ABOVE: Tami Stegge, Marisa Voss and Darla Lytle inside the chapel at the Lutz Cancer Center at Mayo Clinic in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT– In an effort to provide patients with extra support, some staff at Mayo Clinic in Fairmont have started a new cancer support group that meets in the lobby of the Lutz Cancer Center.

The Lutz Cancer Center will turn six years old this summer, though Mayo in Fairmont had previously had a cancer center, though it was much smaller. Mayo in Fairmont also once had a cancer support group, but Covid changed that.

“During Covid the support group went virtual and we felt that there was a disconnect with patients. They weren’t getting the in-person feel of a support group and not many people took advantage of the online offering,” said Marisa Voss, a Registered Nurse. “We saw a need for this.”

The Lutz Cancer Center offers chemotherapy, antibiotic and hydration administration and other infusions. Daily it sees about 20 to 30 patients seeking these services, plus more patients come in to see their oncology provider.

With so many patients coming in to receive treatment, staff wanted to be able to provide for their other needs.

“We don’t want them to feel alone. They can make connections with other patients. That’s our goal,” said Darla Lytle, an oncology certified nurse.

The support group is intended for patients with all different kinds of cancer diagnosis and their caregivers. To start they’re meeting in the lobby of the Lutz Cancer Center.

“We’ll have guest speakers and every month there will be a new topic. We’ll also open it up so patients can share their stories,” Voss said.

Future guest speakers providing information on different relevant topics include a pharmacist, dietician, oncologist, social worker and physical therapist.

The meetings till be facilitated by a team of nurses that include Tami Stegge, Darla Lytle, Marisa Voss, Melissa Garry, Brenda Jones, Amanda Johnson and Mary Helgeson.

So far they’ve been letting people know about the group through word of mouth. The first meeting took place in February and while there’s weren’t many people in attendance, Lytle did say she witnessed two patients make a connection during it.

“They helped each other. It was nice to see,” Lytle said.

Registration is not required to attend and you don’t have to be receiving treatment from the Lutz Cancer Center to attend, either.

Oncology certified nurse Tami Stegge said their overall goal is, “to provide a safe space for patients to come together and support each other outside of doctors visits.”

Voss added, “Sometimes you get rushed places and don’t have time to decompress and have a safe space to talk.”

The group will meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be coming up on March 4. Those with questions can call 507-594-2929.