Nevada Launches Free Cancer Survivor Support Workshop

When cancer treatment ends, the appointments stop but the challenges often don't.

Starting in 2027, the Sanford Center for Aging at the University of Nevada, Reno will offer a new program called Cancer: Thriving and Surviving. The free workshop supports people who have completed cancer treatment but still face lingering symptoms, anxiety about recurrence, and the emotional weight of navigating life after diagnosis.

"Cancer patients often feel great support from their families and communities while undergoing treatment, but that support ends abruptly once treatment ends, leaving them feeling forgotten and abandoned," said Hannah Linden, director of health and wellness for Sanford Center for Aging. The program aims to fill that gap with peer support and practical skills.

Participants meet weekly for six weeks, either in person or virtually, in small groups led by two trained facilitators. One facilitator is always a cancer survivor themselves, creating an environment where shared experiences build trust and understanding.

The interactive sessions cover managing fatigue, pain, and sleep problems that often continue after treatment. Participants learn strategies for coping with fear of recurrence, communicating with healthcare providers, and making informed decisions about their ongoing care. The program also addresses healthy eating, physical activity, and developing problem-solving skills.

Why This Inspires

This workshop recognizes a truth that too many cancer survivors know: completing treatment is a milestone, but it's not the finish line. Survivors face ongoing medical needs, appointment fatigue, financial stress, and the very real emotional toll of "scanxiety" before each follow-up test.

By bringing survivors together, the program transforms isolation into community. Participants gain not just information but connection with people who truly understand what it means to navigate life after cancer. They learn they're not alone in facing the invisible challenges that persist when everyone else assumes they're "all better."

The evidence-based program complements medical treatment rather than replacing it. Participants continue working with their healthcare teams while building confidence and skills to improve their quality of life and long-term well-being.

Northern Nevada residents interested in the program can sign up for the newsletter or call (775) 784-4774 Option 2 to learn when workshops begin. Because healing from cancer involves more than just treating the disease.