Our volunteer-led support groups enable individuals with scleroderma to meet and exchange information with others who face similar challenges. All Support Group Leaders are trained by our partners at SPIN (Scleroderma Patient-centered Network). Support groups often feature speakers specializing in scleroderma or related topics.
PLEASE NOTE: Some support groups are only meeting virtually. Please contact the Support Group Leader for updates.
We currently have Support Groups located in the following communities:
California: Antelope Valley/Lancaster, Bakersfield/Kern County, Camarillo/Ventura County, Central Coast, Fresno, Imperial County/El Centro, Inland Empire/San Bernardino, Los Angeles/South Bay, Los Angeles County/San Gabriel Valley, Monterey Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage, Palo Alto, Sacramento, San Diego/Encinitas, San Diego/Mission Valley, San Fernando Valley/Sherman Oaks, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa.
Hawaii: Honolulu and Maui
Nevada: Las Vegas
Arizona: Prescott
Other:
- Young Adults Living with Scleroderma (Ages 17 - 30's)
- Parents of Children and Teens Living with Scleroderma.
- Spanish Speaking Scleroderma Support Group
SUPPORT GROUP CONTACTS AND MEETING SCHEDULE
Young Adult Support Group (Ages 17 - 30's)
Meeting in-person and virtually, alternating every other month. (Contact leaders for zoom link)
Location: Office of the Scleroderma Foundation of California
8929 S Sepulveda #401
Los Angeles, CA, 90045
Support Group Co-Leader: Alejandra Serrano
Phone: 213-245-7439
Email: sclerowarrior18@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Brittany Rudy-Morris
Phone: 909-263-8662
Email: YASGBRITTANY@gmail.com
2025 IN PERSON Meeting Dates: Saturdays 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM February 8, April 12, June 14, August 9, October 11, December 13
2025 VIRTUAL Meetings Dates: Mondays 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM January 13, March 10, May 12, July 14, September 8, November 10
Parents of Kids and Teens with Scleroderma (Ages 0-19)
Navigating the journey of scleroderma with your child can be uniquely challenging. We understand the need for a supportive community and the necessity of essential information to guide you through the daunting world of scleroderma. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new support group tailored for parents of kids and teens with scleroderma. Whether your child is dealing with localized scleroderma or systemic sclerosis (SSc), connecting with other parents who share the same journey is profoundly beneficial for both you and your child. All caregivers are welcome.
Virtual meetings twice a month 1st Thursday 8 PM EST/5 PM PST and 3rd Saturday 12 noon EST/9 AM PST.
Meeting Dates:
Thursdays 2025: 1/2/2025, 2/6/2025, 3/6/2025, 4/3/2025, 5/1/2025, 6/5/2025, 7/3/2025, 8/7/2025, 9/4/2025, 10/2/2025, 11/6/2025, 12/4/2025
Saturdays 2025: 1/18/2025, 2/15/2025, 3/15/2025, 4/19/2025, 5/17/2025, 6/21/2025, 7/19/2025, 8/16/2025, 9/20/2025, 10/18/2025, 11/15/2025, 12/20/2025
Location: Zoom (See 'Meeting Calendar' under 'Support Group Resources' for zoom link to register)
Support Group Co-Leader: Pamela Pour
Phone: 248-885-7094
Email: scleromom9@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Isabel Reyes
Phone: 626-703-0619
Email: 4me4us.curescleroderma@gmail.com
Spanish Speaking Scleroderma Support Group
¡Buenas noticias! Estamos ofreciendo un grupo de apoyo para todas nuestras familias que hablan español en asociación con la Fundación de Esclerodermia del Área Metropolitana de Chicago. Este grupo está hecho para todos los guerreros de la esclerodermia de habla hispana, sin importar dónde se encuentren en su camino. ¡Juntos somos más fuertes! Únase a nosotros desde casa a través de zoom.
El grupo se reúne una vez al mes el segundo jueves a las: 5 p.m. PST/7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST: 2025 : 9 de enero, 13 de febrero, 13 de marzo, 10 de abril, 8 de mayo, 12 de junio, 10 de julio, 14 de agosto, 11 de septiembre, 9 de octubre, 13 de noviembre, 11 de diciembre
Por favor, regístrese con anticipación en:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrf-CprTMrHNw-_XoEX06T9K4vVHqfA0PN
Después de registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación con información sobre cómo unirse a la reunión.
Support Group Leader/Líder del Grupo de Apoyo: Alejandra Serrano
Phone/Teléfono: 213-245-7439
Email/Correo electrónico: sclerowarrior18@gmail.com
Northern Arizona Support Group Meeting in Prescott
Location: Prescott Public Library in the Elsea Conference Room
215 E. Goodwin Street, Prescott, AZ, 86303.
Patients and Caregivers Welcome!
