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 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 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.-7:30 p.m. in the banquet room, located on the 10th floor of Tower II. 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:

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

For more information, call (904) 854-7100

LaMaze Classes, a weekly class offered alternating Thursday 6 p.m-8 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon on the Shands Jacksonville campus, Tower II Coleman Conference 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) 688-0886.

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 p.m. 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, 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 I, 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 II, 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 II, 10th floor, Coleman Room. A free lunch is provided. For more information, call (904) 244-9971.

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