Young Survivors

Young Survivors Support Group – Denver area

Sponsored by AdventHealth Porter

Being diagnosed with cancer in your 20’s and 30’s is very different than being diagnosed in middle age and later. If you are a cancer patient or survivor aged 20-39, please consider joining YSSG for our monthly meetings. The group is facilitated by AdventHealth Oncology Support Services staff and focuses on education, perspective and support. Note: There is no fee or registration, and you do not have to be a patient of an AdventHealth facility to attend meetings or belong to this group.

Date: Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month

Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Various depending on the speaker or activity

The group typically meets in the Denver Metro area in conference rooms or restaurants. Occasionally, there are speakers if requested by the group. Meetings are often sponsored with dinner or snacks provided.

Contact: To learn more about the group and/or to be added to the distribution list for meeting announcements, please contact Melissa Gilstrap at 303-269-4348 or email her at melissa.gilstrap@adventhealth.com.

COCA co-sponsors this group every three months.

Young Adult Cancer Support Group – AdventHealth Porter

Adults 45 years of age and younger living with cancer have unique concerns, questions, and needs. The online Young Adult Cancer Support Group invites you to share your experience, receive support and understanding from peers, and learn from skilled professionals. No aspect of life with and after cancer is off-limits for discussion.

Date: Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month

Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Location: Virtual Group Meetings via Teams

Private meeting link will be sent via email.

Facilitated by: Claire Johnston, LCSW Oncology Social Worker

To register, please call 303.765.3814 or Email: Claire.Johnston@adventhealth.com

First Descents – Denver area

621 Kalamath Street – Suite 175

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: 303.945.2490

Email: info@firstdescents.org

“First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (age 18-39) impacted by cancer… First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same.”

https://firstdescents.org/

Nicki’s Circle Young Survivor Support Group

Young Survivor Support Group from Colorado Women's Cancer Alliance

COCA partners with the Young Survivors Group: GET + TOGETHER, that meets the first Thursday evening of the month at a local restaurant. (A young survivor is someone under 40 years of age). We can add you to the email list for monthly reminders.

To learn more, contact: Melissa Gilstrap (AdventHealth Parker, Rocky Mountain - Genetic Counselor Lead) at 303.269.4348 (office) or 303.521.2650 (cell) and at melissa.gilstrap@adventhealth.com.

Young Empowered Survivors - (YES!) – Online & Denver area
youngempoweredsurvivors@gmail.com

“Young Empowered Survivors (YES!) helps connect young women dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The group focuses on support, empowerment, sharing perspectives and resources so that our members don't feel alone as they go through their cancer diagnosis and treatment. YES! provides a safe, supportive environment to do so. The members of YES! have generally been diagnosed with cancer before the age of 45, but we don't put constraints on the word "young." If you feel that you can benefit from our group, we welcome you!

Young Empowered Survivors is primarily an online resource. We have an active message board for members to share questions, ideas and helpful resources. We encourage new members to get together with other members of the group."

How To Join: Please send an email to us at youngempoweredsurvivors@gmail.com

List your type of cancer, age at diagnosis and where you live.”

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/44226150198/

Yahoo Group: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/YES_CO/info
Send a request to join our YAHOO! board. Click on this link (YES!) and choose "Join This Group." You may have to set up a free YAHOO! account to continue with the request.

Helpful Links for more information:

Stupid Cancer

Stupid Cancer’s mission is to empower those affected by young adult cancer by building community, improving quality of life and providing meaningful survivorship. With its vision of no survivor alone, the organization seeks to assure that those young adults affected by cancer are aware of the age-appropriate support resources to which they are entitled and can get busy living. Stupid Cancer’s innovative and award-winning programs have brought the cause of 'cancer under 40' to the national spotlight and rallied a new generation of activists to give a much-needed voice to this forgotten population.

One of their most popular events is CancerCon. “CancerCon is THE gathering for the adolescent and young adult cancer community. Each year, we bring together hundreds of patients, survivors, advocates and health professionals to learn, share, and build community.” It's a Denver-based cancer conference, and more information can be found here.

For more information, you can visit their website here.