Topic This Month: Meet and Greet
This is our second meeting in Arizona. After introductions, we will discuss the activities and events offered by the Scleroderma Foundation of California and see what activities, programs and meetings we can do in Arizona.
Support Group Co-Leader: Roberta Hines
Phone: 562-745-8075
Email: hines.roberta50@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Bonnie Copeland
Phone: 714-606- 6059
Email: bonmail@pacbell.net
2025 Meeting Dates: April 5, May 10, June 7, August 9, October 4, December 7
(Please call Roberta to RSVP your attendance)
Antelope Valley/Lancaster
(All Meetings are Virtual Until Further Notice. LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)
Support Group Leader: Michelle Schoelz
Email: avsgmichelle@gmail.com
Phone: 626-230-0524
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM: January 25, March 22, May 24, July 26, September 27, November 22
Bakersfield/Kern County Support Group
Location: The Office of Timothy M. Osborn
2200 Truxtun Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Support Group Leader: Stephen Elrod
Phone: 661-201-1759
Email: stephenelrod168@yahoo.com
2025 Meetings: TBD
The Bay Area Scleroderma Support Group (OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS)
This is an independent group of scleroderma patients and caregivers serving the San Francisco Bay area and they are currently meeting virtually via ZOOM monthly, on the 3rd Saturday, from 1 PM-3 PM (PST).
Meeting Location (once meetings in person return): Kaiser Hospital
West Niles Building
Conference Room G (110) First Floor
39400 Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
Support Group Leaders: Pat and Mary Lou
Phone: 408-926-4314/510-471-5831
Email: SFBayAreaSclero@gmail.com
2025 Meetings: Saturday- January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15
PLEASE CLICK HERE to join their email list for updates and full meeting details.
or visit https://www.bayareasclero.org/
Camarillo/Ventura County Support Group
Location: Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District
1605 Burnley St, Camarillo, CA 93010.
Support Group Co Leader: Melissa Knolls
Phone: 805-231-9573
Email: Melissa.K.VenturaCounty@gmail.com
Support Group Co- Leader: Maura Sylber
Phone: 805-368-0843
Email: msylber@verizon.net
2025 Virtual Meeting Date: Saturdays from 9:30am - 11:00am- January 11, May 10, September 13,
2025 IN PERSON Meeting Date: Saturdays from 9:30am - 11:00am- March 8, July 12, November 8
Central Coast Support Group
(Servicing Northern Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County)
Meeting Location: Saint John's Lutheran Church
959 Valley Rd.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Support Group Co-Leader: Pat Muran (Habla Español)
Phone: 805-459-2362
Email: pat.ccssg@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Daisy Perez
Phone: 805-363-5257
Email: brighterthansclero17@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM : January 18, March 15, May 17, July 19, September 20, November 15
Fresno Support Group
(All Meetings are Virtual Until Further Notice. LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)
Support Group Leader: Jennifer Wood
Email:jenn4fresnoSGL@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM: January 25, March 22, May 24, July 26, September 27, November 22
Honolulu and Maui Support Group
(All Meetings are Virtual Until Further Notice.)
Support Group Leader: Barbara Butorovich (Honolulu)
Email: sclerodermahawaii@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Lynn Muramaru
Phone: 808-542-9581
Email: muramarulynn@gmail.com
Support Group Leader: Lynn Kim (Maui)
Email: backtonature.kim@gmail.com
Phone: 808-344-5007
Imperial County/El Centro Support Group
(All Meetings are Virtual Until Further Notice. LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)
Contact leader for next meeting location
Support Group Leader: Debi Gray
Phone: 760-554-4942
Email: ivsclerogroup2017@yahoo.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM: January 25, March 22, May 24, July 26, September 27, November 22
Inland Empire/San Bernardino Support Group
Meeting Location (call leader for location)
Support Group Co-Leader: Mercedes Howard
Phone: 909-994-7495
Email: mercedes.howard@ymail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM February 8,
Las Vegas Support Group
Meeting Location: Rainbow Library
3150 N. Buffalo Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89128
Support Group Co-Leader: Nancy Garza
Phone: 562-307-5690
Email: LVSGLnancy@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Delores Leonard
Email: lvsgdelores@gmail.com
Phone: 702-321-9252
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturday 1:00pm 3:00pm: January 18, February 15, March 15
Los Angeles/South Bay Support Group
Meeting Location: Office of the Scleroderma Foundation of California
8929 S Sepulveda Blvd # 401
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Support Group Leader: Tina Burger
Phone: 310-699-7290
Email: tburger@myscleroderma.org
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 noon: January 18, March 8, May 10, July 12, September 13, November 8,
Los Angeles County/San Gabriel Valley Support Group
Meeting Location: The Alhambra
1000 South Fremont Ave.
Alhambra, CA, 91803
(MAKE SURE YOU COME TO SOUTH FREMONT)
There is no charge for parking. Enter parking lot from Fremont Street and park near the Green Awning that says "THE ALHAMBRA"
Follow "Scleroderma Meeting" signs for meeting room.
