The Community Cancer Support Group was formed to help meet the needs and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. The group reaches out to new cancer patients to offer their assistance in any way they can and to offer hope, not only as they go through treatment but also with the often overwhelming problems that come from this disease. Our team, which consists of genuine people, with many special talents and one common goal hold monthly meetings, make hospital visits and phone calls and offer encouragement, experience and educational materials. Guest speakers who appear at our meetings focus on the medical, emotional, psychological, educational and spiritual needs of cancer patients. We are an advocacy group for those with cancer. Fund raising is not our primary function and we are not primarily a governmental action organization. We take a stance of hope without denying the reality of cancer and we reach out to other cancer patients to let them know that "YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"

The Community Cancer Support Group is a non-profit organization for everyone who has cancer and their families and friends. Dr. Iyengar and George Strydio met with a core group of team members to discuss what was needed to meet the needs of cancer patients in our area. A Social Worker and at least two oncology nurses are present at every meeting.

The meetings start with a welcome to old and new friends. We pledge allegiance to the flag, have a candle lighting and reading of the cancer prayer. We play our theme song "These Hands" by Kayt Wolf while holding hands. Each meeting includes a guest speaker or entertainment followed by a question and answer period. Some of the subjects we cover are doctor-patient relationships, managing treatment side effects, mediation, and the role of exercise, nutritional supplements, diet and holistic healing. The emphasis is on the application of ideas that will help us take control of and contribute to our healing. We have a birthday cake at every meeting and sing "Happy Birthday" to our members celebrating a birthday in that month.

This group operates on a positive agenda, there is no negativity. There is complete confidentiality. Studies have shown that when the emotional need of the cancer patient is given a high priority an environment is created that is conductive to the basic essentials of physical treatment. Most importantly, it gives everyone a place to express his or her fears and frustrations freely. Subjects can include how to live with an ostomy, to the best exercises following surgery. We all have something of value to offer one another especially new friends. If you or anyone you love has cancer, please join us and learn how therapeutic involvement can be to your health.