WIGWAM CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS

Our Yes to Life Wigwam Cancer Support Groups provide a safe and nurturing space for those with cancer or loved ones (Caregivers) supporting someone with cancer. 

Members come together, connect, and share what they are learning about their experience of cancer and the use of integrative medicine (the combining of conventional treatments with lifestyle and complementary therapies) lifestyle changes (mind, body & spirit) that support health and wellbeing and receive support and inspiration from others.People can talk openly about their successes as well as their challenges in a respectful, non-judgemental and confidential environment.

Much of the supportive literature around taking an integrative approach to cancer (some of which we cover in the Yes to Life Book Club) mentions the strong evidence for the impact social support and connection has on health outcomes. Chronic stress, often compounded by feelings of isolation, can weaken the body’s ability to combat cancer. Social support systems act as a buffer against these risks by providing emotional, informational, and practical support during treatment and recovery.

We know that our peer-to-peer Wigwam Cancer Support Groups are a powerful tool in holistic cancer care, providing emotional sustenance, practical resources, and a sense of community that can profoundly enhance the healing journey.

Our groups offer both practical and emotional support as you navigate an integrative approach to cancer or support someone on this path.  We mostly hear from our members that they differ from other groups as they are incredibly uplifting and empowering where members find hope even within the deepest of challenges.*

There are many benefits (mental, emotional and practical) from being a member joining one of our groups:.

• Connect with like-minded people
• Find a safe & nurturing space of non-judgement and acceptance, understanding and encouragement
• Know you’re not alone on the integrative path to your cancer journey or supporting someone on this path
• Talk openly and honestly about your experience and feelings
• Reduce overwhelm, stress & distress
• Gain a sense of empowerment, control and hope
• Feel inspired & motivated to keep taking your next steps
• Share resources & practical tips
• Increase self-understanding
• Benefit from positive emotions of supporting others

Our Wigwam Groups are peer-led support groups, where members provide support to each other rather than professionally led.  All of our Wigwam Group Facilitators are trained volunteers and have navigated an integrative approach to their own cancer diagnoses and we all adhere to our Wigwam Agreement 

Online – from the comfort of your home come and enjoy meeting proactive individuals who are integrating a change of lifestyle and complementary medicine into their navigation of, and recovery from cancer.

In-person – find a local group in your area or we can help you set up a group with on-going support.

Caregivers – our online group provides the opportunity for you to feel supported while you help your loved one.

Nobody has to be alone with cancer.

As some of our Wigwam Groups are full and we want to make sure that you get the support you are looking for, the way we typically work is to initially invite you to a drop-in ‘Wigwam Café’ online via Zoom.

Here you can have a chat with our Wigwam Support Group Co-ordinator, find out more about our Groups, how they work and ask any questions you may have. There are usually a few people within these sessions so that you have the opportunity to share a little more about yourself and the support you’re looking for.  This gives you a little idea of what it’s like to be in one of our Wigwam Support Groups and connect with others with a shared experience. People have found this Wigwam Café space relaxing, informal and easy to be in. Many find that this the first time that they have been able to talk about their experience authentically which can immediately relieve some overwhelm.

You can then decide if joining a Wigwam Group on a regular basis is for you and whether there is a Group that works with your schedule.

(*) NOTE: Wigwam Cancer Support Groups are not therapy and not about pushing any agendas, protocols, solutions or products.