Lung Cancer Support

There are so many reasons why someone would seek out support from a support group. When I was diagnosed with lung cancer at an early age, I knew that I wanted to speak to someone that was going through what I was about to at my age. I have learned over the years that there are not too many local support groups for young adult cancer patients. I have relied heavily on virtual groups, and it only got easier once we found ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic.

Finding support from others who understand

My first experience with a peer-to-peer support group was with an organization called Imerman Angels. My sister signed me up and I received a phone call asking what I was looking for in an “angel”. I honestly just wanted someone around my age to speak to. Not too much longer after that phone call, I was emailed by a 35-year-old who had been diagnosed years prior at the age of 30. She was doing well and it gave me so much hope!

I found support through the Lungevity Foundation. They have a program like what I just spoke about called LifeLine support and while I did not use this survive when I was diagnosed, I have signed up myself to be a mentor. I have participated in Lungevity sponsored events as well as Lungevity sponsored Facebook groups. When the pandemic first started Lungevity even sponsored virtual meet-ups that became very popular.

Another lung cancer foundation called Go2 Foundation also has a similar program where they will connect you with a phone buddy. You can also look for in-person support groups on the Go2 foundation website.

Other places for support

For young adult non-cancer-specific groups I have found support through the Dear Jack Foundation, Cactus Cancer Society (formerly Lacuna Loft), Elephants and Tea, Stupid Cancer, and Gryt Health.

I am currently participating in a virtual support group that meets every Tuesday for 10 weeks. I found this group through the Elephants and Tea organization. Along with myself, there are 3 other women, and we all have different cancers. Each week we are given prompts and then we submit 2 pictures each about the prompts. We meet for 1.5 hours and chat about the photos that we submitted. I have found this support group to be very helpful. We are all in different parts of our “cancer journey” but the conversation has flowed and we have been a great support for each other. I have also participated in an online support summit called Gabfest and that was a week of online chats hosted by Lacuna loft and Elephants and Tea.

Where do you find support?

Lung cancer can be a traumatic experience from hospital stays to the many many blood draws and pokes. Finding support during this experience can be so very helpful to your mental health. If you are having trouble connecting with your family and friends who do not have cancer please seek out those of us who have been through this.

If you have already found support, let me know what groups you have found helpful in the comments below.