UCSF Cancer Resource Center

at Mission Bay

Formerly the Patient and Family

Cancer Support Center



Walk-In Hours: Monday thru Friday

9:00 am – 5:00 pm

• Many resources and support services available to you
• Visit a comfortable resting area between appointments
• Check your MyChart, emails, or charge your phone
• Or stop by just to say "Hi."

We may be reached by e-mail at

crc@ucsf.edu or by phone at 415-885-3693.

Please stop by

1825 4th Street | Cross street, 16th Street

Lobby, Ste. M1210

Cancer Resource Center

Offerings, Programs & Services

PeerTalk connects patients receiving cancer care with trained Peer Mentors sharing their cancer experience. Before we officially launch, we are looking for more patients interested in becoming Peer Mentors. The Peer Support Program is still connecting new patients until PeerTalk has fully launched.

To become a Peer Mentor, you need to:

• Have been diagnosed with cancer OR in a high-risk group for cancer
• Have received a good portion of your cancer care at UCSF
• Are at least 6 + months post treatment or active surveillance
• Attend a two-hour Peer Mentor training



Sign Up for a PeerTalk Training

To sign up for one of the Peer Mentor trainings, you will need to register through the Eventbrite link – Eventbrite PeerTalk link. Following your registration, you will receive further instructions and information. (Click "Check Availability")

Questions?

Reach us at PeerTalk@ucsf.edu or call 415-885-3693 opt. 3

Notary Services at the

Cancer Resource Center

How do I schedule an appointment?

Clinic/Admin Staff or Social Worker will email Bernardo Diaz or the Cancer Resource Center

or call 415-885-3785 to get an appointment scheduled. You may also call or email.

UCSF Programs, Seminars & Events

Click Below or Scan the QR Code

Questions: Contact Risa Salinas

Our dietitian Greta Macaire, MA, RD, CSO,, has selected the following recipe to feature this month. Also, be sure to check out our online video library of our nutrition workshops.

5-Minute Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

Directions

1. Wash and slice the cucumbers and place them in a medium bowl
2. Add vinegar, sesame oil, salt and pepper and toss
3. Top with sesame seeds if desired
4. Eat right away or cover and store in fridge for up to three days

Yields 2 Servings

Recipe from The Delicious Spoon

Are you a UCSF cancer patient and have some nutrition concerns?

Note: One-on-one Nutrition Counseling is available with one of our four oncology dietitians at no cost to UCSF cancer patients. These appointments are available via zoom (video visit) or telephone, by scheduling through your oncologist office/team.

Are you a UCSF cancer patient looking to regain strength or range of motion?

If so, you are eligible for a free one-on-one 60-minute Exercise Counseling video appointment. You will be able ask any specific questions you may have as it relates to exercising. If you have pain or discomfort limiting your participation in exercise, you should reach out to your doctor. They can refer you to physical therapy to manage your pain and help you get back to being physically active!

Please refer to your oncology department to make an appointment referral.

For more information, please call 415-514-6430  or 415-885-3693

Resisted Sit-to-Stand

With Dumbbell Held in Shoulder Flexion

These days we are moving around quite a bit. Being able to get up from a sitting position easily is very important; at home, from the car, at the airport, or even at the doctor’s office when they call your name. This exercise can help you prepare for the tasks at hand. With this exercise it can assist with bridge lower-body power, core and posture stability, and upper-body mobility. Taking the time to improve these areas can make your day better in many ways. We are currently doing this exercise in the Core and More class.

Setup:

Begin seated in a chair. Hold a dumbbell with both arms out in front of you with your elbows straight. (If there is trouble with your shoulders, you may hold the dumbbells in front of you at your chest with elbows bent).

Movement:

• Rise to standing
• Holding the dumbbell out in front of you (or close to your chest with elbows bent)
• Pause, then lower yourself slowly in a controlled manner

Tip:

Try to perform the exercise with control, particularly on the way down, so that you sit softly in the chair.

Performance:

Perform 1x per day, 2 times a week.

