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.

Support Group Locations Map

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
New group forming!
First meeting: Sat. Oct 31, 2009, 40 E. 9th St. # 304, Chicago, IL. (Handicap Accessible building)
10:30 a.m.
Group Leader: Seth Reagen, sethnr@gmail.com
847-420-5208

Click here to RSVP

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee County Support Group
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday July 25, 2009, Saturday August 29, 2009, Saturday September 26, 2009, Saturday October 31, 2009.
Riverside Medical Center, 350 N. Wall St., Kankakee, IL  60901
Support Group Leader: Lisa Somers, 815-933-0993, prinprin76@sbcglobal.net

Special speaking event Oct. 10

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
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Sept. 12, and Nov. 14, 2009
All meetings except Walk
Goshen Public Library, 601 S. 5th St.
Goshen, IN. 46526
(574) 533-9531. Meetings are held downstairs in Room A/B. (See directions).
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
August 1, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 2009
10 a.m.–12 p.m. first Saturday of each month
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 4 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
2:00-3:00 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. Call or e-mail Sandi Walter support leader 262-338-0980 or sandi_wb@mac.com.
Support Group Leader: Sandra Walter, 262-338-0980, southeasternwi@scleroderma.org