The Shades Of Pink support group offers women afflicted by cancer a chance to network. From left are member Debbie See, organizer Mary Anne Genco and member Anne Sischo. P-J photo by William Mohan

Shades of Pink members support each other.

More than just a regular support group, the group was founded to build a network that would allow people facing similar cancer battles to heal with, talk to and support one another.

Since 2015, a small group of women has been meeting every month to discuss how cancer has changed their lives.

Shades of Pink initially started when Mary Anne Genco was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2015. During her recovery efforts she attempted to find individuals with a similar background. Her goal was to find a group that would also offer a support network in addition to family and friends.

Genco cited the activities at Roswell Park in Buffalo. During her time at the facility Genco saw many activities ranging from yoga, dancing and support groups.

However, after her recovery and return home she found no activities in the city of Jamestown. After not finding anything Genco decided to organize a new support network in the city.

“I was not able to come in contact with anyone,” Genco said. “I decided to start my own group.”

From then on the group grew to nearly 10 members.

“We don’t keep track of how many members we have but we normally have five to 10 members at our meetings,” Genco said.

Genco credits her friend Anne Sischo with helping to begin the group. Sischo also had experience with beginning such organizations being a breast cancer survivor herself.

“I thought I had to do so much to get started, but Anne showed me that it was very easy,” Genco said.

The goal of the group is to help any person deal with their diagnosis regardless if they are recovering, have recovered or just beginning cancer treatment.

The name Shades of Pink came from a group run by Sischo at UPMC of Jamestown.

“We came up with the name because it’s female cancers but it doesn’t have to be breast cancer,” Genco explained.

The result is an extension of the organization at UPMC. Currently the group meets every month. Genco said she tries to get a speaker to discuss something relevant to cancer treatment. To that end, the group has hosted individuals in the field of mammography, nutrition, message therapy and similar topics.

Sischo said that the group has normally experienced more participation in October. She accredits this to the fact that October is national breast cancer awareness month.

“It (attendance) usually depends on the time of the year,” Sischo said.

Often, knowledge of the group is spread through word of mouth.

“I heard from a friend,” said member Debbie See.

“It allows us to talk personally and one on one,” Sischo said.

The next meeting will take place May 15 at 6 p.m. in the Legends Room on the second floor of the Northwest Arena. For more information call 484-7827. The Northwest Arena is located at 319 West Third St. in Jamestown.