Support groups
Why join a support group?
Transplant patients and their families can gain support from many different types of groups, including group gatherings, educational programs, one-on-one support, social activities, newsletters, written materials, Internet groups, and talking on the telephone. As patients’ transplant experiences continue, they often gain confidence and reach out others, in turn making lifelong friends, enjoying social activities and finding opportunities to promote the need for organ and tissue donation.
Hospital groups
Usually run by the hospital transplant coordinator, social worker or other member of the transplant team, these types of support groups may consist of patients who are pre- or post-transplant or are hospitalized with transplant-related problems. These types of groups also typically meet more frequently than non-hospital groups.
Local support groups
Usually run by transplant patient, these groups consist of pre- and post-transplant patients and their families. They allow members who have already had their transplant to help you with the adjustment to a more normal, everyday lifestyle. They usually have monthly meetings and special events.
Online support groups
These groups can provide you with a broad range of experiences from all over the world. In addition, Internet support groups allow allow you to ask personal questions in the comfort of your own home. You can find many Facebook and other social media sites that specialize by organ type or disease.
Professional organizations
Professional organizations provide educational seminars, materials and activities. They also may conduct fundraising to support research and help shape healthcare policy.
Page updated: April 6, 2023
Find support groups: Nationwide or by state
Nationwide support groups
American Association of Kidney Patients
Web: aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/support-groups
Phone: 800-749-AAKP
The Compassionate Friends, Inc.
Liver Transplant and Hepatitis C Online Support
Pancreatitis Online Support Group
Renal Support Network
Web: www.rsnhope.org/kidney-transplant-dashboard
Contact: Cher Thomas, Patient Outreach
Phone: 818-284-6763
Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, Inc
Web: www.2ndwind.org
TransplantBuddies.org
Transplant Recipients International Org.
Web: www.trioweb.org
Contact: Lorrinda Gray-Davis
Phone: 405-302-8400
- Peer-to-Peer meeting for pre and post-transplant patients: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT). Zoom meeting ID 916-203-4133, password 85044.
- Care partner/care giver meeting: 1st and last Wednesday of the month. Zoom meeting ID 826-9024-1864, password 85044.
Alabama
No active support groups known in Alabama at this time.
Alaska
AKPA Support
Alaska Kidney Patients Association, 205 E Dimod Blvd #820, Anchorage, AK 99501
Web: alaskakidney.org
Contact: Kristie Lemmon
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 907-333-2257
Arizona
Lung Transplant Support & Education (Virtual)
Banner University Medical Center – Tucson, 1625 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719
Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix, Lung Institute, 755 E McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Web: www.bannerhealth.com
Contact: Andrea Burkholder, LCSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 520-694-5168
Lung Transplant Support Group
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013
Contact: Kathy Lam, MSW, LCS
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 602-406-7009
Transplant Community Alliance (Virtual)
Open to all organ recipients
Currently meeting over Zoom. Various locations in Phoenix — coming soon.
Contact: Tila Achuff
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 602-277-2661
Arkansas
No active support groups known in Arkansas at this time.
California
Bay Area Association of Kidney Patients (Virtual)
- Menlo Park: PO Box 2332, Menlo Park, CA 94026
- Oakland: 350 Hawthorne Ave, Oakland, CA
- Palo Alto: 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA
- Walnut Creek
Web: www.baakp.org
Contact: Debra Elmore
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 650-323-2225
Cedars Sinai Transplant Support Groups
Web: www.cedars-sinai.org/patients-visitors/resources/support-groups.html
A Gift of Heart – Organ Transplant and Donor Support Group
Orange, CA
Web: www.agiftofheart.org
Loma Linda Transplant Support Groups
English
- Meets in person: 1st Monday of the month, 2:00-3:30 pm
- Location: 197 East Caroline Street San Bernardino, CA 92408
- Interested in attending, please email [email protected]
En español
- Meets in person: 1st Wednesday of the month, 3:30–4:30 pm
- Cuando: El primer miercoles de cada mes de 3:30 pm a 4:30 pm
Saddleback Kidney Support Group (Virtual)
Saddleback Church Peace Center, 1 Purpose Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Web: saddlebackkidneysupportgroup.com
Meeting over Zoom: 2nd Saturday of the month at 1 pm and 4th Monday of the month at 11 am. Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9494123210
Contact: Helen Mills
E-mail: [email protected]
Scripps Green Hospital
Transplant Support Group for transplant candidates and all patients who have been transplanted at Scripps.
