Virtual Educational & Support Programs January 2025 | | Learning & Making Connections Supportive Cancer Care has different types of group-based programs for people affected by cancer. These groups can help you stay informed and feel connected. Most programs are online, but some programs are in-person. Please follow the registration instructions for each program. Educational/experiential sessions and regular support groups are run by BC Cancer Counsellors, Social Workers, Art Therapists, and Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellors. Programs provide information, tools and support for self-managing emotional, relational, and practical issues. People with cancer and their family members can also speak with a Counsellor in-person, virtually over Zoom, or over the phone. Please contact Patient and Family Counselling Services to make an appointment. View Programs & Calendar | Group Programs for Chinese-Speaking Patients and Families | 
在線華語靜觀減壓課程 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Online Program for Chinese-Speaking Patients 「靜觀減壓」課程是讓癌症病人學習活在當下，減輕壓力和心靈痛苦，培養心靜平和的生活態度面對未來不肯定的日子，提昇生活質素。課程由美國麻省大學醫學院退休教授Jon Kabat-Zinn 博士編創。 The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program is about learning to be present, managing stress, and facing uncertainties with peace. MBSR was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1979. 國語課程: 2025年1月 – 3月 粵語課程: 預計2025年9月至12月舉辦 Mandarin class: Jan – Mar 2025 Cantonese class: Sept – Dec 2025 Register | 在線華語互助小組 Online Support Group for Chinese-speaking Patients 卑詩癌症局「華語互助小組」讓病人及家屬在安全氣氛下聯繫、抒發感受和分享面對癌症的經歷。小組由專業輔導員主持，分別以國、粵語舉行。利用在線視像會議形式進行，組員安坐家中參與。歡迎卑詩省華語癌症病人及家屬參加。 Online Support Group provides Chinese-speaking cancer patients and caregivers a safe space to connect, share their experience and feelings in coping with their cancer. Facilitated by professional counsellors, the Group is offered in Cantonese and in Mandarin, using the online video-conferencing format. Participants attend the group from their homes. Chinese-speaking cancer patients and their families living in BC are welcome. 粵語小組: 2025年2月19日(星期三) ; 上午 10:00 - 11:30 國語小組: 2025年2月26日 (星期三); 上午 10:00 - 11:30 Cantonese group: Feb 19th, 2025 (Wednesday); 10:00 - 11:30am Mandarin group: Feb 26th, 2025 (Wednesday); 10:00 - 11:30am Click here for more details 報名在線國語互助小組 Online Mandarin Support Group Registration 報名在線粵語互助小組 Cantonese Support Group Registration | Creative & Experiential Groups | Young Adults Group A group for younger adults with cancer, who are 20 to 40 years old. This group connects members with others who are the same age. We focus on topics specific to young adults with cancer. We do some creative journaling and art exercises together. Meets second Tuesday of every month, 10:30-12PM on Zoom. Register | | New Year, New (St)Art An online group which will include some simple creative reflections for starting the new year. Sessions are on Tuesdays, Jan 14 - 28, 2025. They will take place over Zoom from 1:00 - 2:30pm. If you have questions, please email: shankinson@bccancer.bc.ca Register | | Art & Music Studio Group A time for creativity and self care. We meet once per month over Zoom and participants are welcome to use their art materials of choice. Sessions run from 1-3pm on the following dates: - Wed Jan 15
- Thurs Feb 13
- Thurs Mar 20
- Thurs Apr 10
Register | | Art therapy workshops (in-person, Vancouver) These workshops are an ideal way to discover your creativity and connect with others. We provide the materials and you do not need any experience to join. Held in-person at BC Cancer - Vancouver. The following workshops are scheduled: - Vision Collage: Reflect on the year ahead with an easy collage project. Wednesday, January 22, 1:00-3:00pm
- Simple Sewing / Mending : Mend an item of clothing or learn how to hand stitch something simple. Thursday, February 13, 1:00-3:00pm
- Labyrinth: Create a labyrinth and discover the meaning behind them. Thursday, March 13, 1:00-3:00pm
Register | | Knitting Circle at BC Cancer - Vancouver Library Join our in-person knitting circle! All materials provided. No experience necessary. Sessions are on Thursdays from 2 - 4pm on the following dates: - January 9 and 23
- February 6 and 20
- March 6 and 20
