St. Dominic Comprehensive Cancer Program

Camp Bluebird is a three-day, two-night camp for cancer patients and survivors ages 18 and older, sponsored by St. Dominic Cancer Center. The camp is for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer whether under treatment, just finished treatment or cancer free for years.

Camp Bluebird is a nationwide organization. There are currently three other camps in Mississippi located in Hattiesburg, Tupelo and Ocean Springs. St. Dominic’s is the first to sponsor a Camp Bluebird in the central Mississippi area. Two camp sessions are offered each year, one in early summer and the second in fall.

The weekend offers a time for listening and learning. It is designed to help reduce the isolation felt by many cancer patients. It is a time for being with friends, and a time for caring and sharing. Activities are provided for the entire weekend and campers take time to share with one another. Campers can help each other through this difficult time.

Campers gain a better understanding of their non-medical needs and learn coping strategies from others who have made lifestyle adjustments through living with cancer. Camp Bluebird offers creative outlets through recreational activities, music, singing, dancing, games, and arts and crafts. Campers and volunteers alike receive a full dose of fellowship, fun and much, much more.

St. Dominic’s Cancer Center is proud to sponsor this not-for-profit program to enrich the lives of cancer survivors. All meals, snacks and lodging are provided. Accommodations are dorm-like, and Camp Bluebird can accept only a limited number of campers; so, if you are interested, apply early.

If you have questions or need an application to be sent to you, please contact Peggy Stansell, Camp Bluebird coordinator, at (601) 200-3070.

There are many publications available in our Resource Room, which is located on the first floor of St. Dominic’s Cancer Center.

Call the Resource Room at (601) 200-3070.

Our registered dietitian is available to develop individualized nutrition strategies to make mealtime a pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable time while incorporating high-calorie, high-protein dietary selections. We strongly encourage family members to participate in the patient’s nutrition counseling.

Our social worker provides educational programs, information resources, counseling and a host of other services that can help cancer patients and their families learn to adapt to the changes in their lives. It is important that our patients be aware of community resources, receive financial counseling when needed, and have access to home care planning. Our social worker works exclusively with cancer patients and their families to help find the strength to face the challenges cancer can bring.

Pastoral Care is provided to help individuals strengthen their own spirituality and deepen their faith. The Pastoral Care staff may not cure your illness, but they can help to heal the hurts of your heart. Our pastoral care representative comes as a friend during a difficult time of life and can contribute to your overall well-being and recovery.

To find out more, call (601) 200-6768.

St. Dominic’s offers various types of clinical trials, which include quality of life and treatment and translational research trials (studying of tumor tissue and blood to learn causes and treatments of gynecologic cancer).

Paul Seago, MD, and Christy Walters-Haygood, MD, serve as principal investigators for Gynecologic Oncology clinical trials at St. Dominic’s.

Benefits of clinical trials include:

• Participants have access to promising new approaches often not available outside a clinical trial setting
• The approach being studied may be more effective than the standard approach
• Participants receive regular and careful medical attention from a research team that includes doctors and other health professionals
• Participants may be the first to benefit from the new method under study
• Results from the study may help others in the future

To find out more, call (601) 200-3300.

This cancer boutique is the first of its kind in the area. The boutique is committed to the community of cancer and breast cancer patients with a remarkably tranquil area for all their prosthesis, garment and personal care needs. Patients are fitted by our certified mastectomy fitter in a spacious private room for their comfort.

The boutique carries a large assortment of:

• Post-surgical garments
• Lymphedema sleeves
• Products for radiation and chemotherapy relief, including hats, scarves, skincare and queasy drops
• Mastectomy bras
• Mastectomy breast forms
• Mastectomy swimsuits (special order)
• Non-mastectomy bras
• Gift items

The boutique is located on the first floor of the main hospital, across from the Laboratory. Its address is 969 Lakeland Drive, and hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Call (601) 200-5111.

Located on the Lower Level in Education, this center is available for you to research a medical condition affecting you or your family member. Our reference collection includes online health/internet information programs, videos, audio tapes, reference books, journals and newsletters. Health-related books, videos and audio tapes are loaned for two-week periods. You can visit the Center or call in a request. Hours of operation vary.

To find out more, call (601) 200-6944.

St. Dominic’s is proud to be a partner with The Hope Conference, which is an annual event for the Jackson area. The Hope Conference is held each year on the first Saturday in March at First Baptist Church of Jackson in the Christian Life Center.

Free to the public, this conference is a community education event for cancer patients, survivors, family, friends, caregivers and health care providers.

The Hope Conference features presentations and breakout sessions by cancer specialists, medical experts, allied health professionals and survivors.

Participants will learn more about local resources, share their own stories, and celebrate the joy of living.

A free celebratory luncheon is included in the day’s events.

For more information, please call St. Dominic Cancer Services at (601) 200-3300.

St. Dominic’s Hospice Program is coordinated by a hospice liaison who works in our Care Management Department and provides information about hospice care to referred patients and coordinates referrals to hospice agencies.

For more information, call (601) 200-6768.

St. Dominic’s Oncology Navigators are nurses who are available to help cancer patients and their loved ones on the journey from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The Navigator provides individualized support and information tailored to patients.

The Oncology Navigator will:

• Guide patients and their loved ones through the healthcare system
• Help fill out all necessary forms
• Refer to healthcare services for further diagnosis and treatment
• Locate local resources and support services
• Answer questions and provide additional information

For more information, call (601) 200-3300.

It is our mission to make a difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones facing serious, progressive or life-threatening illness by decreasing physical, emotional, spiritual and psychosocial suffering and increasing quality of life. Being hospitalized with a serious, progressive illness or life-threatening illness can often be difficult and confusing. You and your family may have questions about your illness and the choices you must make.

At St. Dominic Hospital, we have a special team to help you and your loved ones during this time. Our Palliative Care Team will work together with your physicians to address your physical, emotional or spiritual needs during this challenging time in your hospital stay. We are committed to providing excellent palliative care to you – whether you have just been diagnosed, are in active treatment, have completed therapy or are facing end-of-life concerns. Our team partners with your physician as an additional layer of support, especially in complex cases.

Team members include:

• Physician Medical Director
• Program Manager
• Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
• RN Coordinator
• Social Worker
• Pastoral Care
• Pharmacist liaison
• Other health care providers as appropriate.

To learn more about Palliative Care click here or call (601) 200-5900.

The St. Dominic Cancer Center has a wig program for women who are in need of wigs and head coverings due to illness or medically induced side effects. Our program offers resources to obtain wigs at no charge from the American Cancer Society. In addition, we have wigs, scarves and turbans on site that are donated to the Cancer Center from volunteers, salons and former patients. The wig room is conveniently located on the first floor of the Cancer Center.

For more information, call (601) 200-3070.