Survivor Journeys® One-To-One Mentoring 

  • Providing one-on-one support to Adult Cancer Survivors, and Adult Caregivers of Cancer Survivors
  • Have you had cancer or been a caregiver for a cancer patient? Interested in becoming a mentor? Or, are you a cancer patient or caregiver looking for the support of a mentor who has experienced your current situation?
  • Email survivorshipprogram@gmail.com or call 413-276-6100.

Any Cancer Support Group

  • When: Every second Wednesday of the month

  • Time: 6:00PM - 7:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Facilitators: Nancy Woodman (colon cancer survivor) & Amy Cooper, LCSW (a Medical Social Worker) 
  • NEW Any Cancer Support Group attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.

Spanish-Speaking Any Cancer Support Group 

  • When: Meets every first Wednesday of the month
  • Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Facilitator: Millie Culver, MSW
  • NEW Spanish-Speaking Any Cancer Support Group Attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.

 

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Millie Culver, MSW
Millie Culver, MSW
Millie has been a practicing social worker for 25 years, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She has practiced social work in Peru, South America, as well as in the United States, and is passionate about helping others through her work. 
Now a resident of Western Massachusetts, Millie works as the Oncology Social Worker for Sister Caritas Cancer Center, affiliated with Mercy Medical Center. In addition, she has studied at Westfield State University, and has a strong connection to the Western Massachusetts community.
Millie is looking forward to sharing and applying her social work experience with cancer patients and survivors, and is honored to facilitate the first Spanish-speaking Support Group for Survivor Journeys™.

Breast Cancer Support Group

  • When: Every fourth Monday of the month
  • Time: 7:00PM - 8:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Facilitator: Martha Otterbeck, LICSW
  • NEW Breast Cancer Support Group attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.

Blood Cancer Support Group

  • When: Meets every first Thursday of the month
  • Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Facilitator: Kara Sawyer, NP
  • ​Sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
  • NEW Blood Cancer Support Group attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.
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Kara Sawyer, NP
Kara Sawyer, NP

Kara is a primary care nurse practitioner with Springfield Medical Associates in Enfield, CT. At age 23, she was diagnosed with T cell leukemia/lymphoma and underwent a stem cell transplant in January 2011. As a cancer survivor with a career in health care, she is passionate about giving back, sharing knowledge and experiences, and offering a listening ear to survivors at all stages of their cancer journey. Prior to joining Survivor Journeys, Kara was a blood cancer group co-facilitator with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in Natick, MA.

Kara is a graduate of Providence College with a Bachelor's in Science in Health Policy in Management and Northeastern University with a Bachelor's of Science & Master's of Science in Nursing.


Head and Neck Cancer Support Group

  • When: Meets every third Wednesday of the month
  • Time: 6:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Facilitators: Heather A. Oliphant, LICSW (an Oncology Social Worker)
  • NEW Head and Neck Cancer Support Group attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.

Caregiver Support Group

  • When: Meets every fourth Thursday of the month
  • Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Facilitators: Tracey Thomasey, MSW, LSW, and Louise Sawyer (both experienced caregivers)
  • NEW Caregiver Group attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.

Moms with Cancer Support Group

  • When: Meets every 2nd Monday of the month
  • Time: 6:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Monthly support group for moms diagnosed with any type of cancer.
  • Facilitators: Paula Euber, M.Ed, CRC, LRC, RN (a mom and a breast cancer survivor) and Kamie Thornton (a mom and an ovarian cancer survivor)
  • NEW Moms with Cancer Group attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.
  • NOTE: We are open to exploring other times if this window does not work well for those interested – please reach out by email at survivorshipprogram@gmail.com or call 413-276-6100 with other suggested times. 

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Kamie Thornton
Kamie Thornton

Kamie Thornton is a mother of five and is passionate about supporting women, children, and families.  Prior to her gynecological cancer diagnosis in 2019, she provided psychosocial and developmental support to pediatric patients and their families in the Child Life department at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.  

Kamie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and an Undergraduate Certificate in Child Life.  She is a graduate student at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT studying Art Therapy & Counseling.

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Paula Euber
Paula Euber

Paula Euber is a rehabilitation counselor, registered nurse, breast cancer survivor, and mother to two young children.  While working full time, keeping up with active kids, and maintaining a jam-packed schedule,  a cancer diagnosis didn’t fit on an already-full plate! Recognizing the complexity of being diagnosed with cancer while juggling parental (and other) responsibilities, Paula looks forward to supporting and encouraging moms who are balancing what often feels impossible. 


"What Do You Do When…" Cancer Support Group

  • When: Meets every third Monday of the month
  • Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM
  • Where: Remote, online via Zoom.
  • Monthly support group to help answer questions about how to manage everyday life as a cancer survivor.
  • Facilitator: Charlene Potts, PT, MS, CRC (an ovarian and liver cancer survivor), and Molly Irwin, LICSW
  • NEW "What Do You Do When…" Cancer Group attendees will need to register by emailing or by calling 413-276-6100.
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Charlene Potts, PT, MS, CRC
Charlene Potts, PT, MS, CRC

Charlene Potts joined the Survivor Journeys Team in March 2021. Charlene’s career has evolved over the years. She has worked as a Pediatric Physical Therapist with children and their families in hospitals, research for the MDA, early intervention and the local school systems. She returned to college, did her thesis on “Differences in Interests and Self-Concept across Vocational Identity in Adolescents” and earned a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Springfield College in 2012. She has served students and adults in various capacities in the community. Charlene for years managed their small Moonbeam Miniature Farm while her and her husband raised a family. Charlene has a passion for Miniature horses, Icelandic horses, water exercise, sewing, quilting, knitting, new recipes, reading, conversations with people and small adventures. Charlene with her faith, the support of her family and friends has survived Ovarian Cancer in 2013 and recently Liver Cancer in September 2019. Charlene comes to Survivor Journeys to continue her life long journey learning and sharing her life as a cancer survivor with other cancer survivors and their families.

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Molly Irwin, LICSW
Molly Irwin, LICSW

Hi! I’m Molly and I have cancer.

 

A little about my cancer: 

I have been in ongoing treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute since I was first diagnosed in June 2017 at age 29. My official diagnosis is primary peritoneal/ovarian cancer, and more specifically, stage 3C high grade serous carcinoma. My disease is chronic, but I haven't let that stop me from living my life.

 

A little about me: 

I was born and raised in Newton, MA and currently live in Brighton, MA with my husband, Dennis and our dog Trooper. I am the proud auntie of 7 nieces and nephews and try to see them as often as I can. I am a licensed social worker working full time operating a private psychotherapy practice in Boston, focusing on young adults and specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma and chronic illness. In addition to my practice, I facilitate cancer support groups for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and am piloting their first group dedicated to Young Adults. I believe building a community can be incredibly beneficial to any cancer survivor, and I am honored to be a part of that journey for others.


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For those interested, please email us or call 413-276-6100.

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