Cancer Support Services

A cancer diagnosis can be very stressful for patients and their families. The Joe and Virginia Schmissrauter Center for Cancer Support offers guidance and a full range of holistic care. All services are free to cancer patients and their families and no referral is needed.  The Center is located on the CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga campus in the Plaza Building, 605 Glenwood Drive, Suite 307, Chattanooga, TN. For more information, call (423) 495-7778.


Your oncology-certified cancer team

  • RN nurse navigators – education, coordination, symptom management
  • Clinical social workers – individual and family counseling, support groups, psychosocial education, stress reduction, case management
  • Dietitians – nutrition tips for symptom management, wellness nutrition, tube feeding recommendations
  • Oncology chaplain – spiritual care, advance care planning
     

To talk with someone about cancer screening or treatment 24/7, call (423) 495-2222.

Support groups

For individuals with a cancer diagnosis who would like to explore various art mediums as a way of coping. Held in-person on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 12:30 - 2 p.m.

Contact the Center for Cancer Support at (423) 495-7778 for more information.

For women diagnosed with breast cancer in active treatment. Held virtually via Zoom and in-person on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Contact Isabel Bolanos, LCSW, at (423) 495-7868 for more information. 

For individuals living with a cancer diagnosis. Open to all cancer types and places in the  cancer experience. Held virtually via Zoom on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Contact Briana Cobb, LMSW, at (423) 495-7703 for more information.

For caregivers of individuals living with cancer. Held virtually via Zoom on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Contact Briana Cobb, LMSW, at (423) 495-7703 for more information. 

Ven y participa por teléfono o virtualmente por zoom el segundo y cuatro martes de cada mes. Llama o envia un correo electrónico a Isabel Bolaños para más información (423) 495-7868 o [email protected].

For women diagnosed with gynecological cancer in active treatment. Held virtually via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Monday from 10 - 11a.m.

Contact Isabel Bolanos, LCSW, at (423) 495-7868 for more information.

For individuals affected by blood cancer. Held the 1st Thursday of each month from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Contact Katie Davis, LCSW, at (423) 495-3142 for more information. 

For men diagnosed with prostate cancer who would like to gain support, share experiences, and participate in educational meetings. Held in-person and virtually via Zoom on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Contact Jennifer Huisman, BSN, RN, OCN at (423) 495-2519 for more information.

Be a Quitter, CHI Memorial's smoking cessation program, helps participants learn how to overcome tobacco addiction. Virtual and in-person sessions available.

Contact the Center for Cancer Support at (423) 495-7778 for more information. 

Have questions about the groups listed? Interested in another type of group not listed? Call us at (423) 495-7778 for additional resources and referrals.

Additional Services

Our holistic approach means we provide care which supports your mind, body and spirit. Additional services include:

  • Clinical trial – Information is available for those who may be eligible.
  • Financial counseling – Cancer treatment can be costly. Our counselors work to relieve concerns and connect to resources so patients can focus on recovery.
  • Relaxation techniques – Breathing, guided imagery and mediation techniques can help manage stress, enhance wellbeing, improve coping skills and increase self-awareness.
  • Resource library – Brochures, books and videos on a wide variety of topic are available with some resources in Spanish.
  • Risk counseling – Cancer risk counseling is available to help people understand better how genetic factors and family history of cancer might affect their individual risk of developing cancer. 
  • Spiritual care – As you and your family face cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival, CHI Memorial’s chaplains are available for counseling and prayer. Your needs may require only a brief prayer or a more intensive faith discussion. Our mission is to provide aid, comfort and respect.

For more information about services offered at CHI Memorial Center for Cancer Support, call (423) 495-7778.
 

Survivorship empowerment video series

People often wonder what they can do to get and stay healthy once cancer treatment is complete.  Lifestyle changes, like eating healthier and increasing physical activity, can lower your risk of cancer and death, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  We hope you find our Survivorship Empowerment Video Series beneficial.

Melanoma survivor shares his story.

Registered dietitians Sharon Hopper and Robin Darling discuss nutrition.

Registered dietitians Sharon Hopper and Robin Darling share cooking tips.