Support at the Koontz Center
Living with advanced breast cancer takes a community of support. The Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer offers programs for patients and families, from support groups and exercise programs to educational sessions.
Monthly Forum
We host a monthly Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer Forum, a free virtual/live gathering of individuals with Stage 4 cancer, regardless of where they are being treated. The forum is a blend of information as well as sharing and support. Each session focuses on a different topic, ranging to recent data and news about MBC drug development, communication strategies, and management of the appearance-related side effects of cancer.
Support Groups
We are proud to partner with Gilda's Club Kansas City to offer a range of support groups of individuals with cancer and their loved ones. Gilda's Club, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, is dedicated to providing comprehensive programs to enhance the mind, body, and spirit of people whose lives have been impacted by cancer.
The Koontz Center also offers our bi-monthly support group exclusively for patients with metastatic breast cancer, offering a positive community of support.
The Journey of Courage and Hope Retreat
Saint Luke's hosts the Journey of Courage and Hope Retreat, which is a chance for women with metastatic breast cancer, and their partner or support person, to get away and experience healing and renewal. Participants experience community by bonding and learning from one another about how to deal with the chronic nature of metastatic breast cancer.
The retreat offers time for group discussion, yoga, massage, nature walks, and spiritual and emotional reflection connected to the journey of metastatic breast cancer. Topics relating to relationships, fear, coping, and grief and loss will be explored under the direction of our professional counselors.
The retreat is held several times each year. For more information, please contact Janie Metsker at 816-932-9644 or jmetsker@saintlukeskc.org.