The group is located at the BC Cancer Library (675 W 10th Ave), first floor of the Research Building. Please call 604-675-8002 to be let inside. Register | | Create Like the Masters Art Therapy Inspired by Picsasso, Van Gogh, and others An online group where we will learn about some different artists and the techniques they used to inspire your own creativity - no pressure to make a masterpiece yourself! Sessions are on Tuesdays, Feb 4 - March 11, 2025. They take place virtually from 1:00-2:00pm. Register | | Relaxation & Music Therapy Group Online guided imagery and music therapy experience, designed to promote relaxation and nervous system regulation. Mondays: 5:30-6:30PM Wednesday: 10:30-11:30 AM Friday: 2:30-3:30 PM Call to Register: 604-877-6000 or 1-800-663-3333 ext 672194 | | MAiD Bereavement Support Group Bi-Weekly Virtual Sessions When a family member chooses medical assistance in dying (MAiD) they may experience a wide range of emotions. PHSA Spiritual Care is hosting a bi-weekly bereavement support group for family, friends and loved ones of MAiD recipients from across B.C. and the Yukon. Our hope is to create a safe and compassionate space to share and express feelings within a supportive culture. Meets second and fourth Thursdays from 1:30-2:30pm or 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom. Email to register: virtualspiritualhealth@phsa.ca | | Group focuses will include: - Exploring what has shaped our understanding of dying and death (e.g. spiritual and cultural teachings, science, social taboos): what about us ends, what continues, and how do we want to offer ourselves to those processes?
- Exploring what allows for healing and releasing burdens, what still needs tending in our lives, and what are our sources of strength and connection – e.g. love for the living, for ancestors and future generations, for Earth
- Generating compassion for ourselves and others, and a trauma-informed approach to working with grief and pain
| Group meeting times: 8 Wednesdays starting February 5th, 2025, from 11:00am - 12:15pm | | | | The Sacred Work of Dying The coming apart of the dying process can include healing, releasing burdens, and opening to a deeper, wider connectedness and way of continuing. This group will support intentional coming apart, as well as intentional opening. The sessions will include short, guided practices, themes for exploration, and group sharing. This group is intended to be welcoming and inclusive of people from diverse spiritual, cultural and religious traditions, as well as those who are not connected with any tradition. Registration will be open first to residents in BC or the Yukon who have little access to other supports – e.g. due to remote location, or limited ability to travel. Access to Zoom video call is needed, and participation for the full 8 weeks is requested, as possible with your health. To register, please email: virtualspiritualhealth@phsa.ca | | | | | The Role of Redemption in Suffering: A Spiritual Health Workshop Series This creative and experiential workshop series has been designed for patients who are wishing to have a deeper understanding of spiritual and philosophical perspectives on suffering while trying to find notes of redemption amidst a difficult experience. Led by BC Cancer’s Multi-Faith Spiritual Health Practitioner, each participant will be gently guided through the turbulent waters of suffering, while being provided with perspectives to help both validate and/or perhaps reframe their understanding and experience of suffering and tools to help cultivate inner resources for resilience. The workshop is open to people of all communities, cultural backgrounds, faiths, religious and non-religious traditions. The workshop, facilitated via Zoom, will have five sessions, each two hours in length, that will have a mix of education and discussion, as well as creative and spiritual exercises that are accessible to a wide variety of participants. There will be some light home practice, where participants will be asked to reflect on certain questions prior to class. | | Class Schedule Jan 28th: Horizons: An Overview of Suffering from different Spiritual Perspectives Feb 4th: Lament: The Roar of our Grief Feb 11th: A Light in the Darkness: Meaning Making amid Suffering Feb 18th: Oasis in the Desert: Reclaiming Territory One Seed at a Time Feb 25th: Hope & Faith: Dubious Shapeshifters or Trusted Allies? | Sessions run Tuesdays from 2-4pm. Only 10 spots are available for this session. Please register by January 15th, 2025. Register | | | Affirmation Workshop This is an in-person workshop at BC Cancer - Surrey. Create your own powerful affirmations and learn to reframe your