Our Mission: To enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing education, information, and support.
Life with Cancer arose from a father’s need to guide and comfort himself and his children after his wife was diagnosed with and later lost her battle to cancer. Nando Di Filippo searched throughout the country for resources to help him and his children understand and cope with their emotions and their changed life. Ultimately, they found little help.
Disappointed, Nando was determined to create a presence within the healthcare system where people dealing with cancer could turn. He wanted to make available information, education, and support to help people from the time they were diagnosed through treatment and survivorship.
He made a generous donation to develop a program within Inova Health System solely devoted to supporting patients and families facing cancer. This program, begun at Inova Fairfax Hospital in 1988, planted the roots for Life with Cancer.
Since then, Life with Cancer has grown and expanded its staff of highly qualified oncology professionals. Together, the staff and more than 100 volunteers serve patients and their loved ones in several locations, in each of Inova Health System’s five hospitals, and in Life with Cancer’s 16,000-square-foot Dewberry Family Center.
Inova and Life with Cancer have a long and rich history, with Inova proudly supporting Life with Cancer since its inception. Today, Life with Cancer is an integral program of the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, providing wellness and educational programs to cancer patients and their families both during and after treatment. Inova remains committed to Life with Cancer, ensuring this program delivers care to address the complex needs facing cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones.
Life with Cancer provides support to anyone affected by cancer — patients and their friends and families. All services and programs, except for massage, are free. We serve these categories:
- Newly Diagnosed
- In Treatment
- Chronic & Advanced Disease
- After Treatment
- End of Life
- Children & Teens
- Young Adults
- Family & Friends
- Grief
Services
Our free programs and services can help you learn about cancer and manage the emotional challenges you may be experiencing:
- Supportive counseling and consultations on what to expect from cancer and treatment.
- Classes on healthy living, stress management, and more.
- Special guest speakers and conferences.
- Community presentations at businesses, universities, health fairs, and the like.
- Groups to connect you with other patients and families.
Our services include guidance on
- Medical needs: Oncology nurse navigators offer consultations on treatments, side effects, communicating with doctors, and much more.
- Emotional needs: Oncology therapists offer individual and family counseling and lead support groups.
Programs
We offer more than 50 programs each month at our welcoming Family Center in Fairfax, VA, and nearby locations in Falls Church, Fair Oaks, Leesburg, and Alexandria/Mt. Vernon. We are open weekdays and weeknights and occasionally on weekends.
Skilled professionals create and give our programs in these areas:
- Children/Teens/Parents
- Expressive Arts
- Fitness
- Life with Cancer en Espanol
- Mind/Body/Wellness
- Nutrition
- Workshops (variety of topics)
Explore our full program list.
Groups are led by caring, compassionate oncology therapists. They allow you to meet others like you and to give and receive support in a professionally guided group.
See our full list of groups.
You and the (Life with Cancer) Center lifted me up in ways I can’t describe; deeply personal and vital to my outcome. I couldn’t be going into this surgery any better positioned mentally and emotionally. For that a simple “thanks” seems so inadequate.
—Wife of Patient
If you are affected by cancer, we invite you to connect with us—whether you’re a patient, family member, or friend.
Learn about our programs, services, and groups.
ACCEPTS VIRTUAL CLIENTS
Life with Cancer Family Center
Main Office
8411 Pennell Street
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
703-206-5433 (LIFE)
Life with Cancer Connect
A direct link to your support team
703-206-5433 (LIFE)
[email protected]
Inova Schar Cancer Institute
571-472-4724
Find Out More
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