THE ANNAPOLIS SUPPORT PROGRAM:  We have a very active face-to-face support program in Annapolis, Maryland.  The group has weekly activities, guest speakers every second month, and works to ensure each member has the support she/he needs.  Women and men with metastatic breast cancer, who live in and around Annapolis Maryland are welcome to join.  Please contact Pat Tomaselli at pat.tomaselli@ngc.com)

ADVICE ON ESTABLISHING SUPPORT GROUPS:  Establishing a basic support program does not need to be difficult.  It can be as simple as several persons with BC mets getting together at a coffee shop once each month to chat.  Or it can be as complicated as having a guest speaker program, creating logos, providing materials, arranging transportation and meals for members, etc.  Our advice is to start simple.  You can expand later if you wish.  METAvivor is happy to assist others wanting to start their own support programs for metastatic breast cancer by offering specific suggestions and advice. 

Those interested are asked to first read the following outline on how to establish your own support program.  The outline offers two different options for starting a basic support program:  1) entirely on your own or 2) through a hospital or other organization.  Following the second option is a section entitled “POSSIBLE ADD-ONS”.  In this section you will find a series of additional actions and activities that you can add to your program if and when you decide to expand.  The add-ons are entirely optional.  They require additional time and effort and are not necessary to have a successful program. 

If you have additional questions after reading the outline, please contact “CJ” (Dian Corneliussen-James) at cj.metavivor@gmail.com or call 410-263-3340.