Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Support Groups and Classes
New Patient Appointment or 214-645-4673
Classes
Mindful Meditation
Simmons Spiritual Support invites you to participate in Mindful Meditation. Take a pause, breathe deep, and gather together in a quiet reflection as we lead you through various guided meditations.
Who: Patients and loved ones
When: Second Friday of every month
Time: 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom (invite link will be sent out the day of the event)
Facilitator: RSVP to Simmons Spiritual Support or fill out our online form.
Healthy Eating for Cancer Survivorship
Join us for a class on healthy eating that meets virtually every Tuesday for four weeks. Improve your diet and learn how healthy eating can be stress-free and facilitate weight management. Topics include reducing cancer recurrence and cancer risk with diet, portion control and label reading, plant-based meals, dining out, meal planning, a grocery store tour, nutrition facts versus fiction, and so much more. You can also view our side effect management resources and nutrition guidelines anytime.
Who: Patients. The class has an emphasis on long-term survivorship and weight maintenance.
When: March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2026
Time: Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom. Link will be sent after registration.
Facilitator: Supportive Care dietitians
Mindful Movement: Yoga Class
This six-week mindful movement series offers rotating topics that address common concerns during cancer treatment, including fatigue, balance, and strength. Complete the interest form to receive updates when the next class is announced.
Who: All UTSW cancer patients
When: TBD 2026
Time: Noon - 1 p.m.
Where: Cancer Care Outpatient Building, second floor - Room NM 2.704B
Pancreatic Pre-Surgery Class
This class covers commonly asked questions around pancreatic surgery and includes nutrition and exercise recommendations as well as spiritual and emotional support available. Members of the supportive services team including a social worker, chaplain, dietitian, and a cancer exercise trainer will be available during this virtual class. Your surgical team will refer you to this class.
Who: Patients with a scheduled pancreatic surgery
When: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month
Time: 11 a.m. – noon
Where: These events will meet virtually, and patients need to be scheduled to attend.
For more information or to register, please contact us at SupportiveCare@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Surviving to Thriving: Art and Healing
Surviving to Thriving: Art and Healing is an art and conversation workshop for cancer patients, led by Marianne Gargour, founder of MG Coaching & Creativity. Marianne is a life transitions coach, artist, and cancer survivor. She helps participants find clarity, relief, and hope through art and conversation, offering support for participants at all stages of their cancer journey. Make art and friends while you relieve stress and relax. Bring an open mind, curiosity, and a readiness to explore. Come alone, with a friend, or your caregiver! No art skills are required.
Who: Patients (new and current) and caregivers
When: Every Tuesday and Wednesday from February 3 – April 22, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Where: Cancer Care Outpatient Building, second floor - Room NM2.966
Virtual Lunch and Learn
Our Lunch & Learn series features educational sessions throughout the year, each with a unique topic presented by special guest speakers and followed by an interactive Q&A. Check back soon for 2026 topics and registration details!
Topic: Supportive Care & Integrative Oncology
When: Friday, February 20, 2026
Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom, check back soon for a registration link!
Orientations
New Patient Connections for Breast Cancer
This orientation class serves to introduce newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to the comprehensive care of SCCC’s Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology team. Patients are educated on how each member may be helpful during treatment as well as what to expect in the first few weeks or month of care. Patients are referred to this orientation by their nurse navigator.
Who: Patients who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer or new to breast cancer care at SCCC
When: Twice monthly, date and time varies.
Where: Virtually
For more information or to register, please contact us at SupportiveCare@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Pancreatic Orientation
This orientation serves to introduce newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients to the comprehensive care of SCCC’s Supportive Care team. Patients are educated on how each service – such as social work, dietician, chaplain, music therapy, and exercise training – may be helpful during treatment. Patients are referred to this orientation by their nurse navigator.
Who: Patients who are newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or who have come to clinic for a second opinion
When: Every Thursday
Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: Cancer Care Outpatient Building
For more information or to register, please contact us at SupportiveCare@UTSouthwestern.edu.
