For Immediate Release
Contact:
Bonnie Dockham
734-975-2500
Bonnie@cancersupportannarbor.org

Laura Blodgett
734-712-4536
Laura.Blodgett@stjoeshealth.org

Cancer support services now available at St. Joseph Mercy Canton

The Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor (CSC) is proud to announce the expansion of its support services through a new collaboration with St. Joseph Mercy Canton's cancer center. This partnership with Saint Joseph Mercy Health System provides consistent programming across several of St. Joe's cancer centers in the region including Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Brighton and now Canton. St. Joe's cancer centers use leading- edge treatment technology and offer the latest clinical research trials through a multidisciplinary team approach that provides the highest quality patient outcomes.

"Cancer Support Community has been a great partner to our cancer program," said Beth LaVasseur, executive director, Oncology, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. "We are so happy to have a national organization of experts to provide such wonderful support to our patients who really value these important support and education services."

CSC provides free psychosocial support programs to all people impacted by cancer. These programs include professionally-led support groups, nutrition and cooking classes, educational programming, stress management and exercise activities, and social activities. All programs and services are grounded in research and have been shown to have a positive impact on quality of life. Benefits range from the management of physical side effects such as fatigue and nausea to emotional side effects including depression and anxiety.

St. Joe's ’ commitment to the overall well-being of families under their care aligns well with the mission of the Cancer Support Community, which is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

CSC will provide these free services onsite at the Chelsea, Canton and Brighton cancer centers, including quarterly educational workshops, weekly yoga classes, and monthly support groups for people impacted by cancer and their loved ones. Topics range from nutrition, sleep, and neuropathy to managing emotions and caregiving. Specific program information will be made available in all Cancer Support Community literature and website as well as through Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

About the Cancer Support Community

Cancer Support Community (CSC) of Greater Ann Arbor is part of an international non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. All programs are completely free of charge and offered in a comfortable, home-like environment. The Cancer Support Community offers professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress-reduction classes that empower and educate people touched by cancer. CSC is the only organization in Washtenaw County devoted solely to providing this support, education and hope to cancer patients, their friends, family and children. The center is located at 2010 Hogback Road, Suite 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. For more information: www.cancersupportannarbor.org.

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) is a health care organization serving seven counties in southeast Michigan including Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne,

Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, and Lenawee. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, 443-bed St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, 304-bed St. Mary Mercy Livonia, 136-bed St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell, and 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Combined, the five hospitals are licensed for 1,553 beds, have five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities, more than 25 specialty centers; employ more than 15,300 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 2,700 physicians. SJMHS has annual operating revenues of about $2 billion and returns about $120 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs.

SJMHS is a member of Trinity Health, a leading Catholic health care system based in Livonia, Mich. Trinity Health operates in 22 states, employs about 131,000 colleagues, has annual operating revenues of $17.6 billion and assets of about $24.6 billion. Additionally, the organization returns almost $1 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs.

For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit www.stjoeshealth.org.

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