negative thoughts and beliefs. Affirmations can help you to motivate yourself, encourage positive changes in your life, or boost your self-esteem. Sessions are the last Thursday of the month, from 2- 4pm. Call to register: 604-930-4000 | | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a weekly 8-session course designed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, University of Massachusetts Medical School. The goal of the course is to help people with serious illnesses or life challenges to lower their stress and suffering. It is about learning to be present while living with uncertainties. To express your interest and be added to our waitlist, please register. | | Job Search Seminar This seminar is offered once every two months for those with a history of cancer and covers the following topics: - How to address gaps in a resume because of cancer
- Obligations for disclosure about health history
- Human Rights protection
The next seminar will be held on January 16th from 9:30 - 11:30am (Zoom). Register Online Or Call to Register: 1-800-663-3333 ext 672194 | | Return to Work Group This seminar series is offered once every two months for those with a history of cancer. The series consists of four sessions and covers the following topics: - Preparing for your workplace transition
- Enhancing workplace wellbeing
- Understanding the return to work process
The next group is scheduled for January 23rd and 30th, and February 6th and 13th, 2025. Register Online Or Call to Register: 1-800-663-3333 ext 672194 | | Self-Management Resources | Spiritual Health Spiritual health is important to a person’s well-being. It should be a part of each person’s healthcare plan. Watch our video to better understand spiritual health care and learn how to access this service if you are a BC Cancer patient, family member, or caregiver. More videos to come! To make an appointment for Spiritual Care please call: 1-604-877-6000 ex.672115 Video | | Memory Attention and Adaptation Training Program. This book has been made to help with treatment-related cognition issues. If you are interested in this book, please contact library@bccancer.bc.ca. | | Meditation & Relaxation Playlists BC Cancer has created playlists with audio for meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation. You can access them on your web browser. View Playlists | | Exercise Information Regular exercise is safe and recommended before, during and after cancer treatments. Common Questions | | Nutrition during cancer treatment Looking for help managing a poor appetite or weight loss? Learn simple strategies from a dietitian in this video. | | Understanding Spirituality Spirituality is a core aspect of humanity through which people seek their meaning, purpose, and transcendence (being able to go beyond normal limits or boundaries) HANDOUT | | Spiritual Care for Indigenous Patients At BC Cancer we recognize Indigenous spirituality and cultural backgrounds, traditional ceremonies, practices and traditions, are integral parts of holistic healing. Our Indigenous Patient Navigators can connect our Indigenous Patients (Métis, First Nations and Inuit) to Elders in various regions throughout the province, and you can also request traditional healing, practices, and medicines.
More Information: Indigenous Cancer Control
| | Tumour-Based Support Groups | Living with Metastatic Cancer The focus is on living well and sharing your experience with others who understand, thereby breaking down isolation. Every Friday 10-11:30AM (Zoom) Pre-registration required Call to Register: 604-930-4000000 ext. 672194 | | Head & Neck Cancer Support Group Are you a patient, or a family member of someone, who is just beginning, going through, or completed treatment for head and neck (oral) cancer? These monthly virtual sessions provide information, ideas for coping, and time to connect and share experiences with others. BC Cancer - Victoria (Open to All) 1st Thursday of each month, 10:15-11:45AM For January only, session will be held on January 9th from 10:15-11:45AM Call to Register: 250-519-5525 BC Cancer - Vancouver (Only Vancouver Patients) Last Wednesday of every month, 2-3:30PM Call to Register: 604-877-6000 ext. 672194 | | Brain Tumour Support Group This support group is for individuals living with a malignant brain tumour and their caregivers. The group provides a space for participants to share their experiences, exchange helpful information, and connect with others.
