Free Cancer Support - The Wellness Community

frequently asked questions

Q: Who uses The Wellness Community?
A: Adults and children with cancer and their loved-ones who want to enhance the quality of their life and learn how to better meet the challenges of this illness. People come to learn more about their disease finding friendship, caring and hope in a supportive community with other cancer participants.

Q: What does it cost to participate?
A: Absolutely Nothing! The Wellness Community is a nonprofit organization, and does not charge for any of its services. It is supported by tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, service organizations and fundraising events. The Wellness Community is not financially supported by government funding or programs, insurance companies or The American Cancer Society (ACS).

Q: Are there other Wellness Communities?
A: The Wellness Community - South Bay Cities is part of a national organization, consisting of more than 24 Wellness Communities and 25 Gilda’s Clubs. Together, Gilda’s Club and The Wellness Community will become the largest community-based organization focused on advancing the recommendations of the IOM report. There are two IOM reports, for the patient or for the provider. The combined organization will be comprised worldwide of nearly 50 local affiliates, 12 affiliates in development and over 100 off-site and satellite locations. Both organizations will be formally integrating over the next few months, however, during this period, there will be no disruption of services at any Wellness Community or Gilda’s Club. As we continue to work towards integration, we are confident that this joint venture will help us reach our goal to serve 1 million people affected by cancer by 2012 and continue to empower individuals to take active roles during treatment and beyond.

All offer a uniform program following a national quality standard, which is considered to be the gold standard of psychosocial support. However, each Community is financially independent and operates as an independent 501(c) 3 with its own Board of Directors. Our national office is in Washington, D.C. Phone toll free (888) 793-WELL. Click here for a complete list of other Wellness Communities

Q: Is there research to support what you do?
A: All the programs at The Wellness Community derive from evidence-based psychosocial oncology and mind-body research which shows that how you think and feel can have an effect on the immune system. You can click here for a Power Point presentation of "Evidence-based Research" by Mitch Golant, National Vice President, for Research & Development.

Early reports from a Stanford study conducted by Dr. David Spiegel, involving women with advanced breast cancer, and a UCLA study of melanoma patients by Drs. Fawzy & Fawzy both suggest that members of support groups have an improved quality of life and a significantly better survival rate. http://pstlab.stanford.edu/main.html "Support groups can clearly improve the quality of life. We were able to show reduced mood disturbance. Patients were less phobic, had better coping responses and reduced pain. In a psychological sense, groups work," Dr. Spiegel in Lancet.

In October 2008, Barbara Anderson, PhD, and other researchers at The Ohio State University have published Psychologic Intervention Improves Survival for Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial with exciting results linking long-term survivorship to participation in group support. http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=621398

Q: Are medical services or advice available at The Wellness Community?
A: The Wellness Community does not have a medical staff, and we do not offer medical services, advice or referrals. However, we provide regular educational forums, workshops and lectures with cancer experts and other health care professionals. Individuals seek their own treatment, and learn about resources from networking with one another.

Q: Is The Wellness Community program an alternative to medical treatment?
A: No. The program is an adjunct to the treatment prescribed by a patient's healthcare team, and is not a substitute for medical care. No one is turned away from our services, whether they are receiving treatment or not.