New Breast Cancer Support Group to meet 4th Thursday of each Month

When it comes to cancer diagnoses, Breast Cancer is the most common among women besides to skin cancers. A Breast Cancer diagnosis can cause great disruption in a person’s life and the lives of their loved ones. There are new terms to learn, treatment options to explore and insurance questions to be answered.

Patients and their families often are overwhelmed and not sure where to turn after a diagnosis.

St. Joseph's/Candler’s Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion believes in a holistic approach to stabilizing cancer patients’ wellness from diagnosis to treatment and on through recovery. With that approach in mind, the Pavilion will launch a Breast Cancer Support Group to bring clarity and calm to an otherwise uncertain and confusing time in one’s life.

The group’s mission will be to help individuals and families affected by breast cancer navigate every stage of their journey. The meetings are led by St. Joseph's/Candler nurse navigators Michelle Beasley, MSN and Rachel Sallach, BSN, OCN, who guide patients and loved ones with hope, support, education, and encouragement.

The support group meetings will occur 6 - 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at Candler Hospital’s Marsh Auditorium.  A light dinner will be provided.

Community, connection and hope through peer support

The support group is a welcoming, confidential space where individuals diagnosed with breast cancer—whether current patients or survivors—can connect with others who have had similar experiences. Attendees will be able to share challenges, successes, and coping strategies in a safe, judgment-free environment.

Survivors may find ongoing support beneficial as they adjust to life after treatment, process their experiences, and continue their healing journey while also offering hope and encouragement to others who are newly diagnosed.

The group is not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment. It can serve, however, as a complementary resource for participants seeking to build resilience, reduce feelings of isolation, and strengthen their support network.

What a typical session may entail

• Open discussions about the emotional and physical impacts of breast cancer.
• Opportunities to share personal experiences and listen to others’ stories.
• Conversations about coping with treatment side effects, survivorship, fear of recurrence, as well as how to manage relationships, work, and self-care.
• Education, resources and practical tips regarding wellness, stress management, and navigating life during and after treatment.

 

 

2026 Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting Dates

WHEN: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays: July 23; August 27; September 24; and October 22

WHERE: Candler Hospital, 5353 Reynolds St., Savannah (in the Marsh Auditorium, which is located on the first floor)

FOR MORE INFORMATION and to RSVP: Call Sarah Copeland at 912-819-5167