Events
Super Bowl includes breast cancer events
Here's a way to support breast cancer awareness and participate in the Super Bowl festivities in Indianapolis. The Super Bowl Village will be the site of a Pink Pep Rally starting at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28. Organizers are hoping breast cancer survivors and advocates from all over the state will participate in the rally, followed by a concert at 12:15 p.m. The Super Bowl Village is on the east side of the Lucas Oil stadium on Capitol Avenue.
Jan. 28 and 29, Komen and IU Simon Cancer Center are staging another tissue bank collection at the cancer center. During the two-day event, the group hopes to collect 700 samples from healthy women to be used in research all over the world to find out how cancer begins in the breast tissue. Looks like Komen Tissue Bank will get those samples: All appointments for both days are filled. Check out more at the website.
Look Good, Feel Better at Olcott
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education is hosting Look Good, Feel Better sessions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every other month. Upcoming dates are: Jan. 25 and Feb. 8.
Look Good, Feel Better teaches beauty techniques to womem with cancer who are in active treatment. Not only is this a confidence-booster, but skin also needs special care during treatment.
A trained volunteer cosmetologist will show women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using products donated by the cosmetics industry. Each attendee receives a free cosmetic kit.
To learn more or sign up for a session, contact the Olcott Center at (812) 353-5669.
Step Ahead meets Feb. 14
Step Ahead, the group for women who have completed breast cancer treatment and are looking to stay healthy, will gather informally at 6 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Scholars Inn Bakehouse East. The now meets the second Tuesday of each month February through November.
Step Ahead formed nearly nine years ago when a group of women who had been attending the Olcott Center's support group finished their treatment but hadn't finished talking with one another. They formed this health-focused group to talk about ways to regain their health and keep it.
Anyone who has completed treatment is welcome to attend. Look for the pink tablecloths at the restaurant. In addition to welcoming us as (a sometimes loud) group, the Bakehouse generously donates 10 percent of our food bills to the Olcott Center.
If you need assistance or information before the next meeting, e-mail BC:FYI.
'Big Ten Thinks Pink' March 3
Help the Indianapolis-based Pink Ribbon Connection raise money and awareness a the Big Ten women's basketball tournament March 3 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Tickets are $10, with $5 going to Pink Ribbon Connection, which provides programming and networking to breast cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. To learn more or purchase tickets, call the Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 800-745-3000 or visit the Pink Ribbon Connection's website.
Back to top
Treat your mind and body
WISE move to get back in shape
You've probably read about the health benefits of exercise for those recovering from cancer treatment, but programs at gyms or exercise centers aren't designed just for this population.
But a program at the YMCA is tailored just for those patients going through treatment or trying to get back into shape after treatment. The WISE (Working Out to Increase Strength and Endurance) program for cancer survivors meets three times a week at the Y. Participants receive an exercise program tailored just for them, including weight training and a group stretch. Cost is $10 each month to participants.
To find out more: Call the YMCA, (812)332-5555.
Just say 'aahh':
Massage therapy study looking for participants
This one is a no-brainer: sign up to participate in a study and get seven free massages at your choice of three locations. The massage therapy program at Bloomington Hospital Rehabilitation Services was awarded a grant from the Wabash Valley affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to conduct a study of the effects and benefits of massage during breast cancer treatment. Massage therapists will offer seven free massages to women who currently are in treatment for breast cancer, including those in chemotherapy, radiation, or post-surgery.
Schedule an appointment through Rehab Services and let the office coordinator know that you would like to participate in "Take My Hands." You may have your massages at one of these locations and there are many time slots available.
To make an appointment or find out more about the program, call any of these facilities:
- Rehab Services at the hospital: (812)353-9484
- Rebound at 328 S. Woodcrest: (812)353-3278
- Rebound at 639 S. Walker: (812)353-9378
- The Olcott Center, (812)353-5669
Back to top
Support group meetings
Monthly, Bloomington
Step Ahead, a group for women have completed breast cancer treatment, or have recurrences or survivorship issues, meets monthly to discuss general health and welfare. Location is Bakehouse East, 6 p.m., second Wednesday of the month. For more info, e-mail Webmaster@BreastCancerFYI.org.
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church sponsors a cancer support, Mission of Hope, for anyone touched by cancer. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month at the Fireside Room at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Road. For more info, contact jacque.finley@hotmail.com, or log onto the group's Web site.
Every Monday, Bloomington
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education hosts a support group for people with all types of cancer and their family and caregivers on Mondays, 1:30-3 p.m. Call (812)353-5669 for details.
Some Wednesdays, Bloomington
Caregivers Care Circle meets the first and third Wednesdays, 3:30-5 p.m. at the Alzheimer's Resource Center, 431 S.College Ave. Anyone struggling with caring for people with illness is welcome.
Some Thursdays, Bloomington
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education breast cancer support group meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7 p.m. Call (812)353-5669 for more info.
Families Facing Cancer, second Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 4200 West Third St.
By phone
Though not a "support group," The American Cancer Society sponsors a 24-hour telephone and online network to answer patient and caregiver questions.
The toll-free number is (877)333-4673 and the link is here.
Online groups
The listeners for those middle of the night blues, private panic sessions or hard-to-pinpoint ideas about treatment are right at your finger tips in the form of online support groups.
While there are many online support groups for breast cancer patients and caregivers, those with moderators provide the best exchange of ideas and information. The Wellness Center, a national program with 22 local organizations, hosts a virtual support forum.
Other online support groups and chat groups are listed on the Resources > Support Groups page of this site and click "Online Chats."
Other cities:
The Indiana University Cancer Center has launched a new program, Complete Life, to help those diagnosed with all forms of cancer deal with emotional, social, spiritual and physical needs. Check out the Web site or call Lori Losee at (317)278-6663 for more information.
The Morgan County Breast Cancer support group meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the education room at St. Francis Hospital, 1201 Hadley Road, Mooresville. Call (317)257-1505 for details.
The Mitchell Cancer Support Group meets the last Monday of every month at the Mitchell Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. The contact person is Nancy Roberts, (812)849-6357.
The Morgan County Breast Cancer support group meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the education room at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road, Mooresville.
The Owen County Cancer Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m. at the Owen County Public Library. Survivors of all types of cancer are welcome. Call (812)829-4483 for details.
St. Francis Hospital hosts a breast cancer group the second Thursday of each month, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at St. Francis Community Relations, 3145 E. Thompson Road, Indianapolis. Call (317)782-6704 for details.
Susan G. Komen Foundation, Indianapolis affiliate, hosts programs in the Indianapolis area regularly. To keep up with activities, check out Komen Indy Web site or call (317)638-CURE.
The Wellness Center in Indianapolis hosts a Metastatic Breast Cancer Networking Group for those living with metastatic cancer on the third Wednesday of each month, 6-8 p.m. The center is at 8465 Keystone Crossing, Suite 145, Indianapolis. Phone is (317) 257-1505.
The Young Survival Coalition meets second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Logan's Roadhouse, 4825 E. 82nd St. in Indianapolis. Call (317)253-0050 or (317)224-6261 for info, or check out the Young Survival Indianapolis Web site.
Cancer 101, a program for patients and caregivers also sponsored by the Wellness Community, meets the fourth Friday of each month in Indianapolis to discuss a changing list of topics. Call (317)257-1505 for details, or visit the Web site for details.
