TCRC Email Support: TC-NET and TC-SUPPORTERS

The TCRC maintains two old-fashioned email support groups. Both are low-traffic and very bursty. You may join and see almost nothing for days or weeks. That does not mean nobody is there. Both lists still include longtime survivors and caregivers with a great deal of experience, and when someone introduces themselves or asks a question, people usually respond.

These lists work differently from Facebook groups, Reddit or web forums. They are not designed primarily for browsing through a stream of recent conversations. Messages come to you by email. Archives do exist, but the interface is dated and is not the main reason to join. The best way to use either list is to subscribe, introduce yourself, explain what is going on, and ask whatever you want to know.

You can receive messages individually or as a digest. Both groups are hosted by ACOR using LISTSERV.

TC-NET

TC-NET is the main TCRC email support group for people with testicular cancer or extragonadal germ cell tumors, survivors, caregivers, family members and others interested in the disease. It is the more active of the two lists, but "more active" is relative: there may be little or no traffic until someone starts a conversation. Questions about diagnosis, treatment, side effects and follow-up are common.

Do not wait for the list to come alive on its own. Once you join, introduce yourself, explain what is going on and ask your question. You do not need an unusual case or a complicated problem. The value of TC-NET is the experienced people who are still listening, not a constant stream of posts.

TC-SUPPORTERS

TC-SUPPORTERS is for partners, family members, friends and other caregivers. It is usually extremely quiet and may go long stretches with no messages at all. Experienced supporters remain subscribed, however, and a question or introduction can still bring people out to answer or compare experiences.

For practical advice about supporting someone with testicular cancer, see the Care for the Caregiver page.