Support Groups

We stand strong as a community. Our Support Groups are an opportunity to have real conversations with others who truly understand the reality of a rare cancer diagnosis.

A women wearing a pink shirt and denium jeans sits on the floor with a laptop in her lap.

Meeting other people on a similar path can help you feel better understood and less isolated and alone.

Each RCA Support Group is a safe, comfortable space for people to share their highs and lows, build connections with others – or simply just listen.

The confidential forums also provide an opportunity for people to:

  • share helpful information about treatments and trials
  • refer clinicians they would recommend to others
  • share advice on how they managed symptoms
  • cover any other topics on your mind.

How RCA Support Groups work

Our Specialist Cancer Navigators facilitate a range of support groups, specifically dedicated to different cancer experiences. Each has a private Facebook Group to share information and experiences in real time, any day of the week. Some also offer a monthly Microsoft Teams meeting as an additional way to engage with others.

Current support groups include:

  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) – for people living with ACC and their carer/s.
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) – for people living with GIST and their carer/s.
  • Medullary Thyroid (MTC) – for people living with MTC and their carer/s.
  • Sarcoma – for people living with Sarcoma and their carer/s.
  • Thymoma – for people living with Thymoma or Thymic Cancer, and their carer/s.
  • Gynaecological Cancers – for people living with a gynaecological cancer, such as cancer of the uterus, vulva, ovaries, cervix or fallopian tubes.
  • Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) – for people living with ECD and their carer/s.
  • Rare Cancer Carers – for anyone caring for someone with a rare cancer.
  • Rare Connect – for anyone impacted by a rare cancer.
  • Mummy’s Wish – for mums living with cancer who have young children.

Register to join a support group

 

Patient / Carer Details

For people to participate in the private group, we ask that everyone register with our organisation so we can protect the privacy of those sharing and disclosing personal information in the group. To join either Support Group, please provide the following information:
Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Is the person you are referring Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Address(Required)
Available Support Groups
Virtual Support Group, Facebook Support Group or Both?(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

 

 

Referrer Details

Name(Required)
Consent(Required)

Patient / Carer Details

For people to participate in the private group, we ask that everyone register with our organisation so we can protect the privacy of those sharing and disclosing personal information in the group. To join either Support Group, please provide the following information:
Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Is the person you are referring Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Address(Required)
Available Support Groups
Virtual Support Group, Facebook Support Group or Both?(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

 

About Microsoft Teams meetings

The day before each meeting, we will contact you to see if you can attend (you are under no obligation to attend every session!). Prior to the session, we will provide you with a link to the meeting (if you want to join via videoconferencing) and a conference ID (if you want to join via your phone).

No one should go through a cancer experience alone. We’ll do whatever it takes to help you find the right support options for your unique situation.

 

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