2 sets, 8-10 reps

Have fun, stay safe, and healthy!

-Jordan LaBrec PT, DPT, MS, CSCS

Core and More Instructor

We also offer groups for loved ones, including the Friends and Family Group (open to all cancer types), the Husband and Significant Others group (for male-identifying loved ones), and for Brain Tumor Caregivers

There truly is support available for everyone; there are some groups open to young adults, and some gender specific. We collaborate with other organizations to offer a vast array of options. For more information on registering for any of these groups, please visit:

UCSF Apparel are available at both locations

 Thank you for your continued support.

We look forward to supporting you and hope to see you soon!

Please visit our website See More Here

Offerings for Patients

.................... Music at Mission Bay

......................Every Tuesday on the 5th Floor (in-patient building)

 Weekly music offerings for everyone!

Our groups are free, and no musical skill is required. Please ask your nurse for clearance before leaving the bedside. Please contact Josie Friedman

(Registration is Required for all AFR Offerings)

For Additional information and to register for these offerings

Call: 415-885-7225 or Visit: Art for Recovery

Laughter Yoga

**This is a public class - anyone may join**

All in the comfort of your home.

Laughter has been shown to boost your immune system, release tension and stress, help manage pain, and so much more.

To learn more: Go to Osher Center Public Classes/Laughter Yoga

This is a time for you to take a moment to breathe, reflect, and ground ourselves. No meditation experience necessary.

This space is open for all patients, caregivers, and staff.



To attend online via Zoom

Please email: Spiritual Care Visit Our Website

Introducing Yuan Gong an updated, gentle and effective practice of QiGong, a traditional Chinese healing system (the origin of T’ai Chi). This class focuses on improving health and well-being. Appropriate for people experiencing cancer and chronic conditions. The class accommodates people with movement restrictions or even chair-based practitioners. 

Reserve in advance

If you are a UCSF patient who has finished active cancer treatment, please join us for an orientation to our Survivorship Wellness program. This 8-week interdisciplinary program will help you focus on optimizing health and wellness after cancer treatment.

Learn how to set personal goals and practice skills in: nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep, goal-setting, sexual wellness, emotional wellness, and spiritual wellness.

Open to UCSF patients who are no longer in active treatment for cancer. Most insurance plans are accepted.

ONGOING

The MERI Center uses the wisdom of palliative care to honor the humanity and dignity of all people, regardless of background. Bridging innovative education with the arts & humanities, the MERI Center has offerings for all audiences, including patients, caregivers, healthcare workers and the general public. Check out these offerings and more!

See all our Events and Offerings

For more information: Email Gayle Kojimoto or Call 415-509-8645

Learn More:

If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter or learn about upcoming events:

UCSF MERI Center mailing list.

Help keep the MERI Center workshops free by donating

Program Highlights



ACS CARES™ (Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support)

Our digital app utilizes a health assessment to provide self-service, non-clinical navigation support with information tailored to each person’s needs. (App is available in English and Spanish)

Road To Recovery ® *

This ACS volunteer program provides free rides to/from cancer-related medical appointments (per availability).  

Extended Stay America Lodging Support *

ACS has teamed up with Extended Stay America (ESA) to offer discounted rooms for patients who have to be away from home for cancer treatment.

*Call our Helpline: 1-800-227-2345

or Via Chat: https://www.cancer.org/

Watch Previous Recorded Webinars

Did you miss one of Triage Cancer's free live webinars?  Click Here 

Triage Cancer's free educational webinar series discusses the practical and legal issues impacting people beyond diagnosis. Learn about navigating finances after a cancer diagnosis, health insurance, disability insurance, work and employment rights, advocacy, estate planning, clinical trials, and more.

View our main page for more materials and resources

See Here

Open to Options

Have you recently been diagnosed with a new or recurrent cancer? Do you need to make decisions about treatment options? Do you have an appointment scheduled to meet with your doctor?

Cancer Support Community offers a free question listing service to help you prepare for your upcoming oncology visit. The goals of this program are to help you communicate clearly with your medical team, ask critical questions about your options, and help ensure that your treatment decisions fit your personal hopes and goals. 

To make an appointment, please call us at 925-933-0107 or 888-793-9355.

View Here

Need to Talk?

Grow Therapy can help.

Find a psychiatrist or therapist near you who takes your insurance. Finding the right therapist that fits your schedule and arranging your session is easy, safe, and secure. Book today!

 Location | Insurance | Needs

 It can be challenging for patients with Medi-Cal to find a therapist sometimes.

We accept most major insurances including Medi-Cal and many more. 

Search and Schedule:

View Here

Let's Talk Caregiving

California Caregiver Resource Centers

In collaboration with various organizations to make these offerings available for you.

Prescription for Caregivers: Take Care of Yourself

Tuesday, July 7th | 1:30 pm PT

This film discusses the common issues of guilt, resentment, overwhelm, and obstacles to self-care that challenge many caregivers. It is filmed in front of a live audience of family caregivers who contribute from their experiences. The value of self-care is stressed.

See More Here

Mettle Monthly Webinar - Mettle's first book club:

“Never Can Say Goodbye” in conversation with

the author, Darnell Lamont Walker

Friday, August 14th | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Something new is beginning. We've been accompanying people through serious illness, dying, and grief for a while now—and we've always believed that stories are part of how we do that well. So, we're starting a book club. Darnell Lamont Walker—Emmy-nominated children's television writer, death doula, and author of Never Can Say Goodbye: The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End. Darnell bridges worlds most of us keep separate—through stories told with warmth, humor, and honesty. He reminds us that the simplest expressions of love and care are often the most radical. Read the book. Come with your questions. Bring a friend. We'll see you there.

Online Session with the author:

Register Here

Community Programs & Events

Understand Your Rights When Going Back to Work

August 26th | 10:00 – 11:30 am PT

This webinar will cover what to know when returning to work after cancer. Topics include rights and benefits available under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and state laws, including how to request reasonable accommodations and take job-protected leave. Considerations around disclosing a medical diagnosis, tips for returning to an existing job and applying to new jobs and handling applications and interviews will be discussed.

More Webinars

Balancing Work & Cancer Webinars

Communicating Effectively Part 1

Part 2 Wednesday, Aug 5th | 10:00am

Clear communication at work isn’t just helpful - it’s a power skill. This first session of our two‑part series breaks down what effective communication really looks like, how your personal communication style shapes workplace interactions, and how to navigate disclosure decisions with confidence and control.

Current & Upcoming Events

See Here

Navigating: Understanding Care Coordination

During and After Treatment 

Wednesday, August 12th | 10:00 – 11:00 am | (via zoom)

Cancer care often involves navigating multiple providers, appointments, treatments, and ongoing health concerns, both during and after treatment. In this presentation, Ilana Yurkiewicz, M.D., will explore the important role of care coordination in supporting individuals living with cancer or transitioning into survivorship.

Participants will learn more about the healthcare system, strategies for improving communication, and ways to empower, inform, and support their care.

To register, please contact BACC’s Helpline

call (650) 326-6686 or email info@bayareacancer.org

CancerBuddy Communitas is bringing a peer community together first-of-its-kind in-person retreat for members of the CancerBuddy peer support. This will be a time of sharing with one another to heal in community. Registration will cover room and board for two nights, meals, meditation, nutrition coaching, counseling and much more while having access to nature and buddies.

This retreat is exclusively for those 21+ within the CancerBuddy peer support community.

Interested: Download the CancerBuddy app and create your profile,

and join our CancerBuddy Communitas group for live updates + to apply.

Pickles - Kids Supporting Kids | How to talk to kids about cancer webinars

Request your Family Cancer Support Kit

American Cancer Society | “Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer”

National Cancer Institute | “When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens”

MD Anderson Center | “When a parent has cancer: Helping teens and kids cope”

Facebook | My Parent Has Cancer and It Really Sucks

Teens supporting teens can make a difference.

