Grief & Loss

While many of our participants go on to live long and fulfilling lives, death is a reality for some of our participants and their loved ones. Please know that we are still here for you after the death of a loved one from cancer. You can still take part in all of our programs and services for the first few years after a death. Don't hesitate to email or call with any questions, any time.

Grief Support Groups
We have support groups you can join, east and west, day time and evening.

Grief Books & Resources
Our medical librarian will help you find one of the many books and other resources in our libraries.

Grief Reminders

1. Grief is a normal and necessary process associated with any loss.

2. Grief involves physical as well as emotional responses.

3. Grief takes a lot of energy.

4. Allow yourself to fully experience your feelings.

5. Share your feelings with a trusted friend or professional.

6. Suggestions come from many sources; trust yourself to do what is right for you.

7. Grieve at your own pace. Have realistic expectations of yourself.

8. Deal with one hour, one day at a time. The whole situation can be overwhelming if looked at all at once.

9. Grief work may require doing things that are hard to do, such as going places you used to go together or listening to favorite songs.

10. You do not get over grief in the sense of forgetting; rather, grief will lessen and soften with time.

11. Seek help from appropriate resources such as groups, organizations and reading material related to grief.

12. See a professional counselor if that seems helpful.

Know that we are glad to speak with you about your loss one to one and you are welcome to join one of our cancer grief groups. To talk to someone regarding adult grief, please contact Karelys Ortiz Santiago or Brittani Davis today. To talk with someone regarding your child's grief, please contact Whitney Hadley.