Support Series / Staying Connected

Gynecologic cancer patients, survivors, friends and family are invited to join us for our virtual support programs facilitated by our Patient Support team.

Staying Connected launched in the early, isolated days of the pandemic, in order to provide those diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer with a place to meet others, feel supported, and gain a sense of community. An initial weekly Zoom meeting facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker evolved into a comprehensive nationwide program of weekly and monthly online gatherings, offering invaluable connection and support. Registration is required.

Weekly Sessions — scroll down for group descriptions, and to register

Monthly Sessions — scroll down for group descriptions, and to register

Special Sessions — scroll down for group descriptions, and to register

Weekly Sessions

smiling woman leaning head on man's shoulder

Living Well After Recurrence: Mondays at 1PM ET

Join us for a weekly psychoeducational support session, facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, for those diagnosed with a recurrence of a gynecologic cancer who want to connect with others about navigating options, integrative therapies, quality of life, and strategies for living well after recurrence.

March 25 – Register

April 1 – Register

April 8 – Register

April 15 – Register

Endometrial and Uterine Cancer: Mondays at 3PM ET

Join us for a weekly psychoeducational support session, facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, for those diagnosed with endometrial and uterine cancer who want to connect with others with their diagnosis.

March 25 – Register

April 1 – Register

April 8 – Register

April 15 – Register

doctor in office

New Diagnosis: Tuesdays at 1PM ET

Join our weekly psychoeducational support session facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, for those newly diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, or those who have completed front-line therapy. Discussions focus on navigating diagnosis and treatment, coping with treatment symptoms, completing therapy, and finding a new normal.

March 19 – Register

March 26 – Register

April 2 – Register

April 9 – Register

Loved Ones: Wednesdays at 3PM ET

Support for partners, spouses, parents, adult children, and friends.

March 20 – Register

March 27 – Register

April 3 – Register

April 10 – Register

woman in head wrap, smiling

Evolving Hope: Fridays at 1PM ET

This weekly psychoeducational support session, facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, is for those diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, and focuses on themes that include goals of care, advance care planning, legacy-making, and dying well.

March 22 – Register

Please note: Evolving Hope will not meet on March 29 due to the Easter holiday. Group will resume on April 5.

April 5 – Register

April 12 – Register

Monthly Sessions

women hugging

Young Adults

Meet other young adult survivors to discuss care and share support. This group will be held on select Tuesdays monthly at 7 PM ET.

April 9 – Register

Monthly Express Yourself Series

Each month OCRA hosts an Expressive Arts session that will provide an opportunity to create, explore, and share. Meetings are 90- minute sessions via Zoom, facilitated by two Oncology Social Workers – Tracy and Nancy. Each month’s session will include a themed therapeutic activity combined with discussion.

We send links upon registration and resend links the day of the event. Please call us at (212) 268-1002 if you have not received the link in advance of the session. 

Please note: the registration deadline for any US participants is one week prior to the date of the session. The deadline for any international participants is two weeks prior to the date of the session.

OCRA’s Express Yourself series is generously sponsored by AstraZeneca, GSK, Merck, and GRAIL.

Registration is now closed for our March Express Yourself! sessions. Stay tuned for more information coming soon about April’s Express Yourself!

Book Club

Please join us for a monthly facilitated Book Club to provide a space to reflect and connect around a shared reading. Sessions will be 90 minutes and are open to individuals who have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Each month’s book selection will be mailed to registered participants in advance of the session. Participants should come to Book Club having read the selected book and ready to share thoughts and reflect on the book’s themes.

Please note: in order for participants to receive the selected book in the mail prior to the session, the deadline for any US participants is one week prior to the date of the session. The deadline for international participants is two weeks prior to the date of the session. 

several books in a rainbow of colors, fanned out in a circle design

April 23, 3 pm ET: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Join us on Tuesday, April 23 from 3-4:30 pm ET for our April book club session. We will be discussing the book Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. Please come to the session having read the book and prepared to discuss. The deadline to register for US participants is Tuesday, April 16; for international participants, the deadline is Tuesday, April 9.

Click here to register!

Special Sessions

Identity After Cancer: Who Am I Now? Mondays at 7PM ET

We are hosting a special 8-week series focusing on different aspects of identity. Each week will have its own topic focusing on specific components of life, with an overarching theme of redefining oneself after diagnosis. Participants will share experiences about the various changes and challenges that occur after a cancer diagnosis. You may choose to attend any or all eight sessions. Registration is required for each week. The series will run weekly on Mondays at 7 PM ET, starting on March 4 and ending April 22, 2024.

March 18: Impact of Age at Diagnosis

Diagnosis when you are in college, starting a new career, exploring dating, have been partnered for decades, or any of life’s important phases define how one may respond to a cancer diagnosis and may impact how you identify moving forward. We welcome people of all ages to join this session to share their experiences.

Register here

March 25: Gender and Sexuality

Diagnosis with gynecologic cancer can impact your acceptance of your body and sexual self.  Gender identity and expression, particularly due to the population’s predominantly female make-up, will be discussed. We invite you to share your experiences with your gender and sexuality as they relate to your cancer journey.

Register here

April 1: Fertility

Fertility is an important aspect of one’s identity. With loss of fertility comes a change in life and family planning. This session will be a safe place for those whose gynecologic cancer diagnosis has spurred a change in fertility to freely discuss their experience. 

Register here

April 8: Parenthood and Caregiver Responsibilities

This session will explore how one cares for others when they may be in need of support and care themselves.

Register here

April 15: Career and Education

Whether you are a full-time student or working a full-time job, your career becomes a part of your identity. For some, diagnosis can change the direction of your future. This could mean leaving a job, taking a break from school, or working through treatments. This session will be an open conversation about these career changes and the resulting impact on sense of self and purpose.

Register here

April 22: Rediscovering Self

This session will provide an opportunity to share who you are and who you want to be. We invite you to discuss the evolution of oneself in life and after cancer. 

Register here

Giving Voice to Grief: Bereavement Program, Wednesdays at 7PM ET

Closed 12-week program starting Wednesday, March 27, through June 12 7-8 pm ET

Please join us for a one-time opportunity to participate in 12 weekly sessions on Wednesdays at 7 pm ET dealing with issues facing caregivers and other family members who have lost a loved one to cancer. This program will focus on understanding the grieving process, coping with the reality of grief, learning to adjust to life after loss, and finding ways to continue to honor and live with and without your loved one.  The group will provide a supportive environment for individuals to connect with others while learning to process and manage their loss. This program will be facilitated by an oncology social worker with whom you will be required to complete a pre-and post- 12 week 1:1 session meeting.  Space is limited so please register no later than March 20 at 5 pm ET.

Click here to register! You only need to register once.

Community Agreements

Community Agreements have been developed to protect the sanctity and privacy of these groups:

  • Please register in advance for each session*
  • Please plan on attending the group from the start through the entire program (once group has begun no further members will be able to join)
  • Please attend the group in a private and quiet setting, and plan to remain on video for the duration of the meeting
  • Please protect members’ confidentiality
  • Please respect all members and offer feedback without judgement or negativity

*We recommend you register at least 24 hours in advance, but no later than 15 minutes in advance of the session. Your meeting link will be provided upon registration. If you have not received your meeting link by the morning of the session, please contact ehynes@ocrahope.org during business hours for assistance.

Support Group calls are held via Zoom Pro.

View more information about Zoom’s security measures.

Staying Connected is generously sponsored by: