Patient & Family Support
Support & Survivorship
Our patient’s fight against cancer is our fight against cancer. We know that treating cancer isn’t only about curing a disease—it’s about restoring a person. Cancer patients and families need help to heal all parts of their lives and the SIH Cancer Institute offers many opportunities you may want to take advantage of.
Spiritual care professionals from all backgrounds are available to talk with patients and their families about faith, ethics and advance directives.
A support group for family members and survivors of any type of cancer meets regularly.
Women With Hope
Women With Hope was founded in 2000 when a few young ladies ages 21–45 started meeting to offer support to each other and to discuss issues such as treatments, sexuality, intimacy, treatment options and financial barriers of breast cancer. Over the years, it has grown and merged with Southern Illinois Healthcare to better serve more families in southern Illinois.
Women With Hope meets the first Saturday of every month at 10:00 am at The Breast Center at University Mall in Carbondale. Patients, families and friends are welcome.
Cancer Patient Navigators
What is a patient navigator?
Being diagnosed with cancer can be very scary. A cancer patient navigator is there to meet patients at the beginning of their journey to provide support and guidance.
A patient navigator is available to help cancer patients to:
- Find and apply for financial sources to help pay for health care
- Keep track of paperwork and appointments when it all becomes too much
- Ease anxiety and fear
- Connect with support systems and services
- Arrive on time and be prepared for appointments
- Serve as a spokesperson between the patient and medical providers
- Understand medical language
Who needs a navigator? Everyone.
The Patient Navigator service is free. It can be used by anyone in southern Illinois looking for resources, especially cancer patients, their families and friends.
