Support Groups

"Aiken Cares" Alzheimer's Support Group

Intended for family members and caregivers working with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Facilitators: Robert Schwartz, Liz Neal
Dates: Second Tuesday of each month
Times: 11 a.m. – Noon
Location: Cumberland Village Library, 2nd floor
Registration: Not required

AA Meeting—Open Discussion

Designed for open discussion.
Dates: Every Sunday and Wednesday
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Location: Aurora Pavillion
Registration: Not required

Bariatric Support Group

Facilitator: Lauree Caldwell, RN, Bariatric Nurse Navigator
Dates:

• May 9
• June 13
• July 11
• August 8
• September 12

Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: ARMC Bariatric Services, 2nd Floor, Room 209
Registration: Required — Please call 803-641-5751 

Bereavement Grief Support for Adults—"The Lunch Bunch"

"The Lunch Bunch" is a group that meets in a supportive atmosphere with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one. You may bring a lunch, or you are welcome to purchase one in the hospital cafeteria. This program is sponsored by Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
Facilitator: Chaplain Cathy Cole
Dates: First Wednesday of each month
Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
Location: Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Cafeteria Dining Room A (1st Floor)
Registration: Required — Call Cathy Cole at 803-641-5389.

Cancer Support Group

If you've been diagnosed with cancer, or have an immediate family member who has, this group is for you! We address the emotional, educational and spiritual concerns of coping with cancer.
Facilitator: Chaplain Cathy Cole, available to answer any questions at 803-641-5389 or Carol Mondschein, Community outreach Coordinator, SRCF, 803-649-5433.
Dates: First Wednesday of each month

• May 16
• June 20
• July 18
• August 15
• September 19

Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
Location: First Baptist Church parlor
Registration: Not required

CSRA Dream Catchers

Trauma Brain Injury and Disability Support Group
The group's mission is to support and encourage people with disabilities to live as independently as possible. We provide peer and expert support/advocacy in an atmosphere constructive to those seeking assistance, information, education and prevention of head and spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.
Facilitator: Les Paul Morgan
Dates: First Monday of each month
Time: 6 – 7 p.m.
Location: Walton Options for Independent Living, 325 Georgia Ave.
Registration: Not required. Call 803-279-9611 or visit www.csradreamcatchers.com.

Diabetes Support Group

Join others with diabetes to discuss your experiences and to learn how diabetes can be managed.
Dates: Second Tuesday of each month.  No meetings in June, July or August.
Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Location:  O'Dell Weeks Center, Whiskey Road
Registration: Required — Call 803-293-0023.

Essential Tremors Support Group

Essential Tremors is a self-help group and support system led by, and for, people who have essential tremors and are willing to talk openly with each other and share helpful information. New members are always welcome, and privacy and confidentiality are respected. This group offers a combination of support and information. Participants are great collectors of articles, newspapers, books and other information about essential tremors. Family members are also encouraged to attend.
Instructor: Don Winslow
Dates: Third Monday of each month

• May 21

Time: 2 p.m.
Location: St. Paul's Lutheran church
Registration: Not required. Please call 803-226-0338 for information.

Look Good — Feel Better

Look Good — Feel Better is a free, national, public service program designed to help female cancer patients learn how to cope with the appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. We teach techniques to help restore self-esteem through the use of makeup, wigs, scarves and other accessories. The class is open to women actively undergoing cancer treatment or those who are about to start treatment. Each participant will receive a complimentary box of makeup and a wig of her choice! The Look Good — Feel Better program was developed in partnership with the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the National Cosmetology Association.
Dates: Third Monday of each month

• May 21
• June 8
• July 16
• August 20
• September 17

Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Cancer Care Institute of Carolina (111 Miracle Drive) at Aiken Regional
Registration: Required — Call 803-641-6044.

Mended Hearts

Mended Hearts is a volunteer organization comprised of people with heart disease, spouses and family members of people with heart disease, medical professionals and other interested individuals.
Dates: SecondFriday of each month

• May 18
• June 15
• July 13
• August 10
• September 14

Location: USC-Aiken Business Conference Center
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Registration:  Not required.  Please call 803-648-2381 for more information.

Pink Ribbonettes

Pink Ribbonettes is the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Self-Help Group for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as for their caregivers. Speakers often attend and discuss topics of interest to breast cancer patients and survivors. Come join us to meet new friends and hear stories of inspiration and hope.
Facilitators: Irene Howley, Diane Hadley
Dates:

• June 5
  
• No meetings in July or August

Location: Millbrook Baptist Church
Time: 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Registration: Required —Please call Irene at 803-649-9267 or Diane at 803-644-3902.

Skip to My Lupus

This organization's mission is to provide comprehensive support services that educate, empower, raise awareness and enhance the quality of life for people affected by lupus and other autoimmune disorders.
Facilitator: Tamara Rajah
Dates: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Dining Room A
Registration: Not required. Please call 803-251-9413 for more information.