GU New Patient Orientation
This orientation serves to introduce new UTSW patients with genitourinary cancer(s) to the comprehensive care of SCCC's Supportive Care team. Patients are educated on how each service – such as social work, dietician, chaplain, and music therapy – may be helpful during their medical journey with UTSW. Patients are referred to this orientation by the social worker.
Who: Patients who are newly diagnosed with a genitourinary cancer or patients who are new to SCCC
When: Second Thursday of every month
Time: 11 a.m. – noon
Where: These events will meet virtually, and new patients will need to register to attend.
For more information or to register, please contact us at SupportiveCare@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Groups
Sister to Sister: Support Group for African American Women with Breast Cancer
Join Patricia Branham, RN, OCN, and our team social worker for a sister-to-sister support group experience. This group is for African American women with any stage of breast cancer. We will address physical, emotional, and practical issues that arise during and after treatment.
Who: African American women diagnosed with breast cancer
When: Second Tuesday of every month
Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: UT Southwestern Medical Center at RedBird
DFW Blood Cancer Support Group
This support group for cancer patients and their caregivers will address specific issues related to a cancer diagnosis and will provide an opportunity for patients to discuss concerns, anxieties, and feelings related to illness, treatment, and other related issues. The meetings are designed to provide mutual support and education to members by meeting with others whose situations are similar to their own. They are a resource to support coping in conjunction with your medical treatment.
Who: Patients and caregivers affected by blood cancer
When: Third Saturday for the following months, alternating in-person and virtual.
- In-person: Cancer Care Outpatient Building, second floor - Room NM 2.704B | January, March, May, July, and November
- Virtual: Zoom (link will be sent before each session) | February, June, August, and October
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Where: Third Saturday for the following months, alternating in-person and online-
Oncology Caregiver Support Group
Are you supporting a family member through cancer treatment? Then you are a caregiver.
Providing care and support during cancer treatment can be a challenge. It’s common to feel overwhelmed with the new or ongoing role of caregiver. All caregivers need support. Joining a support group may help you gain new insights, get ideas about how to cope, and help you know that you're not alone. In a support group, people may talk about their feelings, trade advice, or sometimes just listen.
Who: Exclusively for caregivers of UT Southwestern oncology patients. A caregiver is any adult who is caring for a person who has been diagnosed with cancer.
When: Second Thursday of every month
Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom. A link will be emailed to you.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
Please feel free to join this group of men discussing the impact of prostate cancer in a supportive environment. This monthly group is led by a registered nurse from the community and includes guest speakers and open sharing amongst the group.
Who: Current and former cancer patients
When: Second Monday of every month
Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: Moncrief Cancer Institute, first floor – Education Classroom
Facilitator: RSVP to Robert Hernandez or at 817-288-9841.
Young Adult Cancer Support
Who: Social and supportive meetup for young adult cancer survivors ages 18-39
When: Last Tuesday of every month
Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Cancer Care Outpatient Building, third floor - Thompson Family Conference Center
RSVP by emailing YoungAdults@UTSouthwestern.edu or calling 214-267-UTYA (8892)
Life After Transplant
Come together to share your journey and learn from others as you navigate survivorship.
Who: Autologous, allogeneic, and CAR-T transplant patients
When: Third Friday of every month
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: These events will meet virtually.
Spiritual Support and Community Gathering
Join board-certified chaplains Tammy Wynn, Gina Biddle, and Paul Yu-Angel for casual conversation and community support. Persons of all faiths – and no faith – are welcome. We encourage open sharing and do not endorse any specific faith, institution, or cause.
Who: Patients and caregivers
When: Fourth Friday of most months
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Where: These events will meet virtually.
Facilitator: RSVP to Simmons Spiritual Support or online.
Grief Support Group
Grief Support Group is a safe place for people to gather in a judgment-free zone and offer comfort through words by reframing the experience of grief with no need to "fix.” You’ll also learn to listen to what your head knows, but your heart is not ready to hear. Our groups are led by professional staff and include a supportive environment for all.
Grief is such a tender thing. When it’s “new” or “recent,” group atmosphere usually does not meet the person’s needs. Therefore, we recommend some personal space and time before engaging in a group.
Who: Exclusively for bereaved adult family members of UT Southwestern Oncology Clinics
When: Second Thursday of every month
Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom.