Healing Circles Global

You don’t have to walk this path alone.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, are you:

• Performing strength to avoid making others uncomfortable?
• Keeping things to yourself because you don’t want to frighten the people you love most?
• Scheduling, attending, and coping with cancer treatments while also trying to maintain your job, household, parenting, or relationships?
• Suffering from decision fatigue related to treatment options, dietary changes, and lifestyle adjustments?
• Wondering “What now?” after treatment is over?
• Feeling lonely, even when you are surrounded by people?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, a healing circle may be right for you.

What’s a healing circle?

A healing circle is a peer-supported gathering in which people take turns listening and speaking without advice, interruption, or judgment. It creates the conditions for connection and the often-rare experience of being truly heard.

Why a healing circle?

Social and emotional connection is life-giving. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. surgeon general, released an advisory on the health benefits of social connection, in which he says, “Social connection is a fundamental human need, as essential to survival as food, water, and shelter.”

Who participates in HCG Living with Cancer circles?

HCG Living with Cancer circles welcome people who have been newly diagnosed, are beginning treatment, have been in treatment for some time, or are in the end stages of the disease.

How does a healing circle take place?

HCG Living with Cancer circles take place on Zoom, which enables people to participate from anywhere using a device and an internet connection.

What happens in a healing circle?

Circle members bear witness to the fullness of one another’s experience with cancer, including suffering and loss, creating space for each person to explore meaning in what they are living through.

The framework of healing circles is built on a foundation of agreements and practices. Together, these elements create “secular sanctuary,” which can foster personal healing.

Healing circles agreements

• We treat each other with kindness and respect.
• We listen with compassion and curiosity.
• We honor each other’s unique ways to healing and don’t presume to advise, fix, or save each other.
• What we share in circle is confidential.
• We trust that each of us has guidance we need within us, and we rely on the power of silence to access it.

Healing circles practices

• We listen with attention.
• We speak with intention.
• Sharing is voluntary — no one is called on to speak.
• We refrain from crosstalk, interruptions, comments, or referring by name back to another’s share.
• We speak from our own experience, using “I” statements, and leave time for others to share.

How do I register?

You can view all Living with Cancer circles and register for the one that works best for you on the Healing Circles Global website.

Is there a cost involved?

No, but if you are able, we invite you to make a tax-deductible donation to Healing Circles Global to help cover the cost of participating.