Support Groups

Cancer Support Groups

Hoag Family Cancer Institute support groups provide mutual support and information for cancer patients and their families. Groups are facilitated by licensed clinical social workers and oncology nurses. Discussion is focused on current issues faced by cancer patients and their support network. There is no charge for the following groups.

  • Bereavement Support Group
  • Bladder Cancer Support Group
  • Brain Tumor Support Group
  • Breast Cancer Support Group
  • Young Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group
  • Gastrointestinal Cancer Support Group
  • Gynecologic Cancer Support Group
  • Kidney Cancer Support Group
  • Lung Cancer Support Group
  • Lymphoma & Hematologic Cancer Support Group
  • Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group (virtual)
  • Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Support Group
  • Ostomy Support Group
  • Pancreatic Support Group
  • Prostate Cancer Support Group
  • Recurrent & Metastatic Support Group

In addition to support groups, Hoag offers free cancer education programs to support patients in their quest for knowledge. For more information, please call 949-722-6237.

Diabetes Support Groups

The Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center is hosting a virtual support groups for people with type 1, type 2 and diabetes during pregnancy (including gestational diabetes) to allow patients opportunities to share their diabetes challenges and successes with others like themselves in a comfortable setting.

Type 1 Diabetes Support Group – Join others living with type 1 diabetes to support, learn from, and encourage each other throughout the seasons of life. 

Herbert Program For Young Adults With T1D Group – If you’re living with T1D and are a young adult (ages 18-30s), we invite you to join our monthly social gathering that meets on the first Fridays of the month. We’ll hang out and talk about life, T1D, and life with T1D. Registration is required. To register, please email DiabetesCare@hoag.org.

Type 2 Diabetes Support Group – Join others living with T2D to receive support and encouragement from your peers. Whether you are still adjusting to your diagnosis or have been managing T2D for many years, you are invited to share your successes and talk through challenges with others who understand what it’s like to live with T2D. 

Pregnancy and Diabetes Support Group – Due to staffing changes, this support group has been temporarily suspended. Once available, we will provide information on when the group will resume.  Join other women experiencing pregnancy and T1D, T2D, and gestational diabetes (GDM) to support, learn from, and encourage each other through this season of life. Whether you’re in preconception counseling, pregnant or postpartum, we welcome you to connect with others who can relate to the ups and downs of managing diabetes while building your family. 

 

Digestive Health Support Groups

IBD Support Group – A support group for those with inflammatory bowel disease which provides mutual support and information for IBD patients and their families.

 

Heart and Vascular Support Groups

Heart Matters Support Group – Join our monthly support group for the cardiac patient, their partner, family members, or caregivers. Our Licensed Clinical Social Worker Stephanie Fermelia will discuss topics such as managing stress, depression and anxiety, handling anger, and coping with lifestyle changes and loss. This group meets on the second Thursday of every month. Please click here to register.

Aortic Dissection Survivor Support Group – This support group is intended for thoracic aortic dissection survivors, their families and support network. By sharing personal experiences, concerns, coping strategies and triumphs, survivors and their loved ones will know they are not alone in their journey. This support group is currently being held virtually and is facilitated by a licensed nurse practitioner and genetic counselor from the Elaine & Robert Matranga Aortic Center. Please register here to access the Zoom link for participation.

 

Neurosciences Support Groups

Brain Aneurysm / AVM – The stroke program at Hoag offers a support group to provide education and support for those diagnosed or treated for an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the brain.

  • Who should attend these meetings? Brain Aneurysm / AVM survivors, family members or caregivers, and those diagnosed but not yet ready for treatment.
  • This support group functions under the direction of a Stroke Certified Registered Nurse.
  • This support group will be held in-person at the Hoag Conference Center and virtually via Zoom on the second Wednesday of every other month from
    6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Instructions on how to access Zoom and meeting login details will be provided through email confirmation, once participants have completed the registration process.
  • Please email denise.ceja@hoag.org or call 949-764-1405 if you have any questions.

Brain Tumor – Held on the third Wednesday of each month from 3–5pm at the Advanced Technology Pavilion. This is both an educational and support group for anyone diagnosed with a primary brain tumor or metastatic disease. Family and friends are welcome to join us. For additional information or to register, please call 949-722-6237 or Register Online.

Insomnia – Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute offers a complementary Insomnia Support Group for patients dealing with Insomnia. Topics include: general insomnia information, sleep hygiene, relaxation and meditation tips.

The support group meets the first Thursday of every month from 6-7 p.m. at Hoag Health Center-Newport Beach in the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center, Classroom 2.
To register, call 800-514-HOAG (4624) or Register Online. For more information, contact Alana Sherrill, RPSGT, at the Voltmer Sleep Center 949-764-8070.

Parkinson’s Patients Support Group – Please join our Parkinson’s disease support group. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with Parkinson’s disease for many years, our support group aims to unite and strengthen. Our goal is to share knowledge, resources and wisdom. Facilitated by our dedicated Nurse Navigator, the group also benefits from education and clinical guidance. This group meets in person on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at 520 Superior Ave., Suite 205, in Newport Beach. Register by calling 949-764-6277 or online by clicking here.

