O. Box 6582, Lubbock, TX 79493.
For a list of suggested reading on healing, illness and suffering click here.
Also please contact Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope www.OutreachOfHope.org for some of their excellent, FREE books and resources to help you start a patient library.
I read or at least really skim everything I put in the library, especially books people want to donate, because I don't want to have material which does not agree with what I believe is biblical theology or espouses the ever-popular New Age theology.
Here's a list of all inspirational and humor books in my Patient Library at the office. (I also have selections for cancer education, nutrition and grief.)
Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook—Mathuna & Larimore, Drs.
Angels--Graham, Billy
Be Anxious for Nothing--Meyer, Joyce
Believe in Miracles, but Trust in Jesus--Rogers, Adrian
Bend in the Road--Jeremiah, David
Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend--Copen, Lisa
Blessings of Brokenness, The--Stanley, Charles
Boundaries--Cloud & Townsend Drs.
Breast Cancer Be-Attitudes--Baker, Sylvia Morgan
Breast Cancer Survivors' Club--Shockney, Lillie
Can I Still Kiss You?--Russell, Neil
Cancer Conqueror, The--Anderson, Greg
Cancer Has Its Privileges--Clifford, Christine
Cancer Lives at Our House--Hoek, Beatrice
Cancer: A Medical & Spiritual Guide for Patients & Families--McDermott, Gerald & Fintel, William
Caregiver's Survival Guide, A--Strom, Kay Marshall
Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul--Canfield, Jack
Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul--Canfield, Jack
Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul--Canfield, Jack
Comeback--Dravecky, Dave
Conquering Depression--Sutton & Hennigan
Coping with Cancer--Packo, John
Damaged but Not Broken--Burkett, Larry
Dear God, It's Cancer--Fintel & McDermott, Drs.
Death and the Life Thereafter--Graham, Billy
Disappointment with God--Yancey, Philip
Do Not Lose Heart--Dravecky, Dave & Jan
Facing Cancer Together--Brown, Pamela
Faith Factor, The—Matthews, Dale Dr.
Finding the Light in Cancer's Shadow--Eib, Lynn
For These Tough Times--Lucado, Max
Gentle Thunder, A--Lucado, Max
Getting Better, Not Bitter--Ladun, Brenda
Gift of Mourning Glories--Shaffer, Gloria
God of All Comfort--Gann, Judy
God You're Looking For, The --Hybels, Bill
God, Medicine & Miracles--Fountain, Daniel
God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions--Warren, Rick
God's Most Precious Jewels are Crystallized Tears--Johonson, Barbara
God's Power to Change Your Life--Warren, Rick
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for people facing serious illness—Lynn & Harrold Drs.
He Cares New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs--Eib, Lynn
He Still Moves Stones --Lucado, Max
Healing--MacNutt, Francis
Healing Power of a Christian Mind--Backus, William Dr.
Healing Power of Prayer, The --Tolson & Koenig
Heaven--Alcorn, Randy
Heaven for Kids--Alcorn, Randy
Help Me I'm Depressed--Meyer, Joyce
Help Me I'm Stressed--Meyer, Joyce
Help Me I'm Worried--Meyer, Joyce
Holy Hilarity--Samra, Cal and Rose
Hope Again--Swindoll, Charles
Hope in the Face of Cancer--Givler, Amy
How to Help a Heartbroken Friend—Biebel, David Dr.
If God is So Good, Why Do I Hurt So Bad?--Biebel, David
Invisible Hand: Do all things really work together for good?--Sproul, R.C.
Journey Home--Bright, Bill
Journey into Day: Meditations for new cancer patients--Freeman, Rusty
Joy I'd Never Known, A--Dravecky, Jan
Life is Tough, But God is Faithful--Walsh, Shelia
Live Long and Die Laughing--Lowry, Mark
Mending Your Heart in a Broken World--Clairmont, Patsy
Mere Christianity--Lewis, C.S.
Mosaic Moments: Devotions for the Chronically Ill--Copen, Lisa
New Light on Depression--Koenig, Harold & Biebel, David
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith--Eareckson-Tada, Joni
Path through Suffering, A—Elliot, Elisabeth
Prayer Guide for the Broken-Hearted--Hammond, Michelle
Prayers Against Depression--Martin, Lance
Praying Through Cancer--Geist & Sorenson
Problem of Pain, The--Lewis, C.S.
Profiles of Courage--Dravecky, Dave & Jan
Purpose Driven Life, The--Warren, Rick
Quiet Knowing, A--Graham-Tchividjian, Gigi
Sky Edge: Mountaintop Meditations--Keller, W. Phillip
Someday Heaven--Libby, Larry
Spiritual Journey through Breast Cancer, A--Asti, Judy
Spirituality in Patient Care--Koenig, Harold
Splashes of Joy/Stick a Geranium--Johnson, Barbara
Stand by Me--Dravecky, Dave & Jan
Stick a Geranium in Your Cranium--Johnson, Barbara
Telling Yourself the Truth--Backus, William
There's No Place Like Hope--Girard, Vickie
Twenty-third Psalm for Caregivers--Leal, Carmen
Twenty-two Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness--Anderson, Greg
What to Do When You Don't Know What to Say--Froehlich, Mary Ann
When a Patient Has Cancer--Harpham, Dr. Wendy
When God & Cancer Meet--Eib, Lynn
When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayer--Sittser, Jerry
When God Doesn't Heal Now--Keefauver, Larry
When God Doesn't Make Sense--Dobson, James
When God Says No--Anderson, Leith
When God Weeps--Eareckson Tada, Joni
When God Whispers Your Name--Lucado, Max
When Life Becomes Precious--Babcock, Elsie
When Life Hurts--Yancey, Philip
When Someone You Love is Dying--Clark, David
When Tragedy Strikes--Stanley, Charles
When You Can't Come Back--Dravecky, Dave
Where Is God When Bad Things Happen?--Palau, Luis
Where is God When It Hurts? --Yancey, Philip
Why?--Lotz, Anne Graham
Why Can't I Make People Understand?--Copen, Lisa
Why God?--Swindoll, Charles
Will God Heal Me?--Dunn, Ron
With Healing Wings--Maurer, Marsha
You Gotta Keep Dancin'--Hansel, Tim
I also have a few tapes and my three favorites are:
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