MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – St. Helena Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center is offering a free support group for those with life-altering medical illnesses and injuries as well as caregivers.

The Circle of Life and Wellness group will meet the first Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Middletown Library. The first meeting will be June 3.

The Circle of Life and Wellness is focused on providing emotional support along with education and opportunities for discussion.

All individuals suffering from a life-altering medical illness or injury such as cancer, chronic pain, systemic disease traumatic injury or other illness are invited to join the dynamic group.

The circle will be facilitated by Amber Warner, LCSW, a psychotherapist in the Live Well Program at the St. Helena Family Health Center – Clearlake.

At Live Well, Warner works one-on-one with patients to improve quality of life and often emphasizes the importance of receiving support from others. “Having a community around you is a powerful tool for resilience and wellness,” explained Warner.

The Circle is sponsored by the Integrative Cancer Support Services at the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center at St. Helena Hospital Napa Valley.

Colleen Winters, clinical care navigator, began a support circle in Lake County over five years ago.

“We know that learning more and connecting with others fosters healing and relieves stress,” Winters explained. “We hope this group will help patients and caregivers cope through their journey.”

The Middletown Library is located at 21256 Washington St. in Middletown. The Circle of Life and Wellness meets the first Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact the Martin O’Neil Cancer Center at 707-967-5791.