Support Groups for Patients and Caregivers

Stony Brook Medicine offers a wide range of support/educational/physical programs for our patients, family members, and staff. All programs are free but require registration. Cancer support groups include presentations by medical staff as well as a chance to interact with others facing a cancer diagnosis. Our educational and physical activities are designed with patients and their needs as the primary focus. Call (631) 444-4000 for information about any of our programs or contact our Cancer Community Outreach Coordinator at (631) 638-0004 for our cancer support groups.

ALS Support Group
Meets: 1st Tuesday of the month
Time: 6-8 pm
Place: 181 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 5, East Setauket
Call:  (631) 444-4623


Alzheimer Disease Caregivers Group
Education and support for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or a related dementia
Meets: Every Thursday
Time: 1 pm
Place: Christ Church United Methodist, Port Jefferson Station
Call: (631) 632-3160


Amputee Support Group
Open to anyone who has undergone or is anticipating an amputation (family and caregivers are welcome). Meet others with similar experiences and discuss life's daily challenges and situations.
Time: Second Tuesday of every month. 

Places:

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
240 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, NY
Teaching Center, Third Floor
Time: 11:30AM

Stony Brook University Hospital
101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook
Lobby Conference Room, Level 5
Time: 4:00PM

Registration is required
For more information, call: (631) 444-2041


Bereavement Support Group
Open to all patients, family members and staff who have lost a loved one
Arranged individually with chaplain
Call: (631) 444-4000


Breastfeeding Support Group 
A weekly get-together of breastfeeding mothers and babies. Join in the sharing, or just listen, to other moms’ challenges and joys of breastfeeding. Get answers to your questions: how do I know if my baby is getting enough milk? What about pumping and getting back to work? Find out that you are not alone! Sessions are facilitated by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) or Certified Breastfeeding Counselors (CBCs). Light refreshments are served. No registration necessary.
Meets: Every Monday
Time: 6:30 to 8 pm
Place: 6 Technology Drive, E. Setauket 
No registration necessary. For questions call Keri at (631) 444-7650.
Follow us on Facebook at Stony Brook Breastfeeding Support Group


Brain Tumor Support Group
*Meetings are currently being held virtually

Meets: 3rd Wednesday, Bi-monthly
Time: 6:30pm- 7:30pm
Contact: Erin Harabes, LMHC
Call: (631) 444-3448
Email: erin.harabes@stonybrookmedicine.edu


Carol M. Baldwin-Breast Cancer Education/Support Group
Get together with other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to Learn more about managing this disease and share personal experiences. Education & support for breast cancer patients.
Meets: 1st Wednesday of the month
Time: 7 pm
Place: Holiday Inn Express - 3131 Nesconset Highway (Route 347), Stony Brook, NY
Call: Paulet at (631) 638-7783 or Mary at (631) 444-1354.


Chemotherapy Orientation
Everything you need to know about chemotherapy. Patients and one family member may attend.
Meets: Varies weekly
Time: Days/Evenings
Place: Cancer Center Conference Room
Call: (631) 444-4000


Colorectal Cancer Survivorship and Support Group
For patients who are newly diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, as well as those in treatment and those who have completed treatment.
Meets: 4th Monday of the month
Time: 6 pm
Place: Cancer Center 
Call: (631) 444-4000


Eastern Long Island Brain Aneurysm Support Group
This support group offers group discussions and educational lectures for survivors, family members and caregivers of patients recovering from subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm treatments and AVMs.
Meets: Monthly
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Place: Stony Brook University Hospital Lobby Conference Room
Please contact Dawn Madigan for meeting dates at (631) 444-8121, or Dawn.Madigan@stonybrookmedicine.edu


Epilepsy Support Group
Meetings held virtually
Share your experiences, concerns and join in discussions about epilepsy. Co-led by a social worker from the Epilepsy Foundation, and a neurology resident at Stony Brook Medicine, each session is largely participant directed. Free. Open to all patients, family members and caregivers.
Meets: 1st Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Place: Via Microsoft® TEAMS
Call: (631) 444-8119 to register


GIFT for Kids (Giving Inspiration, Fighting Together)
Support, education, caring and sharing for children ages 6 to 17 whose parent/caregiver has been diagnosed with cancer.
Meets: 1st Thursday of the month
Time: 6 pm
Place: Cancer Center Conference Room
Call: (631) 444-4000


Gynecologic Oncology Support Group
Support and education for patients with GYN cancer.
Meets: Last Tuesday of the month
Time: 7 pm
Place: Cancer Center 
Call: (631) 444-3442


Head and Neck Support Group - SPOHNC NY/Stony Brook
Support for people with oral, head, and neck cancer, SPOHNC is a national organization with 90 chapters across the U.S. The organization offers support and information to patients diagnosed with a variety of cancers of the mouth, throat, head and neck. Family members and friends are welcome to attend meetings.
Please contact Dennis Staropoli at (631) 682-7103 for meeting dates and times.


