Chicago support groups for cancer, kidney, and mastectomy patients — where the conversations are

Local · Support groups

By the Inspired Comforts editorial team · 3 minute read

The simple answer

Chicago has support groups for cancer, kidney disease, and post-mastectomy recovery — both hospital-affiliated and independent. The keys to finding one: hospital social workers’ referral lists, Cancer Support Community Chicago chapter, online directories. Below: how to find the right group for your situation.

Where to start

Your hospital’s oncology / kidney / surgical social worker has the most updated local list. Ask. Most major Chicago hospitals have multiple groups in-house. Independent groups (Cancer Support Community Chicago, Imerman Angels Chicago matches, condition-specific groups) supplement.

Online directories

Cancer Support Community — cancersupportcommunity.org
National Kidney Foundation — kidney.org
American Cancer Society — cancer.org
Imerman Angels — imermanangels.org

What to look for

Group with diagnosis matching yours.
Meeting time fitting your treatment schedule.
In-person + virtual options (post-pandemic many groups hybrid).
Trained facilitator (vs. peer-only).
Free or sliding-scale fees.

First meeting

You don’t have to share. You don’t have to commit. First meetings are listening; you decide if it’s a fit.

By the Inspired Comforts editorial team.

A note on what this is. This article is general information drawn from the sources cited above and from real-patient experience patterns. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for the guidance of your care team. Your situation is specific to you. Always discuss decisions about your treatment, medications, and care with your physician, surgeon, oncologist, nephrologist, OB, or relevant specialist. If you are experiencing symptoms that worry you, contact your medical team. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

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