HOPE support group to meet Tuesday

Centegra Health System will offer a breast cancer survivor support group for women. The HOPE (High On Positive Energy) Breast Cancer Survivor Group helps participants connect with other breast cancer survivors to share, learn and support one another during and after treatment.

HOPE meets the first Tuesday of every month. The next HOPE group session will be 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Centegra Gavers Breast Center, 360 N. Terra Cotta Road in Crystal Lake. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information about the group, call (815) 788-2288.

Peer support is one of the most effective approaches to increasing quality of life for cancer patients. Each monthly HOPE session features a specific "tool" designed to help with the physical and emotional changes associated with a breast cancer diagnosis and is facilitated by a breast cancer survivor, the breast health navigator and a health system chaplain, all of whom bring unique experiences to cover pertinent, educational topics. Every meeting ends with a reflection to calm the spirit.

For those diagnosed younger than the age of 45, Gavers offers a bimonthly support group meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. The next Young Ribbons meeting will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.

As the region's leading health care provider, Centegra Health System continues to bring the latest treatments and technology, along with the skills of 4,200 associates, to meet the needs of the growing communities. For more information about Centegra Health System, visit centegra.org, search Centegra Health System on Facebook and Twitter or call (877) CENTEGRA (236-8347).