Support Services

 Peer Support

We currently have trained peer support volunteers, who vary greatly in age and experience. These volunteers consist of breast cancer survivors, family members, and friends.

With the diversity of our volunteers, we are able to match up those in need of support with a volunteer who has been through a similar situation.

This is incredibly beneficial to the client, because the client is receiving support from someone who actually understands what they are going through.

Please contact the centre if you are interested in speaking with a volunteer peer support person.
 

Support Groups

Living with breast cancer can be a very challenging time in anyone’s life. In a support group setting, individuals can share stories, friendship, information, coping strategies and most of all humour. They often discover strength and comfort in the company of others who have experienced what they are going through.

Some of the benefits of participating in a breast cancer support group:

• You learn more about cancer resources including books, tapes, organizations, current information and up to date websites
• You may find it easier to cope with the illness and medical procedures
• You will gain a better perspective on illness
• You will be more aware of your needs
• You will feel more empowered or able to make choices
• You will be less isolated
• You will feel as if you have more control over your situation
• "The beauty of the support group is you do not have to explain anything. Many women with breast cancer feel as if they need to shield family and friends from what they are going through. Often, women will hide how scared or angry they are from family and friends. In a support group, you do not have to protect anyone. They are there to support you."

1. Our young women’s group is specifically designed for women under 45 or women that have young children.

• Young Women’s Support Group
  2nd Tuesday of every month
  7:00pm

2. Our regular group is for women 45 and over or women with teens and older children.

• Burlington Chapter Support Meetings
  3rd Tuesday of every month
  7:00pm

3. Our advanced cancer group is available for those who have had a recurrence of cancer or have metastatic disease.

• Advanced Cancer Support Group
  3rd Wednesday of every month
  1:00pm

4. NEW! We now have a Triple Negative Support Group for women diagnosed with this rare type of breast cancer. This means that the tumor has tested negative for Estrogen, Progesterone and Her2. Often there is a genetic factor in Triple Negative diagnosis.

• Triple Negative Breast Cancer Support Group
  2nd Wednesday of every month
  7:00pm

5. NEW! BCSS is happy to introduce a new support group for Friends and Family of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. We welcome any adult (over 17), family members and friends to join this group.

• Friends & Family Support Group
  3rd Monday of every month
  7:00pm