Cancer support

Talking with other patients and families experiencing cancer can be helpful. We can connect you with support groups specific to your experience, whether that be a group focused on a particular type of cancer, bereavement or survivorship. You can also ask our staff about Spanish-speaking support groups.

As a result of our partnership, the innovative professionals at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Johnston-Willis Hospital have grown our program into a regional leader for clinical trial access. Through our ongoing efforts, we offer numerous trials with forward-thinking solutions for curing cancer and reducing the effects of treatment. Ask your doctor about qualifying for clinical trials and research.

Providing cancer education, support services and resource materials, the Hawthorne Cancer Center was established through a gift from previous cancer patients and philanthropists, Bill and Barbara Hawthorne, and The Hawthorne Cancer Foundation.

For information on programs held at The Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center, please call (804) 483-6048.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Look Good Feel Better is a complimentary program that helps women who experience appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Sessions are held at The Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center, as well as other Richmond facilities. At-home materials are also available for men experiencing cancer-related changes in their appearance.

For more information, or to register for sessions through the American Cancer Society, call (800) 227-2345.

Lymph node removal for cancer treatment can lead to lymphedema, the buildup of fluid that most commonly causes swelling in the arms and legs. We offer complete lymphedema services for both lower and upper extremity management, including:

• Compression garment fitting and training
• Education
• Evaluation
• Preoperative measurements and surveillance
• Support and follow-up care
• Treatment

For more information about our lymphedema program, call (804) 483-5182. Referrals can be faxed to (804) 483-5180.

Oncology nurse navigators are essential members of your integrated care team. These professionals guide you through each step of your care plan, serving as your advocates and educators from diagnosis through survivorship. With a nurse navigator, you and your family get the personal service you need and deserve.

Your oncology nurse navigator:

• Connects you to available resources
• Helps you understand your diagnosis, treatment options and medications
• Hosts multidisciplinary cancer conferences to ensure you receive a personalized treatment plan
• Improves communication within your healthcare team
• Provides education around treatment options and clinical trial availability

We offer preoperative classes to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after cancer surgery. Our goal is to ensure that you feel informed and comfortable about your upcoming treatment.

Nutrition can play an important role in your fight against cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed or are adjusting to life after cancer, our registered dietitian can help you find the foods that are right for you. Our dietitian has an office on site and is available for individual consultations, free of charge.

To contact our registered dietitian, please call (804) 483-6047.

At the Sarah Cannon Institute, we offer supportive counseling as part of our overall holistic cancer care. This counseling service is for individuals and families whose lives have been touched by cancer at any stage of the illness.

Life after a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, because along with symptoms, there are new medical decisions, treatments and appointments. Emotional ups and downs are almost always a part of cancer, but you don't have to go through them alone.

Our primary objective is to offer compassionate, supportive care to address the unique challenges and concerns associated with living with cancer. We'll help you learn new ways to cope, communicate and actively participate in your own care.

If you are on-site for treatment, our Survivors Reflection Garden is a calm space to take a moment to yourself. Located on the east side of our hospital campus, the garden is a tranquil and growing space for celebrating life and remembering loved ones whose struggle with cancer has come to an end.

Lined with cypress trees and filled with flowering plants and foliage, the garden provides a quiet, shaded area sprouting a variety of medicinal herbs that have influenced modern medicine and cancer treatment. The Survivors Reflection Garden is open to everyone and is available for events throughout the year.

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.

askSARAH helpline

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (804) 591-4152.