Support Groups

Educational and supportive groups

Bereavement Weekly Support Group

A committed group for those who have lost a loved one to cancer. Members join for at least twelve weeks with the option to extend up to fourteen months. Members must reside within the state of Illinois.

Black Women of Ethnicities Group

Please join the monthly Black Women of Ethnicities Group to meet with women who collaborate and empower one another while discussing challenges such as facing gender discrimination, bias within environments, compounding obstacles of racism, and building relationships, all through the impact of cancer diagnosis.

Facilitated by Kassandra Billups, MPC

First Thursday of the month | 10:00 – 11:30 am

Breast Cancer Monthly Support Group (ACMC)

Please join this monthly group for a supportive discussion and education regarding living with breast cancer. Those supporting a loved one with breast cancer are welcome. This group is co-facilitated by a licensed mental health practitioner and an oncology nurse navigator.

Facilitated by: Lindsay Tynes, LCSW OSW-C and Patrice Stephens, APRN, MSN, AOCN-BC
Third Wednesday of the month | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Cancer Survivors Monthly Support Group

Cancer Survivors Monthly Support Group is a time for those who have completed their cancer treatment to connect and share experiences about life post-treatment. This group is open to those with any cancer diagnosis.

Facilitated by Porcia Seals, LCSW
Second Wednesday of the month | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Caregiver Weekly Support Group

A committed group for those caring for a loved one with cancer. Members join for at least twelve weeks with the option to extend up to eighteen months, depending on their loved one’s treatment. Members must reside within the state of Illinois.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Monthly Support Group

Please join the GI Cancer Monthly Support Group for a supportive discussion and education regarding living with gastrointestinal (colorectal, gastric, liver, pancreas, cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder and other GI-related) cancer. Those supporting a loved one with GI cancer are also welcome. This group is co-facilitated by a licensed mental health practitioner and an oncology nurse navigator.

Facilitated by Mary Ann Andrade-Bekker, Psy.D., LCPC and Nicole Houlihan, RN, BSN, OCN
Second Thursday of the month | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Grupo de Apoyo Mensual

Reunirse con el grupo de apoyo mensual para Latinos impactados por cancer, incluyendo gente viviendo con cancer, familiares y amigos. En el grupo pueden obtener información, compartir recursos y recibir apoyo emocional.

Facilitado por Jasmine Carrazco LSW

Gynecological Cancer Monthly Support Group

Please join this monthly group for a supportive discussion and education regarding living with gynecological cancers. This is a time to share information and experiences. Those supporting a loved one with a gynecological cancer are welcome. 

Facilitated by Carolyn Stypka, LCSW
First Tuesday of the month | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

LGBTQIA+ Monthly Support Group (Howard Brown Health)

Please join this supportive monthly group for all those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, nonbinary, genderqueer, etc.) and have been impacted by cancer –  including those who are living with cancer, family members and friends.

Facilitated by: Paige Jeffrey, LSW
Fourth Monday of the month | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Living Beyond Loss Monthly Support Group

This caring and supportive monthly group is for anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer.

Facilitated by Carolyn Stypka, LCSW (ACMC)
Second Saturday of the month | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Facilitated by Clint Zavakos, LCSW and Steve Shields (Wells St)
Third Tuesday of the month | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Living with Cancer Weekly Support Group

A committed group for those living with cancer. Members join for at least twelve weeks with the option to extend up to eighteen months, depending on their treatment. Members must reside within the state of Illinois.

Living with Ovarian Cancer Weekly Support Group

A committed group for those living with ovarian cancer. Members must reside within the state of Illinois.

Facilitated by Fred Calla, LCPC ATR-BC
Second & fourth Tuesdays of the month |  6:00-7:30 p.m.

Lung Cancer Monthly Support Group (ACMC)

Please join the Lung Cancer Monthly Support Group for a supportive discussion and education regarding living with lung cancer. Those supporting a loved one with lung cancer are welcome. This group is co-facilitated by a licensed mental health practitioner and an oncology nurse navigator.

Facilitated by Lindsay Tynes, LCSW OSW-C and Diane Murphy, RN, BSN, OCN
Second Wednesday of the month | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Men’s Group (ACMC)

This men’s only group is for those who are living with cancer or have a loved one living with cancer. Topics may include cancer and wellness, sports and movies and anything in between.

Facilitated by: Ross Alexander, LCSW
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Metatastic Breast Cancer Monthly Support Group

This group is held in partnership with the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. An Advanced Practice Provider (APP) from the Cancer Center co-facilitates the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Facilitated by Fredelyn Calla, LCPC, ATR-BC
First and third Tuesday of the month | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Northwestern Weekly Check-In Group

This is an opportunity for people who regularly attend programming at Northwestern to touch base with each other via a live Zoom conference.

Prostate Cancer Monthly Support Group

Please join this monthly group for a supportive discussion regarding living with prostate cancer. Topics discussed may include treatment options, quality of life, incontinence, intimacy concerns, fear of recurrence and more. Those supporting a loved one with prostate cancer are also welcome. This group is held in partnership with the Zero Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network.

Facilitated by: Jim Schraidt and Clint Zavakos, LCPC
Third Thursday of the month | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Providers Living with Cancer Monthly Support Group

Each day, healthcare providers expend a great deal of energy focused on taking care of others. This monthly group has been created to provide a space for professionals living with cancer to dedicate time to taking care of themselves. The group will allow members to talk about personal experiences and journeys. No one will be asked to share medical advice or expertise in this group. Providers from all disciplines are welcome.

Facilitated by: Kathryn West LCSW
4th Wednesday of the month | 7:00—8:30 p.m.

Viviendo después del duelo y la pérdida

Esté grupos de apoyo mensual esta abierto a aquellos que han perdido un ser querido al cáncer.

Facilitado por Jasmine Carrazco LSW

Young Adult Monthly Support Group

Please join this supportive monthly group for young adults (ages 18-39) who have been impacted by cancer, including those who are living with cancer, family members and friends.

Facilitated by: Paige Jeffrey, LSW
Third Tuesday of the month | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Our support groups are open to those who have cancer themselves, those supporting a loved one with cancer, and those who have lost a loved one to cancer. Our support groups are facilitated by a licensed mental health professional. Some monthly groups are co-facilitated with a medical professional and/or community partner trained in our supportive framework. Virtual groups are not limited by hospital affiliation. You are welcome to attend all applicable groups. If you are unsure if a group is appropriate for you, please contact a Program Staff Member.

Observation of groups is not allowed. All Gilda’s Club Chicago Support Groups are intended for adults. By registering for a group, you are affirming you are above the age of 18.

For those new to Gilda's Club, attending a Beyond the Red Door: Orientation is required, before attending a Monthly Support Group. These take place every week and can be found on the calendar. For those interested in a Weekly Support Group, attending Orientation, and completing a Membership Plan are required.

If you have any questions, please contact a Program Staff member by emailing [email protected] or calling 312-464-9900.