Support Group Co-Leader: Penni Lavoot
Phone: 714-313-8539
Email: plavoot@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Catherine Baca
Phone: 213-590-2273
Email: MyLivingSpecialist@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: January 11, - Art Therapy Program, April 5, - Yoga for Scleroderma ( location to be determined)
Monterey Bay Support Group
(LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)
Support Group Co-Leader: Cherri O'Neil
Phone: 831-334-6300
Email: mbsclero@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Annette Rahn
Phone: 650-575-8214
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM: January 25, March 22, May 24, July 26, September 27, November 22
Orange County Scleroderma Support Group
Meeting Location: Chateau Blanc Clubhouse
18650 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Support Group Co-Leader: Bonnie Copeland
Phone: 714-606- 6059
Email: bonmail@pacbell.net
Support Group Co-Leader: Roberta Hines
Phone: 562-745-8075
Email: hines.roberta50@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM January 11, April 12,, July 12, October 4, December 6
Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage
(Virtual and In-Person meetings. Call support group leader for address for in person meetings and zoom link for virtual)
Support Group Co-Leader: Christine Haddad
Phone: 909-754-5934
Email: christinesfie@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00 - January 25
Palo Alto Support Group
(Meeting both in person and virtually. Call support group leader for zoom link)
Support Group Leader: Rachel Ho
Phone:415-680-4389
Email: rachelhosf@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates:
Virtual: Sundays from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM - February 9
In-Person: Saturdays from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - March 8
In-Person Meeting Location: 2000 North Shoreline Blvd. Mountain View, CA 94043
Sacramento Support Group
(All Meetings are Virtual Until Further Notice. LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)
Support Group Co-Leader: Sa'Ronda Ary
Phone: 707-310-1299
Email: HeartforSclero@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Rosemarie Brown
Phone: 707-332-7540
Email: HeartforSclero@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Second Sundays from 5 PM to 6:30 PM: February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14
San Diego/Encinitas Support Group
Location: Encinitas Community Center
1140 Oakcrest Park Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024
Support Group Leader: Kelly Clemeshaw
Phone: 760-855-3449
Email: kclemeshaw@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12 noon February 1, April 5, June 7, August 2, October 4,
San Diego/Mission Valley Support Group
Location: Mission Valley Library
2123 Fenton Parkway
San Diego, CA 92108
Support Group Leader: Susan Okuno
Phone: 619-246-9393
Email: sokuno1@yahoo.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 noon: January 4, March 1, May 3, September 6, November 1
San Fernando Valley Support Group
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every other Month (2nd Sunday)
Location: Sherman Oaks Hospital, Doctors Conference Room
4929 Van Nuys Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Support Group Co-Leader: Kelly Ryan
Phone: 818-974-2428
Email: Kelly@kellycryan.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Marissa Villa
Phone: 818-903-4575
Email: marissavilla818@gmail.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Sunday 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: January 12
Santa Barbara Support Group
Meeting Location: Beneflex Insurance Office (corner of Anapamu and Chapala)
101 W. Anapamu St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Support Group Leader: Cindy Cattaneo
Phone: (805) 895-7384
Email: ccattaneo123@gmail.com
2025 Meetings:
Santa Rosa Support Group
(LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)
Support Group Co-Leader: Mary Lamb
Phone: 415-246-4501
Email: ncalsclero@gmail.com
Support Group Co-Leader: Melisa Brown
Phone: 707-246-3520
Email: livingitupin2030@yahoo.com
2025 Meeting Dates: Virtual: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM: January 25, March 22, May 24, July 26, September 27, November 22
COME ONE, COME ALL VIRTUAL PEER SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS FOR ALL
Come One-Come All!!! Families from our neighboring support groups will be joining together to share updates, get advice and give support) (LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)
2025 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM, January 25, March 22, May 24, July 27, September 27, November 22
For further information about any of our support groups, or information on how to start a Support Group in your community please contact:
Tina Burger, Patient Services Director
Phone: 310-699-7290
Email: tburger@myscleroderma.org
San Diego Support Group
Young Adult Support Group
Palo Alto Support Group
San Fernando Support Group
Scleroderma Foundation of California
8929 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 401