ORLAND PARK, Ill. — October 31, 2025 —Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources is proud to announce its expansion to the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute in Orland Park, increasing access to supportive care services for individuals affected by cancer.

For more than 20 years, Living Well has been a beacon of hope, resilience, and community for tens of thousands of survivors, caregivers, and families. Over the past two decades, Living Well has grown from a small grassroots initiative to a nationally recognized endeavor, with locations in Geneva and Warrenville and the new satellite location in Orland Park.

Living Well offers a wide range of services including counseling and social work services; support groups; fitness, yoga, art and nutrition classes; medical presentations and a wig boutique. All programs are offered at no cost to those diagnosed with cancer and their families.

“The directors of the St. George Foundation have long realized the critical importance of supporting southwestern Chicago and the surrounding regional communities with advanced, academic level cancer care,” said Terrence Moisan, MD, president of the St. George Foundation. “This resource advances the entire spectrum of care from prevention through diagnosis, treatment and long-term support.”

“Cancer care isn’t just about medicine—it’s about healing the whole person. At the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute, we’ve created a space where patients can find strength through movement, expression through art, and connection through community,” said Timothy Kuzel, MD, medical director for oncology at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital. “These supportive services are more than amenities. They’re lifelines that help people rediscover joy and resilience during one of the hardest journeys of their lives.”

Making an Impact

Amber Commodore turned to Living Well Cancer Resources after her breast cancer diagnosis in December 2024. The assistant principal who lives in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood started attending some of the virtual breast cancer support meetings to help her navigate her unexpected diagnosis.

“Talking with others who are on the same path has helped me process all the new information and emotions I’m experiencing,” Commodore said.

Living on the south side of Chicago, Commodore chose to undergo her treatments at the St. George Cancer Institute in Orland Park because she says it is a convenient location with ample parking and incredible staff.

“I’m so excited that Living Well Cancer Resources is expanding its programming so I can attend some of the other offerings when I begin my radiation treatments in November,” Commodore said.

DeShunn Bray is also eager to experience more of Living Well’s programming in Orland Park. Bray was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2025. During her weekly chemotherapy infusions, Bray took advantage of hand massage services.

“Those sessions were just everything,” Bray said. “They really helped with my neuropathy and there is nothing like the comfort the human touch provides during a challenging time.”

Bray also attended a Beautiful You Workshop, which included tips for those experiencing hair loss.

“I felt comfort being in a room with other women who looked like me, even if we are in different stages of our journeys,” Bray said.

Expanded Offerings in Orland Park

Services available at the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute include:

• ·      Designated Wig Boutique — Living Well offers individual consultations to choose a wig, which is available at no cost to patients diagnosed with cancer. Since May 2025, 60 wigs have been distributed at the St. George Cancer Institute.

• ·      Exercise Consultations — Offered the second Friday of each month, Living Well’s Wellness Coordinator works with patients to develop a personalized exercise plan for cancer survivors during and after treatment.

• ·      Fitness Classes, including several of Living Well’s most popular and sought-after fitness classes — Tai Chi: Meditation in Motion and Chair Yoga. Chair Fitness for Lymphedema and Neuropathy classes will begin in January 2026, with additional sessions planned for summer 2026

• ·      Chairside Visits — Popular with patients undergoing treatment, trained professionals offer hand massages or a small art project in the infusion area

• ·      Art Therapy Classes — Available on a pop-up basis, will expand to monthly offerings in 2026

• ·      Beautiful You Workshops — For anyone experiencing hair loss from cancer treatment, patients will learn care techniques for scalp & hair regrowth, makeup lessons and how to accessorize with scarves and hats.

• ·      A respite area featuring an art table with puzzles and coloring pages for stress relief

About the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute

Anchored by Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute provides patients and their families advanced care at all cancer stages, from early diagnosis through treatment and aftercare.