First Wednesday of Each Month (excluding statutory holidays) from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Call to Register Your Interest: 604-877-6000 ext. 672194 | | Lung Cancer Support Group This virtual support group is for people with lung cancer in BC, to connect with one another and have a space to share experiences and information. 4th Monday of every month 10-11:30AM (Zoom) Call to Register: 604-930-4000 | | Relaxation Group BC Cancer Kelowna Do you sometimes feel tense? Do you want to learn ways to calm your mind and relax your body? Join now! Call or drop-in to Patient & Family Counselling To register call: 250-712-3963 or 1-888-563-7773 ext 683963 Every Tuesday, 10-11:15am Okanagan Room, 2nd Floor | | Community Workshops/Services | | | Look Good Feel Better Workshops Virtual workshops for those with cancer learning how to manage the appearance-related impact of cancer and it’s treatment. With the pandemic all programs are now delivered virtually. Find Workshops & Register | | | | Canadian Cancer Society Provides information, programs and services to support people dealing with cancer. Services include: places to stay when travelling for treatment, talking to an information specialist, wig and breast prosthesis loan program, connecting with an online cancer community and Travel Treatment Fund. Find Information & Support | | |
Young Adult Cancer Canada
Supporting young adults living with, through, and beyond cancer. YACC is here to be the connection to peers, bridge out of isolation, and source of inspiration. Every cancer, every stage, YACC’s got your back. Visit Young Adult Cancer Website | | | | InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care InspireHealth is here to support your physical and mental health during cancer with one-on-one consultations and daily classes and workshops, available in-person and online. Exercise therapy, nutrition support, counselling, stress reduction, cancer education and more – all available free of charge and no referral needed. Find Support & Get Started | | | InspireHealth’s LIFE Program is a free 2-day in-person education program for cancer patients and caregivers. Led by healthcare professionals, this program offers practical tools to improve health & well-being during and after cancer treatment. Join an upcoming program: Vancouver: January 13-14, 2025 Kamloops: January 28-29, 2025 Kelowna: February 4-5, 2025 Victoria: February 25-26, 2025 Learn More & Register | | Fort St. John Cancer Support Circles Society This group provides a safe space for those impacted by cancer to share their stories and feelings with those facing similar challenges. Peer-based support encompasses: - Mental, physical, and emotional assistance
- Guidance with navigating and communicating with your healthcare team
- Providing access to essential information
- Helping you locate financial support if necessary
Fort St. John Hospital also offers a dedicated wig room to support clients from across the Peace Region. Support circles meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. For more information, please contact fsjcsc@gmail.com | | Cancer Exercise Research Patients are welcome to participate in an online study held by UBC: Cancer Exercise and Rehabilitation Studies. Click for more information and eligibility requirements More Information | | Questionnaire on Food Choices After Cancer Diagnosis Have you been diagnosed with lung, breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer within the past 12 months? If so, you are invited to participate in a research study to share if and how cancer has affected your food choices. Take the Survey For more information, please contact the study team at fdchoice@ualberta.ca or call 780-492-7820. | | Thank You to BC Cancer Foundation! | The BC Cancer Foundation is the fundraising partner of BC Cancer. Together with their donors, they are changing the outcome for people affected by cancer in B.C. and beyond by connecting personalized care, innovative research and opportunities to give back. Thank you to the Foundation for making the Vancouver Supportive Care Centre possible! Check out the BC Cancer Foundation website to learn more about what they do and how to get involved. | | | | | |
