Support Groups

About Support Groups
Support Groups provide resources, information and a sympathetic ear to those who have been affected by lupus.

If you would like to start a support group in your area, please contact Sonya, Health Promotion Manager, at 312-542-0002 or via email at sonya@lupusil.org.

All support groups are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

This page is seperated into 4 sections:

New Support Groups
Ongoing Support Groups
Spanish Language Support Groups
Support Opportunities (potential new groups, etc.)

Please Note: Meetings occasionally change due to extenuating circumstances, so if you are new to a group or have been away from meetings for a period of time, contact the LFAI's Health Promotion Manager, Sonya Loynachan (sonya@lupusil.org or (312) 542-0004) prior to the meeting date to avoid disappointment.

New Groups!

Bloomington
903 E. Croxton Ave., Ste. 1, Bloomington; IL 61701
First Meeting: Tuesday, November 6, 2012
6:00pm
Support Group Leader: Tara Curtis

Chicago - Casa Michoacan - ¡Nuevo grupo de apoyo para pacientes con lupus en Pilsen!
1638 S. Blue Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Primera reunion:
Viernes el 18 de enero 2013 - El grupo se reúne el tercer viernes del mes
Hora: 5:00pm
Líder: Karen Mancera-Cuevas MS, CHES
Para más información por favor comunicase con Karen (312) 503-0251 /
k-mancera-cuevas@northwestern.edu

Chicago - Northwestern Memorial Hospital
675 N. St. Clair St., Galter Pavilion; 14th Floor - Rheumatology Dept
Ask at front desk for support group meeting, Latasha will direct you
Next Meeting Mar. 5, 2013 (1st Tuesday of every month) 12:00pm-1:30pm
Support Group Leader: Lena Lopez

Decatur
St. Patrick's Parish; 407 E. Eldorado, Decatur, IL
2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
6:30pm-8:30pm
Support Group Leader: Alma Grason

Glenview
Glenview Public Library; 1930 Glenview Rd.; Glenview, IL 60025
First Meeting: Saturday, 2013: Jan. 26, Feb 9 & 23, March 2,16,& 30, April 6 & 20, May 4 & 18, June 1, 15 & 29
12:00pm-2:00pm

Rockford
Swedish American Hospital; 1401 East State Street; 4th Floor; Rockford, IL 61104
2nd Saturday of the month, unless a holiday then 3rd Saturday of the month.
11:30 AM
Contact:Shaunda Anderson or Myla Meeks

Waukegan
Gideon Missionary Baptist Church; 1500 Ridgeland Avenue; Waukegan, IL 60085
2nd Tuesday of the month.
6:30PM - 8:30PM

North Shore Support Group
Winnetka Public Library; 768 Oak St.; Winnetka, IL 60093
Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - Group will meet the second Wednesday of each month
7:00pm-8:30pm
Support Group Leader: Kyra Miller

Ongoing Support Groups

Bartlett
Hanover Township, Town Hall; 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett, IL
Last Tuesday of the month
6:30pm
Co-Leader: Maureen Faille
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003131893591
Twitter: renaibeth
Co-Leader: Brenda Mrugacz

Belleville
Memorial Hospital; 4500 Memorial Drive; Auditorium Area - Basement
3rd Tuesday of the Month
7:00-8:30pm
Please call LFA St. Louis Chapter - 1-800-958-7876

Chicago -Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street
3rd Saturday of the month
2:00pm
Leader: Robertha McNeil

Chicago - "Living Life" with Lupus Support Group
6320 Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL. 60637
1st Saturday of the month
12:00pm-2:00pm

Hazel Crest
South Suburban Hospital, Dining Room 1; 17800 S. Kedzie Avenue; Hazel Crest, IL
3rd Saturday of the month September through June
10:00AM -12:00PM
Facilitator: Kanefus Walker

Joliet
Provena Physical Rehab & Sports Injury Center (in Marycrest Plaza)
2132 Jefferson St., Joliet, IL
6:15pm-8:00pm
Meeting dates for 2013 will be on the 4th Wednesdays of odd months(except Dec): 1/23, 3/27, 5/22, 7/24, 9/25, and 12/4.
Leader: Tari Ambler, Co-leader: Charlene Thigpen

Marion - Southern Illinois
Heartland Regional Medical Center: Conference Rm 2; 3333 West DeYoung (Route 13), Marion, IL
September thru May; monthly
6:30pm - Call leader for date
Leader: Karen Brown

Monmouth- Lupus Lupies of West Central Illinois
Warren County Public Library; 62 Public Square; Monmouth, IL 61462-1756
1st Thursday of the month
12:30pm-2:30pm
Co-Leaders: Lori Hull
Annette Clark:
The group will offer a weekly coffee rap session. Location and time will be determined by group members.

Naperville
Lunchroom, Naperville Municipal Center; 400 South Eagle Street; Naperville,
2013 Naperville Lupus Support Group Meeting Dates!
January 7; February 5; March 4; April 10; May 7; June 3; July…..Summer BBQ, Date to be determined!
August 9, September 9, October 9, November 13, December….Holiday Gathering, Date to be determined!
7:00pm-9:00 pm
Co-Leader:Julie Folger
Co-Leader:Cindy Guerino

Oak Park
Oak Park Public Library; 834 Lake St., Oak Park
Monthly on Sundays (contact leader for date)
Leader: Renee Estese

Palatine Support Group
Meets Monthly Contact leader for meeting date/location, varies from month to month
Leader:Lori Mierzwa
Group Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/179736108790115/

Peoria/Pekin
Soderstrom Dermatology Center Annex; 4909 N. Glen Park Place
1st Monday of the month
6:00-8:00pm (doors open at 5:30)
Leader: Jan Hornback

Wheaton
Central DuPage Medical Building. 7 Blanchard Circle, Wheaton
2nd Thursday of the month, except Jan. and June thru Aug. Holiday meeting in December. Leaders: Mary Gold and Christine Mooney

Spanish Language Groups

Grupo Hispano de Apoyo-Oeste de Chicago
Norwegian American Hospital
1044 N. Francisco Ave., Entrada principal
El grupo se reúne el cuarto sabado del mes
Próxima reunión: sábado el 23 del marzo Hora: 11:30am-12:30pm
Lider: Maria Robles

Grupo Hispano de Apoyo-Sur de Chicago
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dr. Martin Luther
5344 S. Francisco Ave., Chicago, IL 60632
El grupo se reúne mensual el sábado
11:00am-12:30pm
Lider: Maria Gallardo

Support Opportunities

The LFAI offers support services especially for men with lupus!
If you are a man living with lupus and would like to benefit from the support of other men with lupus, please call Sonya at the LFAI office who will fill you in on this new opportunity. Contact Sonya at 312-542-0002 or email Sonya@lupusil.org.

Support Group Starting at the University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana Campus!
The LFAI is in the process of starting a Support Group at the University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana Campus. If you are interested in participating in the group, contact Sonya Loynachan at sonya@lupusil.org or call (312) 542-0004.

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