From diagnostic imaging to treatment and survivorship, patients can access leading-edge cancer care without traveling to Chicago, including:

• ·      Supportive Oncology service provided by Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources

• ·      State-of-the-art infusion center, featuring private chemotherapy rooms

• ·      An on-site infusion pharmacy and lab

• ·      Radiation Oncology on site with access to proton therapy at Warrenville location

• ·      PET/CT/MRI imaging on site

About Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources

Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year. Founded on September 1, 2005, Living Well offers dozens of programs to help patients and caregivers navigate a cancer diagnosis.

With a goal of ensuring no one faces cancer alone, Living Well Cancer Resources has touched countless lives with compassion and care.

“In the cancer clinic, there often isn’t time to address all the holistic needs of cancer patients. Living Well more than fills that gap, providing patients and families with practical tools that improve well-being,” said Christopher George, MD, medical director of oncology.  

For more information about Living Well Cancer Resources, including the current program guide, visit nm.org.

GENEVA, Ill. — September 2, 2025 — Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources, a center dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by cancer, proudly marks its 20^th anniversary in September.

Since its founding in 2005, Living Well has been a beacon of hope, resilience, and community for tens of thousands of survivors, caregivers, and families. Over the past two decades, Living Well has grown from a small grassroots initiative to a nationally recognized endeavor, with two locations in Geneva and Warrenville, and a satellite location in Orland Park, opening this fall.

Living Well offers a wide range of services including counseling and social work services; support groups; fitness, yoga, art and nutrition classes; medical presentations and a wig boutique. All programs are offered at no cost to those diagnosed and their families.

“This milestone is a testament to the strength of our community and the unwavering commitment of our volunteers, staff, and supporters,” said Candy Domke-Hochberg, operations administrator, Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources. “We are honored to have walked alongside so many individuals on their cancer journeys and remain dedicated to providing hope and healing for years to come.”

“Support from Living Well has been enormously helpful to my patients,” said Christopher George, MD, medical director of oncology. “In the cancer clinic, there often isn’t time to address all the holistic needs of cancer patients. Living Well more than fills that gap, providing patients and families with practical tools that improve well-being.”

Inspiring those with cancer to live well

When Living Well first opened on September 1, 2005, its mission was to instill people living with cancer with knowledge, optimism and the inspiration to live well.

That mission statement came directly from the experiences of the Living Well founders, Fred Dornbach, Joanne Hansen, Susan Lyons and Terry Murphy.

Joanne Hansen was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1984, at the age of 44. Drawing from her own experience, she recognized the need to pull support services for cancer patients and their families under one roof.

“You can’t go through a cancer journey alone. Often your spouse and loved ones don’t understand and, truthfully, your spouse and your family need support as well, which is why creating Living Well was so important to me,” Hansen said.

Terry Murphy, another co-founder, believed in the project after witnessing his wife, Rosemary “Posey” Murphy, live with breast cancer for 12 years before passing away in 2003.

He watched Posey work to find resources to help manage the side effects of chemotherapy through diet and nutrition, exercise classes to help improve stamina, counseling services for Terry and their children, and rehabilitation therapy services to help her move when her body began to fail.

“Our aspirations were to be able to make these services available in the Fox Valley area. That's what our original charter said,” Murphy said. “The fact that we're able to look at all of Northern Illinois and say that our footprint encompasses all of that, that exceeds my wildest dreams.”

“After 20 years, the enthusiasm for Living Well is still so great. So many people believe in the mission. I often say it is more than I dreamed of and all that I hoped for,” Hansen said.

Living Well expands its reach

The mission continued when Living Well programs became part of Northwestern Medicine in 2012. With a goal of ensuring no one faces cancer alone, Living Well Cancer Resources has touched countless lives with compassion and care. 

Through virtual and in-person offerings, Living Well has supported people living in 287 counties across the United States and in countries around the world.

Celebrating 20 years of Living Well

To commemorate the 20^th anniversary of Living Well, a celebration will be held at the Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5k on October 11, 2025. The event is an opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors with a 5k run and 1-mile walk, followed by a family-friends festival.

Net proceeds from the event will go toward the educational and clinical support programs and services provided by Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources. Registration information can be found here.

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