Stroke – The Stroke support group is held on the fourth Thursday of every month from 2 – 3:30 p.m. at Hoag Conference Center. For more information, please call 949-764-1454.

 

Pulmonary Health Support Groups

Better Breathers Club – Better Breathers Club Meeting is a program of education and support sponsored by Hoag Hospital and supported by the American Lung Association. It’s designed for people with breathing problems and their families and is open to the public. No prior sign up is necessary. Currently all the meetings are held virtually. To receive these monthly live stream notifications, topic updates and a direct link to the live stream meetings, send your email address to Kerman.Rogers@Hoag.org

Lungs for Life Support Group – The right support can improve your quality of life and your outlook with a lung disorder. With Lungs for Life Support Group, we will exchange practical information, learn ways of coping as well as support and insight. Connecting with others who understand exactly what your facing can combat stress and isolation when dealing with lung issues. Gain empowerment and stay motivated to manage our conditions such as post covid (Long Haulers) COPD, emphysema, asthma, interstitial lung disease (ILD), Pulmonary Fibrosis, pre/post lung surgery and transplant and more…let’s talk!
Lungs for Life Support Group will be held the 4th Wednesday of the month from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm via a Zoom platform. If you would like to attend this monthly virtual support group send an email to Kerman.Rogers@Hoag.org

 

Sleep Apnea Health Awareness Groups

Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic (AWAKE) – AWAKE, a health awareness group network from the American Sleep Apnea Association, provides education about healthy sleeping, the latest products for Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, masks, accessories and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns they are having with their sleep and address any issues if they are using CPAP.

Held quarterly on the second Wednesday of the month from 6 – 7 p.m. at Hoag Health Center-Newport Beach in the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center, Classroom 2.

To register for the Sleep Apnea Awareness Group call 800-514-HOAG (4624). For more information, contact Alana Sherrill, RPSGT, at the Voltmer Sleep Center 949-764-8070.​

Bereavement Support Groups

The Bereavement Program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian provides support, education and guidance for people in our community throughout the grieving process. Through sharing similar experiences, group members will give and receive emotional support and have the opportunity to connect with others in the community.

General Bereavement Support Group – A general grief support group for participants over the age of 18, offering support to those who have lost a loved one. Registration is required. This group is offered free of charge to the community. For more information, please call 949-764-8585.

Oncology Bereavement Support Group – A grief support group for participants over the age of 18, supporting those who have lost a loved one to cancer. Registration is required. This group is offered free of charge to the community. For more information, please call 949-722-6237.

Grief Recovery Series – Join us for an 8 week series that provides a safe environment for you to look at your old beliefs about dealing with loss, which losses have affected your life and take actions that will lead you to complete unresolved emotions that may still be causing you pain. Evaluation by group leader is required prior to registration. This group has a small materials fee associated with registration. For more information, please call 949-722-6237.

 

Women’s Health Support Groups

Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Support Group – This virtual group provides support and information for “previvors”, women who have tested positive for a gene that increases their risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer. This group is facilitated by social workers and will be focused on the psychosocial and emotional well-being of genetic carriers. Registration is required. Register online. 

Prenatal Support Group – The Hoag Prenatal virtual support group is designed for pregnant moms looking to connect & build community during pregnancy. This group is a safe space to discuss & process high risk pregnancy complications such as placental anomaly, genetic disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnant with multiples, mental health disorders & concerns, and more. Whether you have been diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy or looking to connect with other women during your pregnancy journey, we invite you to join us for a session. Register online. 

Postpartum Support Group – The Hoag postpartum virtual support group is designed for moms to connect and gain support in postpartum. This group will cover topics such as the unexpected feelings and mental health concerns that can arise following birth. Whether you are a first-time mom, or mom of 5, this group will provide support and resources to help you on your maternal wellness journey. Register online. 

Pregnancy & Infant Loss – Hoag’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group is facilitated by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with many years of experience in working with families who have experienced a loss. The group is open to anyone who has suffered a loss, including those whose loss did not occur at Hoag. Extended family members are welcome to attend with you. Parents who have experienced a loss after a difficult decision are also welcome. To learn more, please call 949-764-6864.

Pregnancy After A Loss Support Group – This support group is for women and couples who lost a baby during pregnancy or infancy and are now pregnant. The group is facilitated by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who specializes in pregnancy after a loss. To learn more, please call 949-764-4540 or click here.

 

Mental Health Center Support Groups

​Women’s Support Group – The Women’s Support Group* will focus on empowering participants and improving quality of life by enhancing their self-awareness in psychological and psychosocial issues within the context of their gender roles. All groups will meet at 307 Placentia, Suite #100-B, Newport Beach, CA 92663. *This group is not continuously offered on an ongoing basis. Please contact the Mental Health Center for a current list of services and support groups at 949-764-6542.