Spotlight: The Cancer Support Group That Meets Monthly at Alomere Health A cancer diagnosis is one of the most disorienting experiences a person can face. The fear, the questions, the side effects-and the sense that nobody around you truly understands what you're going through. Jo Petersen knows that feeling. So does Carl Shaskey-Setright. And it's exactly why they want more people in the Alexandria area to know about the Cancer Support Group that meets every month at Alomere Health. Jo was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007. She was encouraged to seek a support group at that time, but there wasn't one available locally. After retiring in 2019, she finally felt it was the right time to start one herself. With logistical support from Alomere's Ann Rivas Vatnsdal, the support group started out with five friends and survivors. Today there are roughly 60 people on an invite list. Meetings draw anywhere from 7 to 13 in person, and others can attend virtually via Teams. The group welcomes anyone impacted by cancer-patients at any stage of diagnosis or treatment, survivors, and caregivers. What to Expect Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month, 4-5:30 PM, in the lobby meeting room at Alomere Health. No RSVP is required. You can come when you're able, leave early if you need to, and share as much or as little as you want. Each meeting starts with introductions. From there, it's open discussion-people share what's on their minds, ask questions, share information on the latest advancements in care, and support each other. Past guests have included physical, occupational, music, and massage therapists, acupunc- ture practitioners, meditation and yoga instructors, palliative care specialists, and mental health professionals. "The group is very casual, very informal," Jo says. "Non-threat- ening, and non-judgmental." Carl Shaskey-Setright has attended the group regularly as a patient. He has a rare form of soft tissue cancer, and received chemotherapy at Alomere's Cancer Center. He is now in hospice care. He still shows up. For Carl, the group fills some- thing that family and friends- as loving as they are-can't quite provide. "Here you are supported-but you can help other people too," says Carl, "and not even know it." Why It Matters Jo's core message is simple: you are not alone. She sends that reminder to group mem- bers before every meeting. "The mental health aspect of it is so important," she says. "It's as important as the physical part." Connections made inside the group have extended well beyond it. Members with the same diagnosis have found each other and built friendships outside of meetings. Caregivers who attend say it helps them understand what their loved ones are experiencing-and process the stress they are carrying themselves. If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, the group is there for you. Come when you can. Stay as long as you need. You don't have to go through this alone. To learn more about Alomere Health's Cancer Center, visit alomerehealth.com. Below: Jo Petersen, nurse Holly Carlson, social worker Ann Rivas Vatnsdal, and Carl Shaskey-Setright. B ALOMERE CANCER CENTER You are not alone. Spotlight : The Cancer Support Group That Meets Monthly at Alomere Health A cancer diagnosis is one of the most disorienting experiences a person can face . The fear , the questions , the side effects - and the sense that nobody around you truly understands what you're going through . Jo Petersen knows that feeling . So does Carl Shaskey - Setright . And it's exactly why they want more people in the Alexandria area to know about the Cancer Support Group that meets every month at Alomere Health . Jo was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007. She was encouraged to seek a support group at that time , but there wasn't one available locally . After retiring in 2019 , she finally felt it was the right time to start one herself . With logistical support from Alomere's Ann Rivas Vatnsdal , the support group started out with five friends and survivors . Today there are roughly 60 people on an invite list . Meetings draw anywhere from 7 to 13 in person , and others can attend virtually via Teams . The group welcomes anyone impacted by cancer - patients at any stage of diagnosis or treatment , survivors , and caregivers . What to Expect Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month , 4-5 : 30 PM , in the lobby meeting room at Alomere Health . No RSVP is required . You can come when you're able , leave early if you need to , and share as much or as little as you want . Each meeting starts with introductions . From there , it's open discussion - people share what's on their minds , ask questions , share information on the latest advancements in care , and support each other . Past guests have included physical , occupational , music , and massage therapists , acupunc- ture practitioners , meditation and yoga instructors , palliative care specialists , and mental health professionals . " The group is very casual , very informal , " Jo says . " Non - threat- ening , and non - judgmental . " Carl Shaskey - Setright has attended the group regularly as a patient . He has a rare form of soft tissue cancer , and received chemotherapy at Alomere's Cancer Center . He is now in hospice care . He still shows up . For Carl , the group fills some- thing that family and friends- as loving as they are - can't quite provide . " Here you are supported - but you can help other people too , " says Carl , " and not even know it . " Why It Matters Jo's core message is simple : you are not alone . She sends that reminder to group mem- bers before every meeting . " The mental health aspect of it is so important , " she says . " It's as important as the physical part . " Connections made inside the group have extended well beyond it . Members with the same diagnosis have found each other and built friendships outside of meetings . Caregivers who attend say it helps them understand what their loved ones are experiencing - and process the stress they are carrying themselves . If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer , the group is there for you . Come when you can . Stay as long as you need . You don't have to go through this alone . To learn more about Alomere Health's Cancer Center , visit alomerehealth.com . Below : Jo Petersen , nurse Holly Carlson , social worker Ann Rivas Vatnsdal , and Carl Shaskey - Setright . B ALOMERE CANCER CENTER You are not alone .