Support Groups
Young Adult Drop-in Support Group
This group is open to any young adult (ages 18-early 40s) diagnosed with cancer. Currently, it is being offered via Zoom. The group is held on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. ET. To register, please email yap@dfci.harvard.edu with your name and the dates you wish to attend.
Virtual Young Adult Peer Program
This program is open to Dana-Farber young adult patients aged 18 to early 40s. There will be eight 75-minute Zoom sessions over eight weeks. Each session will be focused on topics pertinent to the young adult cancer experience (examples listed below) with additional time to share with your peers. A brief introductory Zoom meeting with the clinician who facilitates the program before the start of the group is required. Topics include:
- Changes and Disruptions
- "Scanxiety" and Fears
- Living with Uncertainty
- Relationships
- Communication
- Making Meaning
This program is offered quarterly. To be added to the list for the next group, please complete this form.
Virtual Young Adult Post-Treatment Program
This program is open to young adult Dana-Farber patients aged 18 to early 40s who have completed treatment or are no longer on treatment. There will be six 75-minute Zoom sessions over six weeks. Each session will have 30 minutes of educational material and 45 minutes of discussion. Some examples of topics for the sessions will be:
- Living With Long-Term Treatment Side Effects
- Fear of Recurrence & Living With Uncertainty
- Sexual Health, Dating, and Relationships
- Returning to Work or School
For Caregivers: Virtual Caregiver Peer Program
If you're a partner/spouse of a young adult with cancer, check out the Virtual Young Adult Caregiver Peer Program! This program is open to partners/spouses who are caregivers or support persons of young adult patients (~ages 18-50) receiving care at Dana-Farber.
Questions about any of our program offerings? Email yap@dfci.harvard.edu
Events
Our events focus on providing young adult patients with information around issues like dating and relationships, dealing with uncertainty, and managing anxiety; they also provide young adult patients with an opportunity to connect with their peers. Any information about events can be found on these webpages, in our newsletter, and on social media (Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter). We also offer events and resources for parents, partners, siblings, or friends caring for a young adult with cancer.
Annual Young Adult Cancer Conference
The Young Adult Cancer Conference is an annual conference for people treated for cancer as a young adult and their caregivers. After an opening session presented by a young adult who has coped with cancer, facilitated workshops provide opportunities to learn about the many issues faced by young adults, as well as opportunities to converse with others. This is a community conference and is open to patients treated both at Dana-Farber and at outside institutions. The conference is held every spring. Keep an eye out!
