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.

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.

Support Group Blog

Bluefingers is a blog devoted to living with Scleroderma, a progressive autoimmune disease that does not have a cure. I hope to educate people about the disease and provide hope for those who are living with the disease.

Log on to http://bluefingers.wordpress.com/ and read and participate in Dr. Lexa Walsh's Blog.

Dr. Walsh is a pediatrician, the mother of a young son and a scleroderma patient.

The Scleroderma Foundation also has a blog/message board via Inspire.com. Log on now and chat with your friends or make new ones!

Support Group Locations Map

Danville, Illinois

East Central Illinois Scleroderma Support Group. 

Meetings start at 6:30p.m. at Danville Public Library First floor. We will meet the last Tuesday of each month, except June and December. Next meeting June 22, 2010.
Call Carrie for more information.
Support Group Leader: Carrie Garlick, 217-304-8969, ecil_scleroderma_supgrp@yahoo.com

Highwood, Illinois

Phone/Email Support: Shirl Halpern, 847-432-3198, starkohalpern@comcast.net

Illiopolis, Illinois

Central Illinois Support Group
Meeting Place:Illiopolis, Illinois Library, 6th and Mary St. Map and directions.
Group Leader: Debbie Deaton, 217-720-2327, sclerodermasupport@comcast.net
Please call or e-mail Debbie for further meeting information and times for meetings.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Support Group
40 E. 9th St. # 304, Chicago, IL. (Handicap Accessible building)
11:00 a.m. Next Meeting Sat., July 24. You're invited! Please RSVP here.
Group Leader: Seth Reagen, sethnr@gmail.com, 847-420-5208.

Chicago North Support Group
Meetings are held the last Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m.   
6145 N. Sheridan, 15A, Chicago IL 60660. Map and directions The 147 bus stops in front of the location and the Red-line is one block away. #136 Sheridan/LaSalle Express #147 Outer Drive Express #151 Sheridan. Elevator access.
Support Group Leader: Chris Jimenez, 312-480-1728, christinejimenez0@gmail.com

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee County Support Group
We are having a family day picnic on July 24, 2010 instead of our regular meeting. RSVP to Lisa at prinprin76@comcast.net.
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Meetings held the Last Saturday of each month except Memorial Day Weekend in 2010.
Riverside Medical Center, 350 N. Wall St., Kankakee, IL  60901
Support Group Leader: Lisa Somers, 815-933-0993, prinprin76@comcast.net

Oak Park, Illinois

Scleroderma Support Group of Western Suburbs
10 a.m. the third Saturday of each month
Our meetings are held at West Suburban Hospital, One Erie Court., Oak Park, Ill. See map and directions. Please check at the information desk for room location. There is FREE parking in the garage. At our meetings, we give and receive support from one another.
Contact: Monica Geary, 708-386-7198, westernsuburbsil@scleroderma.org
Pauline Geary 708-362-0350,email psgeary@yahoo.com
Support Group Leaders: Pauline Geary and Natalie Nemeth

Peru, Illinois

Illinois Valley Support Group
Support Group Leader: Lynn Schmidt, 815-539-5897 illinoisvalley@scleroderma.org

Goshen, Indiana

Northern Indiana Support Group
Meetings for 2010
Thurs., Aug. 12 - Thursday, August 12th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at:
Panera Bread, 4536 Elkhart Road, Goshen, (574) 875-0302
(near the Meijer store on US33).
Fri., Oct. 15 - Topic and meeting place TBD.
Northern Indiana Disability Advocacy Network, Inc. (NI-DAN)
Support Group Leader: Janine Capon, 574-536-8274, northernindiana@scleroderma.org

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Lake Geneva Support Group
10 a.m.–12 p.m. first Saturday of each month (except July and September)
We meet at Aurora Health Center in Lake Geneva, 136 E. Geneva Square.
At the stop lights in Lake Geneva at Min and Broad go north for 1.5 miles until you come to the next stop light. Turn right into the little mall area and go all the way to the end of the mall area. It is only about four blocks long. The Aurora Health center is very well labeled. Go through the front double doors and turn to your right. There is a little waiting area there, go through the door. If you have any questions, please call me. Family members are welcome!
Support Group Leader: Shari Lundberg, 262-245-6212, lundbergs53191@hotmail.com

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Northeast Wisconsin Scleroderma Support Group
2–3 p.m., Harmony Cafe - 1660 W Mason St, Green Bay Map and directions
Support Group Leader: Jackie Means, sclerodermawi@yahoo.com, 920-469-7623

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Area Phone Support Group
No formal meetings. Telephone support with group members. Share your concerns or just looking for information we hope we can support you in your struggle with scleroderma.
Support Group Leader: Sandra Walter, 262-338-0980, southeasternwi@scleroderma.org