Southern Colorado supportive oncology
Southern Colorado supportive services
Social work
Social workers can help cancer patients, caregivers, and families cope with and reduce cancer-related distress; can provide emotional support to address cancer-correlated concerns, such as family, work, and other areas of life; offer resources and referrals, such as support groups and community resources; and teach how to live with a cancer diagnosis through individualized care plans.
For additional information, please call 719.365.6845
Nutrition
Registered dietitians can provide cancer patients with individualized cancer-specific nutrition consults, assessments and nutrition recommendations. These recommendations are tailored to offset cancer side effects throughout treatment, such as changes in taste/ appetite, digestion concerns, and use of supplements/ enzymes.
For additional information, please call 719.365.6845
Nurse Navigation
Oncology nurse navigators will help you make your way through the overwhelming, sometimes confusing journey that typically accompanies a diagnosis of cancer. Navigation will teach you about your specific type of cancer and help you understand the information you receive from your doctors. Nurse navigators assist with facilitating and coordinating initial appointments with oncology specialists, as well as to ensure patients have access to timely care. Nurses can also refer patients to various other resources within UCHealth and the community.
For more information/appointments, call 719.365.6845
Support groups
Support groups provide patients, caregivers, and families a safe place for sharing feelings and challenges. Learning from the experiences of others can help increase the ability to cope. Studies have shown that participation in support groups may help people with cancer feel less depressed and anxious.
Our support groups are no-cost events hosted through in-person and virtual platforms. Support groups offered are for patients and caregivers.
For additional information, please call 719.365.6845
Standing Firm Together cancer support group
A support group for those diagnosed with cancer.
“Put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” — Abraham Lincoln
Meets Thursday afternoons
1 to 2:30 p.m.
UCHealth Memorial Hospital North (see location page)
Cancer Center Conference Room
Contact Deborah Donnelley: 719.364.8348.
Breast cancer survivors support group
Our breast cancer support group is an educational support group for all breast cancer patients.
Group goals consist of
- Enhancing quality of life.
- Building connections with a community of breast cancer survivors.
- Exploring the role of mind, body, and spirit in coping with illness.
- Pointed topics specific to you and your care.
2nd Wednesday of the month
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Please call to register before attending: 719.579.9602.
Tobacco cessation support group: Let’s Quit Together
Your smoke-free journey starts here.
Are you a current tobacco user, thinking about quitting? Join our on-demand virtual support group.
Our 6-week tobacco cessation support group offers:
- Smoking cessation class, free of cost.
- Tobacco education and resources.
- Weekly guides and Quit Kit.
- Assistance with FDA-approved medications.
- Individual quit plan.
- Peer support & stress management.
- Nutrition & exercise guidance.
To register and learn more about our program:
Call: 719.365.6845 or 719.365.7511.
Caregivers support group
“Encourage, lift and strengthen one another. For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all. For we are connected, one and all.” – Deborah Day
Group topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Finding joy in the midst.
- Common thoughts of caregivers.
- Misconceptions.
- Resiliency.
- Self-care.
This group is open to newcomers every time we meet, so come join us!
Meets Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Memorial Administrative Center (MAC Building), 2420 E. Pikes Peak Avenue
Dates/rooms:
- May 3 / Classroom B
- May 17 / Classroom A
- May 31 / Cuchara Room 1121
- June 14 / Classroom A
- June 28 / Classroom A
- July 12 / Classroom A
Registration is required prior to attending. To register and for more information, please contact:
Rochelle Bruhn, MDiv, MCM, BCC / 719.365.2305
Sayla Dennington, MSSW, LCSW / 719.365.8517
Young women connections
Connect and relate with other young women affected by cancer and establish a sense of community, support, insight, and understanding with others experiencing similar situations.
For more information on times and attendance, please contact Dayna Johnson:
Tobacco cessation program
The tobacco treatment specialist can help develop a plan to work towards reducing or quitting tobacco. The specialist will advise how to manage withdrawal symptoms, deciding which tools would be uniquely beneficial, and assisting in obtaining potentially needed medications.
For additional information or to make an appointment, please call 719.365.6845
Oncology rehabilitation services
Comprehensive cancer rehabilitation is designed to address and/or prevent symptoms that affect daily life such as: muscle/ joint pain, limb swelling (lymphedema), weakness, balance, fatigue, bowel/ bladder problems, memory problems, and sexual dysfunction and/or pelvic pain in women.
For additional information please call 719.364.4444
Genetic counseling
The hereditary cancer clinic can assist patients through providing a variety of genetic services such as: genetic counseling, family history analysis, and genetic testing.
For more information, call 719.365.6845.
Cancer-related fatigue
The lack of energy/tiredness that comes from cancer, called cancer-related fatigue, is different from the fatigue of daily life. This program can assist patients in improving strength, fitness, and a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can help decrease fatigue, build up stamina, and can help reduce anxiety or depression.
For additional information about our program, please call 719.365.1029.
Financial Case Coordination
A diagnosis of cancer takes a physical, emotional and often a financial toll. Financial Case Coordinators at UCHealth Memorial Cancer Center are here to help you navigate through these concerns.
For more information and a referral to financial coordination, please call 719.365.6845.
Spiritual care
Spiritual care chaplains are available to listen and to come along side individuals who have survived the life changing experience of a cancer diagnosis. Topics for exploration include the transformative impact of cancer, the importance of hope, the reality of loss, dealing with uncertainty, building our legacy, re-developing community and relationships, addressing forgiveness, and living fully with integrity. Chaplains are available for one on one conversations or family discussions. Developing a ritual that marks one’s survival is also available.
For additional information or to make an appointment, please call 719.365.2427
Survivorship navigation
Completion of treatment is not the end of your support.
Your survivorship navigator is a member of your Oncology care team that can provide support and education as you transition from active treatment into survivorship.
Goals of a survivorship navigation visit
- Provide caring assistance with the steps that follow completion of treatment.
- Review your cancer diagnosis and related treatments.
- Discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
- Identify and create management strategies to help you cope with the physical, emotional and social side effects of treatment.
- Recommend or refer you to resources related to health, nutrition, exercise, finances, smoking cessation, counseling, and support groups.
- Create a personalized guide for follow up care after treatment.
If you would like more information about survivorship, please call Oncology Support Services at 719.365.6845
Contact us
Please contact us directly with any questions, or comments you may have.
Cancer Support Services – Memorial Hospital Central
UCHealth Cancer Center
525 Bob Peters Grove, Suite 0816
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Phone: 719.365.6845
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.