Support groups

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

2024 IN PERSON Meeting Dates: Saturdays 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM February 10,April 13, June 8, August 31 End of Summer Party, October 12, December 14

2024 VIRTUAL Meetings Dates: Mondays 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM January 8, March 11, May 13, July 8, September 9, November 11

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 2024: 1/4/2024, 2/1/2024, 3/7/2024, 4/11/2023 (date changed from 4/4), 5/2/2024, 6/6/2024, 7/11/2024, 8/8/2024 at 11am pst (Date and Time Change), 9/5/2024, 10/3/2024, 11/7/2024, 12/5/2024

Saturdays 2024: 1/20/2024, 2/17/2024, 3/16/2024, 4/20/2024, 5/18/2024, 6/15/2024, 7/20/2024, 8/17/2024, 9/21/2024, 10/19/2024, 11/16/2024, 11/23/24 Special Talk with Dr. Daniel Glaser, 12/21/2024

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: 12 de abril, 10 de mayo, 14 de junio, 12 de julio, 8 de agosto, 12 de septiembre, 10 de octubre, 14 de noviembre, 12 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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturday, July 13th from 11:30 AM to 2 PM  

(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

Support Group Leader: Noelle Kei

Email: AVScleroderma@gmail.com

Phone: 562-833-9172

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM: September 28, November 23

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

2024 Meetings: 

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

2024 Meetings: Saturday, January 20, February 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19. (No meetings November and December)

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM: January 13, March 9, May 11, July 13, September 14,

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM January 20, March 16, May 18, July 20, September 21, November 16

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM: January 24, February 28, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28, September25, October 23, November 23

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10AM to 11:30 AM, January 27, March 23, May 25, July 27, September 28, November 23

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM February 3, April 6, May 4, June 29, August 3, October 5, December 1

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturday 1:00pm 3:00pm May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 14, October 19  

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 noon: January 20 (DATE CHANGE), March 9, May 11, July 13, September 14, November 9

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

2024 Meeting Dates: 

CANCELLED- Monday September 9th (GATHERING AT BOLSA CHICA BEACH)

Saturday, September 21 - In-Person Meeting at The Alhambra, 11 AM - 1:00 PM

Monterey Bay Support Group

(LINKS TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS ARE LISTED UNDER CALENDAR OF EVENTS)

Support Group Co-Leader: Annette Rahn

Phone: 650-575-8214

Support Group Co-Leader: Cheri O'Neil

Phone: 831-334-6300

Email: mbsclero@gmail.com

Virtual Meetings on zoom second Monday of each month from 7 PM to 8:30 PM:

Monday, June 10th, July 9th, August 12th, September 9th, October 14th, November 11th.

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM January 20, April 13, July 13, September 21, December 7.

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

In-Person: Sunday July 14th, September 8th, Saturday, DEC TBD for end of year party! Meetings located at Christine's home. (Please contact support group leader for address for meeting)

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

2024 Meeting Dates: 

Virtual: Sundays from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM January 14, March 10 

In-Person: Saturdays from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM February 17, April 13, June 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: Rcampanabrown@gmail.com

2024 Meeting Dates: Second Sundays from 5 PM to 6:30 PM:  April 14, May 19, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12 noon February 3, April 6, June 1, August 3.

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 noon: January 6, March 2, May 4, (CANCELLED-July 6), September 7, November2

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

2024 Meeting Dates: Sunday 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: January 14, March 10, May 12, (Mother's Day) July 14, September 8, November 10.

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 

2024 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

2024 Meeting Dates: Virtual:  from 7PM to 8:30 PM on zoom: June 19th, July 17th, August 21st, September 18th, November 23

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)

2024 Meeting Dates: Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM, January 27, March 30, May 25, July 27, September 28, November 23

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