What’s New at Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care

MaineGeneral Breast Cancer Support Group back to in-person meetings

The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things for cancer patients, family members and survivors. Among those changes was the suspension of in-person support groups. After three years, the Breast Cancer Support Group held at MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC) is back to in-person meetings. Held at the cancer center, the group runs on a peer-support-group model, meaning attendees run the group with guidance and suggested topics from HACCC Holistic Health Care Coordinator Heather Moore, LSW.

“Our first meeting back was in February and we had 10 people there, which was a good number for a start,” Moore says. “We encourage everyone to join us. The group is open to all and you don’t need to pre-register. We want to make this as easy and flexible for people to join as they can, for as long as they want to.”

Moore says she knows there are a number of support groups across the state that are still relying on virtual attendance. She’s grateful that the HACCC Breast Cancer Support Group can have people attend together and in person.

“As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know that this group provides an important healing environment. Being in person helps build those ties and friendships that are hard to create virtually. I hope that anyone who is interested joins us.”

The support group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, 361 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta.

If you have questions about the support group, please call Heather at 207-626-4850.