Support groups

You're not alone

UW Health organizes or helps to facilitate a number of support groups to help our patients and their families and friends learn the best ways to meet their health challenges.
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Why join a support group?

Find support, understanding and encouragement

Support groups can provide support, understanding and encouragement, allowing you to talk with and listening to other patients and family members who are having similar life experiences due to challenging medical situations.

Please note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the following support groups are temporarily paused or have changed to a virtual format. Please check with the group contact for additional information.

Cancer support groups

Support group for people with a GI cancer diagnosis and their supporters. This includes cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, stomach, colon, rectum, anus, liver, biliary system and small intestine.

A safe place for anyone with a metastatic or advanced breast cancer diagnosis to share challenges, fears and successes while supporting each other.

Monthly gathering for those who have completed treatment, 2 weeks to 2 years ago. There will be discussions and presentations focusing on your survivorship and its challenges.

This group allows patients and their loved ones an opportunity to come together and exchange information, comfort each other and offer support.

  • Location: UW Health West Clinic, 451 Junction Road, Madison, conference room 1287

  • Meetings: 3rd Thursday of the month, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

  • Information: Contact Jayne Schwartz at schwartzdon@sbcglobal.net or (608) 244-2120


A support group for thyroid cancer survivors, family members and friends. We share information, experiences and coping strategies.

Other support groups

These sessions are a way for affected patients, families and friends to connect with others to help each other live their best lives. Open and honest discussions about recovery issues, roadblocks and solutions are the goal. Staff hosted by UnityPoint-Meriter and UW Health will be there to facilitate and answer questions, but the group belongs to the participants.

  • Location: Online via Webex

  • Meetings: First Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m.

  • Information: Please call Melanie McCauley at (608) 264-4698

This group provides an open forum for discussion on spinal cord injury, disease and paralysis topics including wheelchair activities and accessibility issues; provides mentoring and awareness; and offers adaptive and accessible events and activities for the individual and family.

For young onset Parkinson's patients 40 years and younger, their families and care support to gain information on Parkinson's disease through education and support from others.