Huntington's Disease Support Group
*Meetings are currently being held virtually

Meets: 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30pm- 7:30pm
Contact: Erin Harabes, LMHC
Call: (631) 444-3448
Email: erin.harabes@stonybrookmedicine.edu


Infants and Children's Memorial Garden
The purpose of the garden is to offer a place of peace and solace for grieving families and as a beautiful tribute to the lives of the children.
Website:https://www.stonybrookchildrens.org/specialties-services/supportive-services/childrens-memorial-garden
Call: (631) 444-9321


I'm Too Young For This
Peer support/gathering for young adults living with cancer
Meets: Varies
Time: Varies
Place: Outside venue/varies
Call: (631) 444-4000


Leukemia/Lymphoma Support Group
Education and support for patients with blood cancers
Meets: 3rd Tuesday of the month
Time: 6-7 pm
Place: Cancer Center - Second Floor
Call: (631) 638-0922


Little Angel Fund
A support network for parents of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit babies.
Call: (631) 736-2512


Look Good, Feel Better
A free program that teaches beauty techniques to women who are actively undergoing cancer treatment, to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. Offered in conjunction with the American Cancer Society.
Meets: 1st Monday of the month
Time: 6 pm
Place: Cancer Center Conference Room
Call: (800) 227-2345


Lung Cancer Support Group
Education and support for patients with lung cancer.
Meets: 3rd Tuesday of the month
Time: 7 pm
Place: Cancer Center Conference Room
Call: (631) 638-0039


March of Dimes NICU Family Support Group
Sponsored by the March of Dimes support group meetings include a parent enrichment hour and programs and activities for siblings.
Meets: Stony Brook University Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Call: (631) 444-9321


Parent/Family Support for Children with Cancer
Meets: 2nd Tuesday of the month
Time: 6-7 pm
Place: Cancer Center - Pediatric area
Call: (631) 638-0922


Parkinson's Disease Support Group
*Meetings are currently being held virtually

Meets: 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 2pm-3pm
Contact: Sarah Cohen, PT, DPT
Call (631) 644-6667

Meets: Last Sunday of the month
Time: 12pm-1pm
Contact: Erin Harabes, LMHC
Call: (631) 444-3448
Email: erin.harabes@stonybrookmedicine.edu


Pregnancy Education Classes
A one-hour class in a 3-part series including information on breastfeeding, labor and delivery, and post-partum/newborn care. No fee, registration is required. Includes a tour of labor and delivery area.
Meets: 1st three Wednesdays of the month at 7-9 pm; Also, 4th Saturday of the month at 9 am-1 pm
Place: Stony Brook University Hospital Lobby, by the grand piano
Call: (631) 444-4000


Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
Learn what you need to know about breastfeeding to help you and your baby get off to a good start and avoid common problems. Class is free and requires pre-registration. 
Place: Stony Brook University Hospital
Call: (631) 444-2201


Prostate Cancer Support Group
Education and support for patients with prostate cancer.
Meets: 1st Tuesday of the month
Time: 7 pm
Place: 33 Research Way, E. Setauket
Call: (631) 444-4343


Smoking Cessation
Programs offered through the New York State Smokers Quitline.
Call: (866) 697-8487


Strength for Life
Exercise class for patients and staff.
Meets: Tuesdays
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Place: Surg Onc Waiting Room
Call: (631) 444-4000 to register


Stroke Support Groups
Two monthly virtual meetings offered. Receive encouragement, feedback and inspiration. Gain knowledge. Learn about helpful programs and resources. 
Stroke Caregiver Support Group
Meets: Second Tuesday of every month
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Place: Virtual via Microsoft Teams®
Call: (631) 638-2638 (for information on how to join our virtual meeting)

Stroke Survivor Support Group
Meets: Last Tuesday of every month
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Place: Virtual via Microsoft Teams®
Call: (631) 638-2638 (for information on how to join our virtual meeting)


Thyroid Cancer Support Group
Support and education for patients with thyroid cancer.
Meets: 4th Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Cancer Center 
Call: (631) 444-3442


Upper GI Cancer Support Group
Education and support for patients with upper GI cancers
Meets: 2nd Wednesday of the month
Time: 7 pm
Place: Cancer Center Conference Room
Call: (631) 638-7783


Yoga for Life
Meets: Mondays
Time: 6-7:15 pm
Place: Surg Onc Waiting Room
Call: (516) 381-0130 or email puerta99@optonline.net

Last Updated
08/03/2022