Online and Offline Support Groups for the Mesothelioma Community
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) April 30, 2014 -- The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) has streamlined its online and over-the-phone support groups, to improve user experience and allow more participants to take advantage of this free-of-charge service.
Currently, the Meso Foundation offers online support groups through private Facebook groups for patients, caregivers, and those who have lost a loved one to this cancer. This method of participation is available 24/7 and is immediate. To ensure privacy and a safe environment, all participants are screened before they can be added into the groups.
Telephone support groups, available at regular intervals, offer a more traditional support model, through moderated calls that allow participants to listen and share as much as they’re comfortable. Participants in these groups are also screened prior to receiving the call-in phone number.
To join either the online or offline support groups, participants must contact the Meso Foundation’s nurse practitioner, Mary Hesdorffer.
Listed below is the Meso Foundation’s updated schedule for its over-the-phone groups.
The caregiver support group, Caregiver Conversations, hosted by Mary Hesdorffer, will meet the 2nd Saturday of every month at 11am EST.
Upcoming dates for Caregiver Conversations:
May 10th, June 14th, July 12th, and August 9th
The support group for all patients, Warrior Voices, hosted by Mary Hesdorffer, will meet the 3rd Saturday of every month at 11am EST.
Upcoming dates for Warrior Voices:
May 17th, June 21st , July 26th, and August 16th
The spousal loss support group, hosted by Miriam Ratner and Judith Hicks, will meet the 1st Tuesday of every month at 9pm EST.
Upcoming dates for the spousal loss support group:
May 6th, June 3rd, July 21st, and August 5th
An up-to-date schedule of telephone support groups can be found at http://www.curemeso.org/support.
Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the lining of the lung, abdomen, or heart known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Medical experts consider it one of the most aggressive and deadly of all cancers. An estimated one-third of those who develop mesothelioma were exposed while serving in the Navy or working in shipyards.
About the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
The Meso Foundation is the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma and easing the suffering caused by this cancer. The Meso Foundation actively seeks philanthropic support to fund peer-reviewed mesothelioma research; provide patient support services and education; and advocate Congress for increased federal funding for mesothelioma research. The Meso Foundation is the only non-government funder of peer reviewed scientific research to establish effective treatments for mesothelioma and, ultimately, a cure for this extremely aggressive cancer. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $8.7 million to research. More information is available at http://www.curemeso.org.
Maja Belamaric, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.duIWJfNQKiL8G/b.8598593/k.D685/Homepage.htm, +1 7038793822, [email protected]
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