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At
the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial
University Medical Center, we understand that healing is about more than just medicine. It's about achieving physical,
emotional, and spiritual well-being. We're proud to offer an array of support services to help you heal. You can search for the dates of upcoming meetings or programs on our classes and events page.
Caregiver support services recognize the needs of family members and loved ones who are caring for a person with cancer. Each month, we partner with the Steward Center for Palliative Care to provide programs that nurture caregivers, enable them to share resources, and offer emotional support. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
FORCE stands for Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered. This support and advocacy program is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The Savannah network of FORCE provides support, education, and advocacy for people who carry mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. For more information, visit facingourrisk.org or contact Shai Huffard-King at shai@facingourrisk.org.
Gynecological Cancers Support Group is for gynecological cancer survivors and their loved ones. They share their experiences with cervical, ovarian, uterine, and endometrial cancer. The group meets once per quarter on the third Wednesday of the month. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
Head and Neck Cancer Support Group is a family support group for people with cancers of the head and
neck and their caregivers. Each meeting includes a discussion with
cancer treatment experts, followed by a group discussion. The group
meets once per quarter on the third Wednesday of the month. For
more information, call 912-350-7845.
Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma
Support Group is for individuals who have leukemia, lymphoma,
or multiple myeloma and their loved ones. The group meets at the Summit
Cancer Care office in the Anderson Cancer Institute the second Thursday of the month from 5 p.m.
to 6 p.m. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
 Pancreatic Cancer Support Group is for
people who have pancreatic cancer and their loved ones. The
group meets once a month to discuss concerns specific to pancreatic
cancer. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
Young Survival Coalition is for young adults with breast cancer. The meetings are open to breast cancer patients and their caregivers in the greater Savannah, Hilton Head, and coastal Georgia area. The meetings often feature an expert presentation followed by an open, informal discussion. For more information, call 912-897-3933.
Join us once a quarter for educational
programs that focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being
of people with cancer. Topics include coping with chemotherapy,
bone health, lymphedema, and nutrition. For information on the next
program, call 912-350-7845.
 Art therapy includes journaling, decorating memory boxes, designing scarves, and various other therapeutic art projects. The program is offered through a partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and the Healing and Education through Art initiative. Activities are offered at the patient bedside or in group settings. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
 Harvest
of Hope Retreat is a free annual event that brings together cancer
survivors of all ages and their families for a weekend of relaxation
and rejuvenation. The retreat includes educational programs, massages,
art therapy, music, and time to connect with others who
have cancer. The retreat takes place each October at the beautiful
New Ebenezer retreat facility in Rincon, Georgia. For more information
on attending or volunteering at the retreat, call 912-350-7845.
Look Good, Feel Better is a program that
teaches women how to overcome skin changes and hair loss due to
cancer treatment. Licensed cosmetologists provide free makeovers, beauty tips, wigs, and turbans. This program is
co-hosted by the American Cancer Society, the Cosmetic, Toiletry,
and Fragrance Association, and the National Cosmetology Association.
For more information, call 912-350-7845.
 Massage therapy is offered twice a week for people receiving inpatient and/or outpatient cancer care. A licensed massage therapist provides gentle touch treatment to promote wellness and relaxation. Massage therapy is also offered regularly at FitnessOne at Memorial Health for an additional charge. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
 Music therapy is offered several times a week. We provide live musical performances at the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute. Patients and their families enjoy uplifting chamber music or solo performances from local musicians and students. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
Nutritional counseling is offered by a licensed dietitian specially certified in the nutritional needs of people receiving cancer treatment. Counseling is available Monday through Friday to help people eat well and fight the side effects of treatment. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
Pain management and palliative care services are offered to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life during treatment. We offer inpatient and outpatient assessments  for issues such as pain, nausea, fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and other treatment-related side effects. The services are offered through a partnership with the Steward Center for Palliative Care. Interventional pain management services are also available. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
Pet therapy is provided by certified pet therapy dogs that visit our facility twice a month. They offer plenty of hugs, kisses, and unconditional love for people with cancer and their families. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
 Reflexology provides stress relief and relaxation. It involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, ears, or face that correspond to organs or systems within the body. Reflexology aids in stress relief and promotes overall relaxation and well-being. This service is offered through our outpatient treatment area and FitnessOne at Memorial Health. There is an additional charge for this service. For more information, call 912-350-7845.
Strength for Survivors is a program that enables cancer survivors to meet with a personal trainer who guides them through the recovery and healing process. The program includes massage, yoga, Pilates, strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, and stretching exercises. Learn more.
 Yoga classes are offered free of charge for cancer survivors and people receiving cancer treatment. Classes are held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and every Thursday at 12:10 p.m. in FitnessOne on the third floor of the Center for Advanced Medicine at Memorial Health. The classes are aimed at meeting the needs of people with cancer, including expanding flexibility and balance and providing relaxation. The instructor received specialized training at OM Yoga Center in New York.
This team consists of oncology professionals from the fields of nursing, clinical nutrition, and case management.
Together, they develop new programs to further support the needs
of people with cancer and their families. The support team is responsible
for planning all patient activities and programs for caregivers.
If you have any questions or suggestions for the team, please call
912-350-7845.
Oncology social workers are an integral
part of the cancer care team. They help patients
and families cope with the disease process. Social workers also
help by arranging services such as home nursing care
or home medical equipment, and by helping patients contact outside
agencies for financial assistance when necessary. Throughout the
treatment process, social workers are ready to assist with issues
involving health insurance, transportation, and expenses associated
with medications or household utility bills. Call 912-350-3109 for
more information.
Representatives from our patient and family centered care program are
available to assist you whenever necessary. They serve as a liaison between patients
and the hospital to ensure that patients are receiving the best
possible care. To reach patient and family centered care, call 912-350-8581,
or write to:
Patient and Family Centered Care
Memorial University Medical Center
P.O. Box 23089
Savannah, Georgia 31403-3089
(Offered by The Children's Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center)
 Pediatric
Oncology Patient and Parent Support (POPPS) provides education,
emotional support, and interaction for young people with cancer
and their families. Monthly activities include recreational outings,
psychoeducational topics for caregivers, and support activities
for caregivers. The group meets on the third Monday of the month.
For more information, call 912-350-5616.
Relief Parent Support Group is for parents
who have a seriously ill child receiving inpatient or outpatient
treatment. Social workers facilitate the group meeting and a child
life specialist provides arts and crafts activities. The meetings
serve as a distraction and break, and provide a safe place for parents
to interact and support each other. For more information or to reserve
your space, call 912-350-5616.
The cancer resource rooms are located in the lobby of the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University Medical Center and
are open to the community. The resource rooms includes educational
materials about cancer treatment, side effects, complementary therapies,
and emotional health. The rooms are equipped with Internet access
for further research.
Spiritual and religious services are provided by Memorial's Department of Spiritual and Religious
Care. This department provides ministry, literature, and worship
services in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Chaplains
are available to talk with families about their cancer experience
and offer prayer and spiritual counseling to those in need. To speak
with a chaplain, call 912-350-8335.
This phone line is for cancer patients
who are having difficulty coping with their diagnosis, treatment,
or other aspects of their illness. An oncology social worker is
available to answer questions and provide support. Call 912-350-7845
for assistance.
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