New Dates Announced for Emanuel Cancer Center's Monkey Business

Turlock, Calif. – Cancer can be scary, especially for children. Emanuel Cancer Center is here to provide emotional support and a safe place for children with a loved one diagnosed with cancer.

Emanuel Cancer Center offers Monkey Business for children and teens, ages 5-17. Through meaningful and therapeutic activities, expressive art, games and stories, Monkey Business provides support and coping skills for children and their families.

“Watching these children interact with one another and get to know others who are going through the same experience as they are, is priceless,” said Sara Briggs, Monkey Business Coordinator. “We have the goal of helping these kids understand cancer and try to process their feelings. We provide coping skills to help ease their feelings of anger, sadness and fear.”

Participants eat dinner together in a large group and then separate into smaller groups based on their age. Parents and guardians also have the opportunity to participate in an adult support group.

Monkey Business – led by trained volunteers and staff – runs from 4-5:30 p.m. Upcoming group dates are: Aug. 26, Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and Dec. 16.

Monkey Business is free and open to any child in the community. For more information or to register, please call (209) 664-5044. Pre-registration is required.

At Emanuel Cancer Center, we understand the importance of providing support for community members impacted by cancer. We offer a variety of support groups for patients and their support system network:

• THRIVE Cancer Support Group – This peer support group is open to all adult cancer patients, caregivers and cancer survivors in our community. Facilitated by our social workers, we explore various topics related to coping with cancer, stress reduction, complimentary therapies and survivorship. THRIVE meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Emanuel Cancer Center conference room. Registration not required.
• Men’s Cancer Support Group – Whether you are the one impacted by cancer or you are supporting a loved one through cancer, this group is designed to help men cope by offering education and support during the cancer journey. Chaplain Robert, himself a cancer survivor, facilitates this support group. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month from 1-2 p.m. in Suite 101 of the Emanuel Cancer Center.
• HEALING IMAGES: Creative Expression through Art – Generously funded by the Bill and Elsie Ahlem Cancer Endowment, this monthly group is open to all adults in our community who are impacted by cancer. Each month Margaret Hunter, licensed therapist/art therapist, leads a new and easy expressive project. No art experience needed and all supplies are provided at no charge. Come tap into your creativity and let go of stress. We meet on the last Thursday of the month from 2-4 p.m. Please call (209) 664-2434 to reserve your spot.
• Chair Yoga – All cancer patients and caregivers are welcome to join. Fees have been waived thanks to the generosity of the Bill & Elsie Ahlem Cancer Endowment. This is a gentle, seated, go-at-your-own-pace class tailor-made for our community. The 75-minute classes are held on Mondays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. in the Emanuel Cancer Center conference room. No need to register. Walk-ins are welcome. Come breathe, relax and lower your stress.
• Massage Therapy – Complimentary half-hour massage therapy appointments are available for cancer patients and caregivers every Tuesday from 1-5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is fully-clothed massage where the therapist works gently with your body, releasing tension and stress. Fees have been waived thanks to the generosity of the Bill & Elsie Ahlem Cancer Endowment. Appointments are required. Please call (209) 664-2434.
• Free Wig Bank and Resource Room – The American Cancer Society provides a complimentary wig to any woman experiencing cancer and hair loss. We also have complimentary hats, scarves and lap blankets. Our resource library has materials available on nearly every kind of cancer as well as materials relating to nutrition, coping with cancer, caregiver support, family concerns, inspiration and more. The volunteers at the concierge desk would be happy to assist you in finding what you’re looking for.

Save the Date! The Emanuel Cancer Center is hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019 at 6 p.m. More details to come.