For 35 years, Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara has stood alongside those in our community fighting cancer, as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Their mission is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities and breaking down barriers to care.
Cancer Support Community serves Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and the West San Fernando Valley, providing comprehensive, evidence‑based psychosocial support in English and Spanish. All services are FREE and include professionally led support groups in English, Spanish and Japanese, individual counseling, social events, wellness classes and educational workshops. Cancer Support Community offers over 20 different support groups each month. Some groups are cancer-specific, but also offered are “all cancers” groups, as well as support groups for caregivers, our bereaved participants, survivors, family members and young adults.
For women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of death among women. Cancer Support Community offers a variety of breast cancer support groups: Newly Diagnosed, Advanced Breast Cancer and Life After Breast Cancer (all stages).
“The Cancer Support Community helped me through a tough time, going through my initial diagnosis. The support group helped validate what I was feeling and it felt good talking to others who experienced something similar. It helped me to have others to talk through what the doctors said, since it can be so overwhelming,” shares a recent participant.
Joining a breast cancer support group offers a powerful source of emotional support, understanding and empowerment for those facing this diagnosis. Whether someone is newly diagnosed, in early or advanced stages or adjusting to life after breast cancer, all programs are offered at no cost. Through shared experiences and guided discussions, participants can reduce feelings of isolation, learn coping strategies and gain valuable insight into treatment options. Many also find renewed strength through active involvement in their recovery, stress‑reduction practices and access to community resources.
Cancer Support Community is an independently governed and funded nonprofit and affiliate of the Cancer Support Community based in Washington D.C. As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, they are supported by a global network of 175 Cancer Support Community locations, hospitals and clinic partnerships delivering more than $50 million in free cancer support, education and services for cancer patients and their families.
Whether a participant is impacted by breast cancer or any other cancer, all of the support groups, wellness classes, educational workshops and support services are available to our community of cancer survivors, caregivers and family members. Together, group members build resilience, hope and a sense of connection on their path toward healing.
“Cancer patients who participate in their fight for recovery, along with their healthcare team, will improve the quality of their lives and may enhance the possibility
of their recovery,” notes Harold H. Benjamin, PhD, founder of the Cancer Support Community, formerly known as The Wellness Community.
"The support group helped validate what I was feeling and it felt good talking to others who experienced something similar."