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Spiritual support

​Spiritual support

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by

Percy McCray, Jr., Director of Faith-Based Programs

This page was reviewed on April 29, 2022.

For faith-based individuals, spiritual support may play a fundamental role in their treatment journey at City of Hope. Getting in touch with your spirituality may help you better cope with the psychological and emotional effects of cancer. If you express an interest in spiritual support services, they will be made available to you and your family members. At City of Hope, we reach across cultures, beliefs and religious backgrounds so that all patients, from any faith, may find the strength, motivation and inspiration they need during their cancer journey.

Our services

If you choose to integrate spiritual care into your cancer treatment, we offer a variety of services, including:

  • Individual and group prayer
  • Counseling with a pastor, clergy member or representatives from multiple faiths, including Judaism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses and others
  • Weekly interfaith worship and communion services, as well as Bible studies at participating hospital locations
  • Communication between our pastoral care team and your spiritual advisers at home, upon request
  • Individual and group opportunities for spiritual support
  • Telephone consultations
  • Assistance in scheduling ceremonies, sacraments and spiritually significant observances
  • Support and assistance in accommodating specific religious needs and restrictions, such as Kosher diets or beliefs that ban blood transfusions

Chaplains are also available for prayer before surgery and can meet with caregivers and family members at any time. In addition, some clinicians, including physicians and nurses, may choose to pray with patients as part of the care they provide.

Spiritual support services also are available to you any time you choose, even after you have completed your treatment and returned home.

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Our Journey of Hope

Our Journey of Hope® is a cancer care leadership immersion training program that delivers tips, training and tools designed to help clergy and church leaders better minister to the millions of Americans living with cancer. These resources also may help patients’ families, caregivers, friends and church families affected by this disease.

Learn more about Our Journey of Hope

Health, Hope & Inspiration

Listen each week to the Health, Hope & Inspiration podcast, sponsored by City of Hope, as the Rev. Percy McCray and guest doctors, clinicians and other experts share answers to questions about cancer, treatments, prevention and healthy living.

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Jennifer Thigpen

Jennifer T.

Breast Cancer

"City of Hope cared for me as a whole person. My doctors saw me, not just my disease. That approach gave room for all of me to be involved in my care, and I believe that made a great deal of difference in my outcome."

MORE ABOUT JENNIFER

More About JENNIFER