Education

Providing accurate, clear and understandable information about cancer.

Education

With its affiliation to the GW Medical Center, the Katzen Cancer Research Center has access to physicians who wear multiple hats – as clinicians, researchers and educators. Committed to sharing the latest knowledge and evidence, these faculty members contribute to better cancer care through education. As the research activities of the Center expand, educational activities will be designed to ensure that new developments are shared with the entire cancer research community.

PATIENT EDUCATION

For full description of the support group, see below.
For More Information on Available Support Groups go to  http://www.gwumc.edu/gwci/support_groups.html
Or Contact Jennifer Bires, SW at 202-741-2218

AVAILABLE SUPPORT GROUPS AT THE KATZEN CANCER RESEARCH CENTER


GW-MFA Hematology Oncology

Events and Support Groups

May 2013
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri  
      1

Active Treat Group  12:30-1:30

 2

Brain

Tumor Group 6-8pm

 3  
5 6

 

 7

Breast Cancer Post Treat Group 6- 7:30 pm

 8

Active Treat Group  12:30-1:30

 

 9 10 Restorative Yoga 2-3pm  
12 13

 

 14

Prostate Cancer Group 6 -7:30pm

 15

Active Treat Group  12:30-1:30

 

 16

 

 17Multiple Myeloma Support Group

12-1 pm

Restorative Yoga 2-3pm

  
19 20

Look Good Feel Better

10-12

 

 21

Caregiver Group

12:30-1:30

 22

Active Treat Group 12:30-1:30

 

 23 Frankly Speaking About Advanced Breast Cancer    24 Restorative Yoga 2-3pm  
26 27

MFA Closed for Memorial Day

 28 Kids’ Club 6-7:30 29 Active Treat Group 12:30-1:30

 

 30 31 Restorative Yoga 2-3pm  
 
All groups are free and open to anyone in the metropolitan DC area.  They are located in the Medical Faculty Associates building at 2150 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC.  Yoga meets in the Washington Room of the GW Hospital basement.   Please call the group’s facilitator prior to the meeting date to confirm the meeting time and location as they are subject to change.
 

Active Treatment – general cancer support group

When:              Every Wednesday, 12:30p.m. -1:30p.m.
Where:             First floor, Cancer Center Board Room, GWU Medical Faculty Associates
Facilitator:       Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

The active treatment group is open to any cancer patient currently undergoing treatment.  We meet on a weekly basis to discuss common themes and give support.  This group is open to all diagnoses.  As it meets during the lunch hour, you are welcome to bring your lunch with you.

Caregivers’ Support Group – for family members and friends who are involved with cancer patients

You are invited to come and share common concerns, get and give advice, and learn coping skills.
When:              Third Tuesday of every month (with minor variations), 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Where:             First floor, Cancer Center Board Room, GWU Medical Faculty Associates
Facilitator:       Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

The caregiver support group is open to all people who are supporting a person with cancer.  This group meets once a month to discuss common themes and give support.  As it meets during the lunch hour, you are welcome to bring your lunch with you.

Multiple Myeloma – for patients and family members

When:              Third Friday of every month
Where:             First floor, Cancer Center Board Room, GWU Medical Faculty Associates, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Facilitator:       Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

The Multiple Myeloma group is open to patients/survivors and their caregivers.  Speakers are present at most meetings to provide education and offer support.  A light lunch is provided.

Look Good…Feel Better  – a program for women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer

When:              TBD, 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Where:             First floor, Cancer Center Board Room, GWU Medical Faculty Associates
Facilitator:       Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

The Look Good Feel Better workshop teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.  It is lead by a certified cosmetologist and each participant receives a free bag of make-up.

Prostate Cancer Support Group – for men, their families and significant others

When:              Second Tuesday of every month, 6:00p.m.-7:30p.m.
Where:             First floor, Cancer Center Board Room, GWU Medical Faculty Associates
Facilitator:       Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

The Prostate cancer support group is open to patients/survivors and their caregivers.  Speakers are present at most meetings.

Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Brain Tumor Support Group

When:              First Thursday of every month, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where:             First floor, Room 1-402, GWU Medical Faculty Associates
Facilitator:       Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

The Brain Tumor Support Group is a peer lead support group open to patients/survivors and their caregivers.

Support Group for Children Whose Parent or Grandparent Has Cancer

When:              Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Facilitators:     Jennifer Bires, MSW,  and Katy Dolan, RN, and Theo Wyche, RN
Contact:           jbires@mfa.gwu.edu to register, or call 202-741-2218

Kids’ Club is open to children ages 6-11 who have a parent or grandparent with cancer.  Food and parking are provided.  We do art activities that teach chhildren coping skills as well as words to describe their experiences.

Breast Cancer Support Group (After Treatment)

When:              First Tuesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where:             First floor, Cancer Center Board Room, GWU Medical Faculty Associates
Facilitator:      Liz Hatcher, RN  (202-994-2054 or caneao@gwumc.edu) and Lauren Woodard, LGSW (202-994-7436  or  lwoodard@mfa.gwu.edu)

The post treatment breast cancer support group is open to all breast cancer survivors who have finished treatment.  Speakers are present at most meetings.

Young Adult Group

When:              Third Thursday  of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where:             First floor, Cancer Center Board Room, GWU Medical Faculty Associates Katzen Board Room
Facilitator:      Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

The Young Adult Group is open to patients with any diagnoses between the ages of 19-39.  We will discuss the unique challenges of adjusting to cancer at this age, employment issues, relationship challenges and coping strategies.

Yoga

When:              Every Friday 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Where:             Washington Room of the George Washington University Hospital
Facilitator:      Jennifer Bires, MSW (202-741-2218 or jbires@mfa.gwu.edu)

For people living with cancer and their caregivers.  Learning breathing and relaxation techniques can help patients manage pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue. Patients have reported that their overall quality of life significantly improved in addition to mood, distress, sleep quality, and severity of cancer symptoms.  Yoga can also help improve flexibility in cancer patients, which may allow the patients to gain confidence doing basic tasks.