Support Groups | Nutrition Care Services | Hospitality Inn | Pastoral Care
American Cancer Society Services | Van Service | Medical Benefits Counseling
Cancer Registry

Breast Cancer Support Group

This self-help/education group is designed for women who have breast cancer. The women discuss treatment options, emotions, self-esteem, concerns and triumphs. Participants may share stresses and anxieties about living with breast cancer with other women who are experiencing similar feelings. June Kilgus-Zimmerman, oncology social worker, facilitates this monthly group.

Where: Cancer Center Waiting Room

Please call 570-326-8203 or 1-800-598-4282 for more information.

Prostate Cancer Support Group

This self-help/education group is for men who have prostate cancer and their spouses, partners or family members. A medical presentation with questions and answers is held the first 30 minutes. Separate support groups for the men and their supportive members or friends are held immediately following. The group explores ways to deal with prostate cancer and the possible effects of treatment. Physicians and psychologists are present for this program.

Where: Divine Providence Hospital, 5th floor conference room

Please call 570-326-8203 or 1-800-598-4282 for more information.

Look Good, Feel Better Program

This is a monthly American Cancer Society program that is designed to help woman recovering from cancer cope with changes in their appearance that may have resulted from chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. This program is presented by area cosmetologists and hair stylists who are members of the National Cosmetology Association. They also provide free, private consultations, if requested. Participants receive a complimentary cosmetic kit. Register for Look Good, Feel Better by calling the number provided below.

Where: Divine Providence Hospital Cancer Center

Please call 570-326-8203 or 1-800-598-4282 for more information.

Bereavement Support Group

This monthly support group is for anyone who has lost a loved one. Whether the loss was recent or happened years ago, anyone who is grieving is invited to attend. Focus is on the recovery process and participants can share stories with and gain strength from other group participants.

Where: Muncy Valley Hospital, Skilled Nursing Unit, Park View Room. For times and dates contact Sister Sharon at 570-546-8282 or check out our online Healthy Living Guide.

The Hospitality Lounge, 802 Campbell Street. For times and dates call 570-320-7690 or check out our online Healthy Living Guide.

Our oncologists also work with Susquehanna Health System's Nutrition Care Services to provide individualized nutritional programs especially designed for cancer patients. And since as many as 50 percent of all cancer patients today use some form of non-conventional treatment in conjunction with traditional care, our oncologists are knowledgeable about these complementary therapies and can discuss them with you. Our registered dieticians consult with every patient who is at high risk for nutritional problems, or at your request.

Welcome to the Hospitality Inn! One unique and innovative way in which Susquehanna Health System helps patients and families in special need is by providing free overnight accommodations on the Divine Hospital and Williamsport Hospital campuses. Since their opening, the Hospitality Inn has been a warm, welcoming service to hundreds of people.

The Pastoral Care staff of Susquehanna Health recognizes that your stay in our Hospital may have moments of strain and worry. We understand that many of our patients and their families find solace in sharing their faith, letting it provide hope, comfort and peace

From the moment of diagnosis, a person with cancer may enter an unfamiliar world of tests, surgery, treatments and medications. The American Cancer Society can provide information services for all aspects of diagnosis, treatment, survival and support.

• Information and guidance from staff and volunteers.
• Transportation reimbursement for those who qualify.
• Reach to Recovery program for patients with breast cancer with trained volunteers and cancer survivors.
• Laryngectomy and Ostomy peer support network for those who have had surgery .
• Nutrition, Symptoms and Solutions information cards using an easy-to-read format. Individual cards offer quick tips on nutrition information and fatigue, nausea and more.
• Childhood Cancer Program for children dealing with cancer, survivors, parents and siblings of cancer patients.
• Cancer Medication short-term assistance program to help pay for prescription drugs when not covered by insurance.
• I Can Cope educational series open to cancer patients, families and friends.
• Look Good, Feel Better workshop with trained cosmetologists, helping women deal with effects of cancer to skin and hair.
• Cancer Survivor Conference covering various topics of concern by cancer patients and survivors.
• Cancer Survivor Celebration held annually at Relay for Life events.
• Camp Can Do for children ages 8-17 who have or have had cancer, held each August in Mt. Gretna, PA.
• Hope Lodge overnight facility for patients and families receiving treatment in the Hershey, PA area and other south-central PA treatment centers.
• CanSurmount visits by trained volunteers in the hospital or home to provide emotional support to patients and families.

For more information on American Cancer Society programs, call the national cancer center at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit their Web site at www.cancer.org.

The Susquehanna Cancer Center Van Service makes daily trips to Eastern Lycoming and Clinton Counties to help ease the strain of travel to and from cancer treatments. Our van service is available by pre-arrangement through the Cancer Center staff.

Cancer therapy can be very expensive and bills can pile up. Patients who are self-insured or under-insured can receive help, coordinated by Cancer Center Social Services. A medical case worker is on site every Wednesday from 8 A.M. to 12 P.M. to discuss individual eligibility for medical insurance assistance. Those interested in receiving financial aid should schedule an appointment early in the process. Call 570-326-8203 or 1-800-598-4282 for more information.

Cancer registry is a key component to Susquehanna Health System's cancer program. The cancer registry collects, maintains and manages health data pertaining to cancer patients who are diagnosed with cancer and/or who are treated for cancer at the Cancer Center.

Our registry utilizes the Electronic Registry System (ERS) for data submission. This system allows the registry to collect, analyze, monitor and assess all patients entering our facility with a malignant diagnosis. This data is submitted to the National Cancer Database and the PA Cancer Registry to compare our local experience of cancer incidence.

The confidential information maintained in the registry is used to assist physicians in monitoring and evaluating cancer treatments, education, research and follow-up.

Our registry is in complete compliance with the American College of Surgeons (ACoS), Commission on Cancer (COC) and the Pennsylvanina Cancer Registrays (PCR) requirements. Continuing education is imperatice to the registry program. Our registry staff are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Cancer Registrars (PACR) and the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).

Our registry's goal is to maintain the highest quality fo data collection, follow-up and statistics available.