Events
Step Ahead meets July 9
Step Ahead, the support group for survivors, meets at 6 p.m. July 9 at the Scholars Bakehouse East in Bloomington. Feel free to drop by and join us. Look for the pink tablecloths. Questions? Email BreastCancerFYI.org.
Olcott to celebrate survivors
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education will host a Survivors Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. June 25 at the center, 619 W. First St. The drop-in event will feature refreshments, music, chair massages and a chance to see what's new at the center. Callthe center at 812-353-5669 if you have questions.
Monroe County Relay for Life is June 21-22
Monroe County's Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society's flagship fundraiser, gets under way at 6 p.m. June 21 at Bloomington High School North. You may join the WISE Guys team, which includes anyone from the Step Ahead group or the YMCA's WISE program, or you may simply make a donation if you can't make the event. All the details are on the website.
One special invitation: The relay organizers want cancer survivors to attend the free dinner that starts shortly after the opening ceremonies. Email Andria Hall at ahall@bloombank.com or relaymonroecounty@gmail.com if you plan to attend. This is an uplifting event where you are sure to see some old friends.
Area Relay for Life events under way
Here's the schedule for Relay for Life in surrounding counties:
- June 8-9, Relay For Life of Martinsville, 11 a.m. Morgan County Fair and 4-H Association, 1749 Hospital Road, Martinsville. Check the website for details.
- June 14-15, Relay For Life of Lawrence County, 6 p.m. at the Parkview Intermediate School track, 2024 16th Street, Bedford. Check the website for details.
- Need to find a relay in another area? The American Cancer Society website allows you to search by zip code using this link.
Bridge, golf events benefit Olcott
Two annual events that provide funds for the Olcott Center for Cancer Education are on tap in June.
- Register for Bridge for the Olcott Center, 11:30 a.m. June 25 at the Bell Trace Senior Living Center, lower level, by calling Janice Hunt at 812-824-4049 or Jan Skinner at 812-333-4545.
- June 26, Tee Up Against Cancer at the Eagle Pointe Golf Resort at Lake Monroe. The four-woman format offers both nine and 18 holes followed by dinner and raffles at the Eagle's Nest. For details, call Phyllis Davidson at phyllis.davidson@gmail.com.
Wabash Valley Komen Race for the Cure Sept. 7
The Wabash Valley Komen Race for the Cure is Sept. 7 at the Indiana State University Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute. This affiliate serves Monroe and Owen counties, as well as several others, through grants for programs that provide mammograms for uninsured women as well as other services. Check out the website for more details about the race and the organization.
Hoosiers Outrun Cancer Sept. 28
Registration is open for tHe annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer 5K is Sept. 28 at IU Memorial Stadium, sponsored by Bloomington Hospital Foundation and Indiana University. The event benefits the Indiana University Health Olcott Center for Cancer Education.
To register or learn more, visit the organization's website.
Bloomington's Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Oct. 19
Bloomington's Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is Oct. 19 at Showers Plaza in downtown Bloomington. The annual event raises money through sponsors, listed on the backs of the T-shirts, and the funds go to the Olcott Center for Cancer Education or other local group. Check out the details on the website.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Oct. 19
The Bloomington-area Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is set for Oct. 19, so mark your calendars. This is American Cancer Society's walk specifically to raise money for breast cancer awareness and programming. You can learn more at the organization's website as details become available.
Programs
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.
Look Good, Feel Better at Olcott
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education is hosting Look Good, Feel Better sessions on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
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, get dates for upcoming sessions or sign up, contact the Olcott Center at (812)353-5669.
Yoga for cancer patients on Tuesdays
Nathalie de Meyenburg of EquiLibrium Thai Massage and Yoga Therapy now offers Yoga Therapy for Cancer every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Tibetan Cultural Center on Snoddy Road, Bloomington. She has offered yoga for multiple sclerosis for the past eight years and had requests for a similar class for cancer patients and survivors. Cost is $15 per session. Check out the website or call 812-331-7423 with questions.
Free spa treatments for cancer patients
Dermal Spa in Bloomington is offering free facials, hand and foot treatments for women who are going through cancer treatment. Call 812-327-2014 to make an appointment.
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
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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 Tuesday 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.
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education hosts a support group for people with all types of cancer, and their family and caregivers. Call (812)353-5669 for dates and times.
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.
Pink Ribbon Connection provides information and resources to those touched by breast cancer. Phone (317)255-7465 for info.
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 every Monday, 6-8 p.m., at St. Francis Cancer Center, 8111 S. Emerson, Indianapolis. Call (317)257-1505 for details.
St. Vincent Cancer Support Group meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Thursdays at 8301 Harcourt Road, Indianapolis. Call Dwayne Kniola at 317-338-3067 or email dakniola@stvincent.org.
Community Health Network in Indianapolis offers support groups in different areas each week. 317-621-4323.
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.