Women’s Cancer Resource Center “WCRC” provides a range of services to support women with cancer (and their families) in the East Bay & Contra Costa County. 

We help individuals from various backgrounds and cultures improve their quality of life through education, supportive services, and practical assistance.

Free Therapy Sessions with WCRC Licensed Therapists

We match eligible clients with one of our professionally licensed therapists for 12 sessions. If you have general questions about the program, please call 510-809-0216 and leave a message. 

WCRC Support Groups - Visit Here or Call: 510-601-4040

WCRC provides a range of services to

support women (and their families) in the East Bay & Contra Costa County

Website: www.wcrc.org or Email: wcrc@wcrc.org

Visit Our Calendar

A Blood Cancer Information Specialist can speak one-on-one with you and can assist you through blood cancer treatment, and financial and social challenges, and give accurate up-to-date disease treatment and support information. Our Information Specialists are highly trained oncology social workers and nurses located in the United States.

Program status, or help with the online portal, please call

877-557-2672

5:30 am - 2:00 pm PT

Pink Ribbon Good

We still provide FREE direct services to women with

breast cancer and gynecological cancers throughout the

CA Bay Area and within a 40-mile radius of SF

and Santa Clara County   

 Any stage, any age, no restrictions on income.

For support for yourself or loved one, Click Here

If you would like to donate to this organization, Click Here

You may contact us directly at: 877-269-5367

Support for Chinese Cancer Patients

and their Families

對中國癌症患者及其家人的支持

Our Mission: 我們的任務：

To serve Chinese cancer patients and families through service, education,

advocacy, and research.

New Hope Chinese Cancer Care Foundation serves patients regardless of religion, gender, age and region; and serves Chinese cancer patients and their families with the implementation of services and integrated use of resources.

透過服務、教育、宣傳和研究為華人癌症患者和家庭服務。

新希望中華癌症關懷基金會為病人服務，不分宗教、性別、年齡、地理；為華人癌症患者及其家屬提供服務實施和資源整合利用。

Transportation Service  交通接送

Free transportation to cancer patients for medical treatment. Volunteers are arranged according to the situation. Please call as soon as possible to make an appointment.

Love Recovery Meal 愛心康復餐

Providing short-term meal service for cancer patients in need during treatment. Nutritious diet supports cancer patients’ recovery.

"Ask the Doctor" 問醫生

Free Doctor’s Consultation. Oncology specialist Dr. Dai Rongtao answers various questions about cancer treatment for cancer patients and their families.

Visit our website 造訪我們的網站

For these services and more, please call the office for enquiries:

如需這些服務及更多服務，請致電辦公室詢問：

408-609-3338

Cancer Support Group

2nd & 4th Mondays | 10:30am – 12:00pm 

The Chinese Cancer Support Group is a free and ongoing program that serves cancer patients and their family members through mutual support and caring. We provide resources on health information, fitness, sharing circle, outings, and activities to assist cancer survivors as they experience treatment and recovery.

For support for patients and families who speak Taishanese, please call

Joanna Jiang at 415-781-0401 ext. 125

For questions or more information, please contact our front desk staff 

at 415-781-0401

癌症支援小組  

每月第二和第四個星期一 |上午 10:30 – 下午 12:00

華人癌症互助小組是一個免費且持續性的項目，透過相互支持和關懷為癌症患者及其家人提供服務。我們提供健康資訊、健身、分享圈、郊遊和活動方面的資源，以幫助癌症倖存者接受治療和復原。

如需為講台山話的患者及其家屬提供支持，請致電：

Joanna Jiang，電話：415-781-0401 轉 125

如有任何疑問或想了解更多信息，請聯繫我們的前台工作人員。

415-781-0401

English

Español

中文

Cancer Center New Patient Guidebook

(Click preferred language or link above for all versions of the Guidebook)

For a printed copy, please call: 415-885-3693

Support Groups

Cancer Support

Services

Peer Support