Cancer Support

When you learn you have cancer, the last thing you want to be is alone. If you or someone you love would benefit from participating in one of our support groups, please call us at 401-456-2284.

Support Groups include:

Blood Cancer Support Group
A support group co-sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for people with Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma. Family members are welcome to attend. Meets the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Roger Williams North campus, 50 Maude Street, Providence, 2nd floor, family conference room. Please call 401-456-2284 to register.

US TOO Support Group
A support program for men with Prostate Cancer. Family members are welcome to attend. Meets the third Wednesday of every month (does not meet in August) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Kay B Auditorium.

Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group
A support group for BMT candidates, survivors, caregivers, & loved ones that provides a safe place to discuss questions, concerns, & experiences related to bone marrow & stem cell transplantation. Participants give and receive emotional support and begin to gain a better understanding of bone marrow transplantation and themselves. Meets the fourth Tuesday of every month on the Roger Williams Medical Center campus. Please call 401-456-2000 Ext: 3059 for more information.

Caregiver’s Support Group
A support group for individuals providing care to a loved-one with a cancer diagnosis.  The group is open to caregiver’s of individuals with ALL cancer types and in ANY stage of treatment.  Learn how to take care of yourself while caring for others.  This group is professionally facilitated by a Master’s level social worker.  Please call 401-456-2000 Ext.3059 for more information or to register for the next session.

Look Good Feel Better Program
Sessions scheduled based on demand, please call 401-456-2000 Ext.8880 for more information or to register for our next session.

If we can provide you with additional forms of support please do not hesitate to contact our Pastoral Care office at 401-456-2284 or our Oncology Social Worker at 401-456-2000 Ext.3059 and we will be happy to assist you further.

Clinical oncology social worker brings first-hand experience

When Todd Ellison talks to cancer patients and their loved ones, he can relate. A clinical oncology social worker at Roger Williams, Todd is not your average social worker. At the age of 25, while working as a floor supervisor at Foxwoods Casino, he was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and was told that he would need a bone marrow transplant to survive. A perfect match was located for him and in September 1997, Todd received his transplant. It was, he says, a life changing experience. “I wanted to do more than just earn a paycheck.” said Todd. “I became a volunteer with both the National marrow Donor Program and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.”

Todd also returned to school to become a social worker. As he was beginning his graduate courses, he was again diagnosed with cancer this time in his kidney. To treat the cancer, part of his kidney had to be removed. Todd eventually reached his goal of becoming an oncology social worker and today, he is responsible for psychosocial support to patients in the BMT, chemotherapy, and radiation oncology units. In 2004, Todd started the M.A.E. Foundation to assist lung cancer patients in honor of his mother.