Patient and Carer support groups

On this page:
> Online Patient support group
> Online Carer support group
> Online Presenter lead support group
> Online Grief life and loss support group
> Face to Face support group

Online Patient support groups

We understand that living with an upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer can have a profound impact on your wellbeing. Our PanSupport Patient Support Group provides an opportunity to interact with people who share similar experiences with you. Our groups provide a place to talk about the challenges you may be facing; an opportunity to share learnings, practical tips and information; and a community for comfort and support.

Held online on the first Thursday of each month from 11am – 12:30pm (AEST).

2023 meeting schedule:

• Thursday 2nd February 2023
• Thursday 2nd March 2023
• Thursday 6th April 2023
• Thursday 4th May 2023
• Thursday 1^st June 2023  
• Thursday 6th July 2023
• Thursday 3^rd August 2023
• Thursday 7^th September 2023
• Thursday 5^th October 2023
• Thursday 2^nd November 2023
• Thursday 7th December 2023 ( End of year online support group – This session will cover highlights and milestones through the year and how we can prepare for the Christmas break with Mindfulness.

Online Carer support groups

We understand that caring for a person living with an upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer can have a profound impact on your wellbeing. Our PanSupport Carer Support Groups provides an opportunity to interact with people who share similar experiences with you.

Held online on the last Thursday of each month.

2023 meeting schedule:

• Thursday 23rd February 2023
• Thursday 23rd March 2023
• Thursday 27th April 2023
• Thursday 25th May 2023
• Thursday 22nd June 2023
• Thursday 27th July 2023
• Thursday 24th August 2023
• Thursday 28th September 2023
• Thursday 26thOctober 2023
• Thursday 23rd November 2023

Online Specialist Presenter lead support groups

Once a month we hold a combined patient and carer online support group featuring a specialist presenter who will discuss a specific, relevant topic, such as survivorship, diet and nutrition and managing side effects of treatment. These sessions are suitable for patients and their loved ones just diagnosed, going through, or post treatment for pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary or oesophageal cancers.

Held online on the third Thursday of each month from 11am – 12:30pm (AEST).

2023 meeting schedule:

• Thursday 16th February 2023
• Thursday 16th March 2023
• Thursday 20th April 2023
• Thursday 18th May 2023
• Thursday 15th June 2023
• Thursday 20th July 2023
• Thursday 17^th August 2023
• Thursday 21^st September 2023
• Thursday 19^th October 2023
• Thursday 16^th November 2023

Online Grief life and loss support group

Our monthly peer to peer online support group provides a supportive forum for people who have lost a loved one from an upper gastrointestinal cancer. This group also provides a safe and confidential space for people to share experiences of loss and to give and receive support from one another. The group will be facilitated by our PanSupport Emotional Wellbeing Counsellors, Mira and Joanna who will assist in navigating topics such as:

• experiences of loss
• strategies for living with grief
• changes in roles, responsibilities, relationships & sense of identity
• practical changes in daily life after loss
• looking ahead.

Held online on the second Thursday of each month from 11am – 12:30pm (AEST).

2023 meeting schedule:

• Thursday 9th February 2023
• Thursday 9th March 2023
• Thursday 13th April 2023
• Thursday 11th May 2023
• Thursday 8th June 2023
• Thursday 13th July 2023
• Thursday 10th August 2023
• Thursday 14th September 2023
• Thursday 12th October 2023
• Thursday 9th November 2023

Face-to-face patient support group meetings

If you live in Melbourne or Adelaide you may like to join our face-to-face support groups and connect with others that live near you.

Melbourne

Watsonia Library
Community Room
4-6 Ibbottson Street, Watsonia, Victoria
Held on the last Friday of the month from 11am – 1pm

Upcoming dates:

• Friday 24^th February 2023
• Friday 31^st March 2023
• Friday 28^th April 2023
• Friday 26^th May 2023
• Friday 30^th June 2023
• Friday 28^th July 2023
• Friday 25^th August 2023
• Friday 22^nd September 2023
• Friday 27^th October 2023
• Wednesday 22^nd November 2023
• Friday 15^th December 2023

Please remember to RSVP if you would like to attend any of these groups

Adelaide

The Tennyson Centre
Conference Room
520 South Road, Kurralta Park, South Australia

Held on the last Friday of the month from 11am – 1pm

Upcoming dates:

• Friday 24^th February 2023
• Friday 31^st March 2023
• Friday 28^th April 2023
• Friday 26^th May 2023
• Friday 30^th June 2023
• Friday 28^th July 2023
• Friday 25^th August 2023
• Friday 29^th September 2023
• Friday 27^th October 2023
• Wednesday 22^nd November 2023
• Friday 15^th December 2023

Please remember to RSVP if you would like to attend any of these groups

Cancer Council telephone support groups

The Pancreatic Cancer Telephone Support Group, run by Cancer Council New South Wales, is a free, professional facilitated support group, you can access from the comfort of your home or workplace, wherever you are in Australia. They are open groups and you can join in whenever you feel well enough, on an ongoing basis.

How does it work? Members are telephoned by Cancer Council so there are no costs to participate. You can be called on a landline or a mobile.

To find out more, call Cancer Council NSW national referral line on 1300 755 632 or email [email protected]

• The Pancreatic TSG meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1.30pm – 2.30pm (EST) and accepts new members at any time.

• The Advanced Cancer TSG meets the first and third Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm – 2.30pm (EST) and is for people with a variety of cancers, including pancreatic cancer.

• The Carers’ TSG meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 1.30pm – 2.30pm (EST) and is for people caring for someone with any cancer, including pancreatic cancer.

• The Life After Loss TSG for people whose loved one has died from a cancer-related illness. This is ‘closed’ six-session format, running weekly held across specific dates TBC.

• The Telephone Support Group program is offered by Cancer Council NSW in conjunction with Cancer Council Victoria.

Learn more:
> Head to our homepage and sign up to our newsletter to receive notifications about upcoming support groups and events.
> View our events calendar to learn more about our upcoming Living Well Series webinars.

Find out about our upcoming support groups.

LEARN MORE

Specialist Support Team 1300 881 698