Support Groups and Classes

The following classes and support groups are open to patients, caregivers and the community:

Cancer Support

Breast Cancer Support Group, a quarterly support group where you can meet other survivors and share personal experiences in dealing with breast cancer. Meetings will be held quarterly beginning Febuary 17 at 6 p.m. at the UF Proton Therapy Institute 2nd Floor, 2015 N. Jefferson St., Jacksonvile, FL 32209. Please RSVP by calling Tamara Sorrye at (904) 244-1684 or Connie Long at (904) 244-1683. Refreshments will be served.

Man to Man, a prostate cancer education and support program designed to help men make informed decisions throughout their cancer journey. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Ash Conference Room at the Learning Resourse Center (LRC) building. For more information, please call (904) 244-7405.

Childbirth and Parenting

Boot Camp for New Dads, a monthly parenting workshop for dads. The workshop is offered the second Saturday of each month on the 3rd floor of the main hospital. For more information, call (904) 244-4843.

Childbirth Education, a monthly class offered through the Healthy Mothers-Healthy Babies Program. Classes cover topics on childbirth, labor and delivery and breast feeding. Classes are offered on the Shands Jacksonville campus, Learning Resource Center, in the Birch-Cherry Room on the following days and times:

• Each Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Thursdays (every other month) from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Saturdays (every other month) from 9 a.m. - noon

For more information, call (904) 279-0875 ext. 915.

LaMaze Classes, a weekly class offered every Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon on the Shands Jacksonville campus, Learning Resource Center, in the Birch-Cherry Room. For more information, call (904) 854-7100.

Parenting Series, a five week session offered through the Healthy Mothers-Healthy Babies Program, meets Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m., on the 3rd floor of the main hospital, in the Labor/Delivery Waiting Room. For more information, call (904) 854-7100.

Neurology Support

The ALS Association Florida Chapter offers monthly educational and support group meetings for persons with ALS and family members. Group meets the first Saturday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Mandarin Library, 12125 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223. Contact Judie Benwick for more information at (904) 688-0086.

Caregivers Support Group, a monthly support group for family members and caregivers of neurology patients, meets the second Tuesday of each month from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower One, tenth floor, Executive Dining Room. A free lunch is provided. For more information, call (904) 244-9857.

Epilepsy Support Group, a monthly support group for seizure/epilepsy patients, caregivers and the community. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month - January through October - from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower One, 2nd floor, Mason Room. For more information, call (904) 244-9970.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Groups are available to multiple sclerosis patients and their families. A number of different support groups are available including: M*STAR (Multiple Sclerosis Team Approach Rule) for all patients, MS*TOPS (Teen and twenty Outreach and Parental Support) for teens with MS and their parents, and MS*YPD (Young Professional Development) for young professionals with MS. For dates, times, and location, please call (904) 244-9482.

Myasthenia Gravis Support Group, a monthly support group for Myasthenia Gravis patients and their families, meets on Saturdays (every other month), from 1- 3 p.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus in the Learning Resource Center building, Birch-Cherry Room. For more information, call (904) 244-9922.

Parkinson Support Group, meets on the second Wednesday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (holiday schedules may vary), on the Shands Jacksonville campus, in Tower One, 2nd floor, Mason Room. For information, please call (904) 244-9719.

• Tai Chi classes for patients and their caregivers with neurology conditions such as Parkinson's, stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and neuropathy are offered every Wednesday from 10 - 11 a.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus. For class location and additional information, please call (904) 244-9719.

• Yoga classes for patients and their caregivers with neurology conditions such as Parkinson's, stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and neuropathy are offered every Tuesday from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus. For class location and additional information, please call (904) 244-9719.

Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group, meets on the second Saturday of each month, from 10 - 11:30 a.m., at Brooks Family YMCA, 10423 Centurion Parkway North, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (take elevator to 2nd Floor). For more information, please call (904) 244-9719.

Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, a monthly support group, meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower Two, 1st floor, Blue Room. For more information, call (904) 244-4427.

Stroke Busters, a monthly support group for stroke and heart surgery patients and their families, meets on the third Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. - noon, excluding November and December, on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower Two, 10th floor, Coleman Room. A free lunch is provided. For more information, call (904) 244-9971.

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