Support Groups and Classes

Cancer Support

Breast Cancer Support Group, a monthly support group where you can meet other survivors and share personal experiences in dealing with breast cancer. Meetings will be held the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the UF Proton Therapy Institute, second 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 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Tower II, tenth floor, Banquet Room. For more information, please call (904) 244-7405.

Childbirth and Parenting

Boot Camp for New Dads is a nationally recognized dads/babies only workshop. It is offered every other month on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please call (904) 244-4843 for schedule or more information. Attendance is by registration only.

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, Tower II, tenth floor, Coleman Conference Room on the following days and times:

• Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays (every other month) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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) 688-0886.

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 to 2 p.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower I, 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 I, second 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 to 3 p.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower II, first floor, Blue Room. For more information, call (904) 244-9922.

Parkinson Support Group, meets on the second Wednesday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (holiday schedules may vary), on the Shands Jacksonville campus in the Towers. Signs will be posted at the entrance indicating which conference room and directions. 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 to 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 to 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 to 11:30 a.m. at the Shands Jacksonville Towers, 580 W. 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209. Signs will be posted at the entrance indicating which conference room and directions. 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 noon to 2 p.m. on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower II, first 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. to noon, excluding November and December, on the Shands Jacksonville campus in Tower II, tenth floor, Coleman Room. A free lunch is provided. For more information, call (904) 244-9971.

Smoking Cessation

Big Step is a is a four-week smoking cessation program open to the public. Topics include yoga and meditation as an aid to smoking cessation. The program starts on the first Wednesday of each month and continues through the following three Wednesdays. Meetings are held at 11 a.m. in the Shands Jacksonville ACC Building, fourth floor, UF Community Health Center. For more information, call (904) BIG-STEP (244-7837).

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