Patient and Family Program

CONNECT

Emotional Support

Engagement

The Early Onset Cancer Program has a new, cost-free opportunity, called CONNECT, which provides enhanced support, information, and resources to patients with early onset cancers and their families and supporters.

The Early Onset CONNECT team works closely with Nurses and Nurse Navigators, as well as your care team, to provide support for your cancer-related, non-medical needs and help promote engagement in your care. For Smilow patients who choose to enroll, the CONNECT team will learn about your specific needs, questions, and concerns. The CONNECT team may provide you with personalized information & resources, share educational events, suggest an early onset cancer support group, or place referrals to other Yale and Smilow programs that may interest you. They can also support your connection with your cancer care team.

Some patients may be referred to our Early Onset Cancer Specialist for more enhanced, ongoing navigation. The Early Onset Cancer Specialist can help support your engagement in care by partnering with Smilow and other community programs to share personalized resources and support applications for assistance with basic needs, build self-advocacy skills, and develop a personalized, needs-based navigation plan.

The Early Onset CONNECT Initiative is currently serving patients diagnosed with breast or GI cancers between the ages of 18 and 45 across Smilow Care Centers. We plan to expand our services to other types of cancer soon!

We are excited about a new support offering from the Early Onset Program:

Pathways: Therapeutic Art for Mind & Body Program for those enrolled in our CONNECT Program.

Under the guidance of a professional art therapist, Kamie Thornton, MA, ATR-P, LPC, patients can explore art through collage, drawing, painting, and other types of art to support self-expression and relaxation, reduce stress, and find avenues to express thoughts and feelings when managing cancer.

No art-making experience is needed to benefit from art therapy- the focus is on the creative process, not the end product.

Several options are available free of charge for patients enrolled in Early Onset Cancer CONNECT:

Individual Sessions (virtual or in-person)- up to 3 one-on-one sessions, tailored to your needs

Virtual Groups
3rd Tuesday of each month from 12 – 1 pm

In Person Groups
3rd Thursday of each month from 5:30 - 7 pm

To learn more about Pathways: Therapeutic Art for Mind & Body, or to register for a session, contact us at EarlyOnsetCancer@yale.edu or 203-785-4831.

Visit the American Art Therapy Association at https://arttherapy.org/ to learn more about therapeutic art.

Young families affected by early onset cancer may face side effects from treatment that impact fertility. Some therapies can interfere with egg development or sperm production, while others may harm reproductive organs such as the ovaries or testes. Yale offers a range of fertility preservation options for both men and women—including egg, embryo, and sperm freezing, as well as ovarian and testicular tissue preservation. Patients should speak with their cancer care team about these options and their eligibility before beginning any treatment. Learn more through Yale's Fertility Preservation Program.

Yale Medicine also collaborates with Livestrong Fertility, a national organization that supports people navigating fertility preservation during cancer. Through this partnership, patients and their families have access to specialized guidance and support. We also help eligible patients access financial assistance programs.

Our early onset cancer specialist works closely with young patients referred to Yale’s Fertility Preservation Program, providing oncofertility education, helping them explore financial support options, and guiding them through their cancer care. Patients may also be connected with Yale’s social work services for emotional support, or referred to the Yale Sexuality, Intimacy, and Menopause clinic for medical and psychological care tailored to women living with or recovering from cancer.

The Early Onset Cancer Program has partnered with our Social Work team to offer tailored support groups. We currently offer one support group dedicated to patients with early onset cancers (ages 18 – 45) and a second support group for the caregivers of patients with early onset cancers.

Smilow Cancer Hospital offers help and support to patients diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 49 throughout their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Connect with other patients facing similar experiences in our Free virtual support group

Schedule: Second & fourth Tuesday every month, from Noon – 1 pm, via Zoom

To register or for more information, call Halley Robinson, LCSW 475-209-6954, or Kristen Madrid, LCSW 203-500-5694

Download the Early Onset Cancer Patient Support Group Flyer

Smilow Cancer Hospital offers help and support to caregivers throughout their loved one’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. Connect with other caregivers facing similar experiences caring for younger patients diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 49. Caregivers include partners, spouses, and family members. Join a relaxed and caring environment where you can give and receive emotional support, learn about helpful community resources, and discuss coping strategies. Connect with other caregivers of patients with early onset cancers facing similar experiences in our Free virtual support group

Schedule: Second & fourth Thursdays every month, at 4 pm, via Zoom

To register, or for more information, call Mary Strauss, LCSW, OSW-C 203-500-7434

Download the Early Onset Cancer Caregiver Support Group Flyer

Our communication and engagement initiatives include program updates, newsletters, webinars, workshops, special events, and more. Patients enrolled in the CONNECT initiative may learn about new content and events directly from the team, but many of our events and content are open to the public.

Be sure to check out the event calendar on our main page for upcoming events.