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The Center for Chronic Illness is a national nonprofit organization serving patients and their loved ones across the United States and in a number of other countries. Our mission is to promote well-being and decrease isolation for those impacted by chronic illness through support and education. CCI focuses on three main pillars in providing support and education to the chronic illness community: Emotional Well-being, Health Education, and Community.

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Emotional Well-Being

CCI recognizes that many emotions come up as a normal reaction to being diagnosed with and living with a chronic illness AND that sometimes people need support for these reactions. Chronic illness brings about various types of loss, such as loss of body functioning, the loss of a sense of self, and the loss of what you thought your life was going to be like. Many with chronic illness also experience depression and anxiety, as well as complications from other pre-existing health and mental health challenges. Some illnesses are ongoing, while others come with flareups and periods of remission. This latter dynamic leads to many unknowns and uncertainties about both the illness and life moving forward.

 

CCI supports those living with chronic illness by offering services that deal with these various areas of coping. Through depression, anxiety, and loss specific programs, participants can focus on different areas related to their coping and illness, improving their overall emotional well-being. Our support groups foster deep relationships among participants, while our educational programs teach skills on important topics such as maintaining healthy relationships while living with chronic illness or improving communication with your healthcare team.

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Health Education

CCI's health education events provide community-based programs focused on different health related topics. Our programs include, but are not limited to: symptom coping, exercise, nutrition and complimentary and alternative medicine, and meditation and mindfulness. Through these programs we encourage participants to take an active role in the various ways they manage their health, in order to improve their overall quality of life. Presentations such as how to apply for social security disability or accessing community resources also help to increase awareness around the various ways illness can impact your life and how to get help.

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Community

Living with chronic illness can impact many areas of life and the effects can leave individuals isolated and alone. CCI's educational programs and support groups strive to fight these struggles by bringing those together who are living with different kinds of illness and have similar interests and concerns. Our educational events invite opportunities for learning and socialization, while our support groups build deeper connections through sharing of personal stories and experiences. Instead of having one central location, our programs are based out in community spaces to encourage relationship building within smaller communities as well.