When it comes to supporting a loved one with cancer or coping with your own cancer diagnosis, talking to people who know what you’re going through can make a positive difference. It’s a chance to get new perspectives, make connections and get the empathetic support that comes from shared experiences.
Below is a list of support groups for people with cancer – including patients, loved ones and caregivers – as well as educational resources.
Support groups for patients with cancer in Minnesota
4th Angel Mentoring Program
A virtual support service that matches patients and caregivers with mentors of similar age and cancer experience.
Angel Foundation
Based in Mendota Heights, the Angel Foundation curates opportunities for adults and families dealing with cancer to spend quality time together.
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
Rooms, resources and support for patients in active cancer treatment who live more than 40 miles from their treatment center. There are two lodges in Minnesota: one in Minneapolis and one in Rochester.
Elephants and Tea
A magazine by and for adolescents and young adults impacted by cancer, this organization also hosts happy hours, workshops, yoga sessions and other events.
Firefly Sisterhood
A support service matching women who have or have had breast cancer with a mentor who’s had a similar experience.
Gilda’s Club: Twin Cities
Free community-focused programs and groups for anyone affected by cancer – including patients, families, caregivers and friends. There are both virtual options and in-person options in Minneapolis.
International Myeloma Foundation
An organization working to inspire, inform and support patients with multiple myeloma, and their family and friends. Open to both newly diagnosed patients and long-time survivors. There are support groups for central Minnesota, Fairmont, Rochester, Stillwater and St. Louis Park.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Virtual community, peer-to-peer support and other resources for people with blood cancers and their families.
National Brain Tumor Society
This organization hosts an online support group attended and run by people who have personal experience with brain tumors. The group meets on the third Sunday of each month.
American Brain Tumor Association
ABTA offers a range of resources for people with brain tumors. This includes a phone line for information and resource referrals, one-on-one mentoring for patients and caregivers, and an online support community.
Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance
In addition to other support tools, MOCA hosts group meetings and events for people impacted by ovarian cancer to connect with each other.
SPOHNC
A group for oral, head and neck cancer patients and survivors. Family and friends are also welcome. Local chapters meet at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and Regions Hospital Cancer Clinic in St. Paul.
Stupid Cancer
Digital meetups, webinars and other social resources for adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Pathways: A Healing Center
Individual and group sessions of holistic therapies for people in life-threatening and life-changing health situations. Located on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis.
Support groups for spouses of patients with cancer
CancerCare
A free, 15-week virtual support group for spouses or partners of people with cancer.
Well Wives
An online support group for women whose spouses have cancer. One of a number of groups organized by the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Austin, Texas.
Cancer support groups for families and caregivers
A Breath of Hope
Virtual support groups for lung cancer survivors and caregivers.
Family Means
Virtual and in-person support groups for caregivers to get encouragement and support from people in similar positions. In-person groups meet in Stillwater.
Jack’s Caregiver Coalition
Community and programs for anyone who has cared for a loved one going through a serious health situation. Based out of Bloomington.
Educational resources for patients with cancer
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Information and resources for learning about cancer, cancer care, coping with cancer and more.
National Cancer Institute
Information on treatment, research and other topics for all types of cancer.
You and Lung Cancer
Learning modules, patient stories and other resources for people with lung cancer.
Find more resources and support groups
There’s a lot of help out there – educational, emotional and physical. In addition to the groups and programs listed above, you can visit the American Cancer Society website. Their search tool will match you with appropriate local and national resources.