Support Groups provide a forum to share feelings, concerns, information, and as well as a place to offer peer support and encouragement. Solicitations or research projects are not conducted at support group meetings.

Support groups often feature speakers specializing in scleroderma or related topics. To find out information about upcoming speakers or meeting topics, please contact the support group leader or chapter office (800) 867-0885.

This schedule is subject to change. Before attending a group for the first time, please call to verify date and time. Groups are free of charge and open to everyone.

Connecticut

Hartford, Conn.

Hartford Support Group
2–4 p.m., the second Saturday of every other month, unless otherwise noted. 2011 meetings: February 12, April 9, June 11, July 9, September 10 and November 12
Meet at University of Conn. Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, Main hospital, 1st floor, near cafeteria. Map and Directions
Support Group Leader: Sharon LeDue, (860) 253-0345, hartford@scleroderma.org
Asst. Support Group Leader: Teri Beebe, (860) 741-5028, tcb114@sbcglobal.net
Group brochure.

Stamford, Conn.

Stamford Connecticut Support
1–3 p.m., the 4th Saturday of January-April and August-October. 2011 meetings: January 22, February 26, March 26, April 30, August 27, September 24 and October 22
Meet at Tully Health Center, 32 Strawberry Hill Court, Suite A or B, Stamford, CT. Map and directions
Support Group Leaders: Pat and Peter Gerardi, (203) 357-1489, stamford@scleroderma.org. Group brochure.

New Jersey

Dover, N.J.

Northern New Jersey Support Group
7 p.m., Wednesday as noted. 2011 meetings: March 8, May 10, September 13, and November 8
Meet at St. Clare’s Hospital,  400 West Blackwell Street, Dover, N.J. Maps and Directions.
Support Group Leader: Kitsa Jobeless at (973) 328-2627, northernnj@scleroderma.org. Group brochure.

Hackensack, N.J.

Hackensack, N.J. Support Group
2011 meetings: April 9 and November 12
Meet on April 9 at the Hackensack Medical Center and November 12 at a site TBD.
Support Group Leader: Emily Chillino, (201) 488-7172, hackensack@scleroderma.org
Asst. Support Group Leader: Jan Gnall (973) 588-7422

New York

Albany, N.Y.

Albany/Capital District, N.Y. Support Group
2–4 p.m., the 3rd Saturday of each month (except January, July, August and December). 2011 meetings: February 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, September 17, October 15, November 19.
Meet at Sunnyview Hospital, 1270 Belmont Avenue, Schenectady, NY. Light refreshments will be served. See map and directions. Please call for more information.
Support Group Leader: June Bender, (518) 360-9940, albany@scleroderma.orgAsst. Support Group Leader: Maria Lawton, (518) 283-0646. Group brochure.

Binghamton, N.Y.

Binghamton/Southern Tier Support Group
6:30 p.m., the first Thursday of every even month. 2011 meetings: June 2, August 4, October 6, and December 1 (holiday party)
Meet at Lourdes Hospital, 169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY. Call for more information. See map and directions.
Support Group Leader: Bianca Podesta, (607) 723-1658, binghamton@scleroderma.org. Assistant Leader:  Rosemary Markoff, (607) 723-5906 Group brochure.

Buffalo, N.Y.

Buffalo Support Group
2011 meetings: Third Saturday of the month (except June, July, August). 2011 schedule: January 15, February 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17. Please call for meeting locations and times.
Support Group Leader: Matt Turcotte, (716) 998-1480, buffalo@scleroderma.org Group brochure.

Central N.Y.

Central N.Y. Support Group

Cooperstown, N.Y.

Cooperstown Support Group
9 a.m., the second Saturday of the month (except June). 2011 meetings: January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 5 (Sunday-Binghamton Walk), September 10, October 8, November 12 and December 10
Meet at Doubleday Cafe, 93 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY. or Bassett Healthcare Fieldstone Bldg., One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, New York. Please call for location and meeting topic.
Support Group Leaders: Betzi Sheff, (607) 638-9512, cooperstown@scleroderma.org, and Marilyn Waterhouse, (607) 432-7115. Group brochure.

Long Island, N.Y.

Long Island Support Group
10 a.m. the 3rd Saturday of odd months. 2011 meetings: March 19, May 21, July 16, Sept 17, Nov 19.
Meet at Southside Hospital, 301 East Main St., Bayshore, NY. Enter Main Entrance, proceed to 5th Floor Tower (5T). Telephone number of hospital is (631) 968-3314. See map.
Support Group Leader: Beatriz Nunez (habla espanol), (631) 940-7110, longisland@scleroderma.org. Group brochure.

Spanish: Beatriz Nunez, 631-940-7110, longisland@scleroderma.org

New York City, N.Y.

New York City Support Group
6 p.m. the 1st Wednesday of the month. 2011 meetings: May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2
Meet at Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, Main Hospital-2nd floor. Map and Directions. Please call for meeting date and topic.
Support Group Leaders: Waveney Golbourne, (516) 997-0022 or (516) 384-1340, nyc@scleroderma.org and Chanell Gatewood, (212) 283-3224 or (917) 825-6212. Group brochure.

Warwick, N.Y.

Orange County Support Group
10 a.m., usually the fourth Saturday of each month (no meeting December). 2011 meetings: April 23, May 21, June 25, July 16, August 27, September 24, October 22 and November 5
Meet at Mt. Alverno, 20 Grand Street, Warwick, NY. See Yahoo.com directions. Please call one of the numbers listed below before making the trip, to make sure the meeting has not been cancelled.
Support Group Leaders: Fran Batz, (845) 986-4451, orangecounty@scleroderma.org, and June Bisel, (845) 294-3865. Group brochure.

Rochester, N.Y.

Rochester Support Group
1 p.m.-3 p.m. 2011 meetings: March 12, May 14, September 10 and November 12.
Perkins Restaurant (3/12/11)only, or the University of Rochester Strong Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY. Call for location. See map and directions. Meetings are free and open to the public.
Support Group Leaders: Dorothy O'Brien, (585) 234-0398, rochester@scleroderma.org, and Marilyn Sibley, (585) 723-1026, marilynsibley@yahoo.com. Group brochure.

Medusa, N.Y.

Southwestern Albany County Support Group
2 p.m. the first Saturday of the month. 2011 meetings: schedule TBD
We meet at the Medusa Fire Department, CR 351, Medusa, NY. Please call for meeting date and topic. All are welcome! Directions.
Support Group Leader: Charlotte Berkner, (518) 239-6907, swalbany@scleroderma.org. Assistant Leader: Denise Payne, (519) 947-9336 Group brochure.

Westchester, N.Y.

Westchester and Poughkeepsie Support Groups
We are looking for a new group leaders. If you are interested, please contact the Tri-State Chapter (800) 867-0885 or mbbkadylak@scleroderma.org