- Meets first Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m.
- Virtual and in-person options: To register, go to www.scripps.org/events and use the keyword search “transplant.”
- In-person meets at 2 North Conference Room (Organ Transplant Department) at Scripps Green Hospital
- 10666 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla CA 92037
- Contact names: Joanna Mateo and Danielle Tunak
- Contact phone: 858-554-4310
- Contact emails:
- Website: www.scripps.org/transplant
Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, P.O. Box 2804, Cupertino, CA 95015
Web: www.bayareatrio.org
Contact: Rose Cabral
UCLA Support Groups
Web: www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information/support-groups
UCLA Liver Transplant Support Group
-
-
-
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 310-825-5921
-
-
UC San Diego Health System Liver Support Group
UC San Diego Health System, 4510 Executive Drive, Suite P7, San Diego, CA 92121
Contact: Vanessa Mulsow, LCSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 858-657-8073
UCSF Medical Center Organ Transplant Support Groups
UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
Web: www.ucsfhealth.org/services/organ-transplant-support-groups
UCSF Liver Transplant Support Group
-
-
-
- Contact: Zev Weinberg, LCSW
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 415-353-8131
-
-
UCSF Heart Transplant & VAD Support Group
-
-
-
- Contact: Catherine Nash, LCSW
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 415-353-1382
-
-
UCSF Lung Transplant Support Group
-
-
-
- Contact: Anne Johnson
- E-mail: [email protected]
-
-
West Los Angeles Hepatitis, Liver and Transplant Support Group
3131 N Arrowhead Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92405
Contact: Charles Butler
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 909-352-6264
Colorado
American Transplant Foundation Transplant Support Group
Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.americantransplantfoundation.org/transplant-patient-support-group/
Connecticut
No active support groups known in Connecticut at this time.
Delaware
No active support groups known in Delaware at this time.
District of Columbia
Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute Support Groups
Why: The transplant process is both mentally and physically draining. Speaking to and hearing from others who are in a similar situation can be helpful and motivating.
Kidney and Pancreas
- Please note that all meetings will be held virtually via Zoom until further notice.
- Audience: Kidney and pancreas transplant candidates and patients can share their transplant experiences and ask questions. All adult patients, families, and caregivers are welcome to join.
- When: Monthly, alternating Wednesday and Thursdays from 5:00-6:30 PM (EST) on the 3 or 4th week of the month, please contact for specific schedule
- Contact: Adam Manning, MSW, LGSW, LMSW (MD & VA)
- Email: [email protected]
Liver
- Please note that all meetings will be held virtually via Zoom until further notice.
- Audience: Liver transplant candidates and patients can share their transplant experiences and ask questions. All adult patients, families, and caregivers are welcome to join.
- When: Monthly, Third week, alternating between Mondays and Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (EST), please contact for specific schedule.
- Contact: Monica Hanza, MSW, LGSW
- E-mail: [email protected]
Small bowel
- Please note that all meetings will be held virtually via Zoom until further notice.
- Audience: Small Bowel transplant candidates and patients can share their pre- and post-transplant experiences and ask questions. All adult patients, families, and caregivers are welcome to join.
- When: Third Friday of the month, 12 PM to 1 PM (Eastern), please contact for specific schedule.
- Contact: Claire Riesenberg, MSSW, LICSW
- E-mail: [email protected]
Medstar Washington Hospital Center
Washington, DC 20010
Contact: Karen Wineguard
Phone: 202-877-3220
Florida
Organ Transplant Recipients of SW FL, Inc.
Web: organsupport.org
Renal Transplant Support Group
Halifax Health-Center for Transplant Services, Daytona, FL
Phone: 386-425 4650
Second Chance Support Group
Second Chance Jax, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Contact: Kristin Corlett
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 904-314-3436
UF Health – Shands Lung Transplant
PO Box 100223, Gainesville, FL 32610
Web: https://ufhealth.org/transplant-center/lung
Contacts:
Julie Redding, LCSW, CCTSW, ACM-SW, Adult Lung Transplant Social Worker
- Email, [email protected]
- Phone: 352-359-8636
Paula Johns, RN, MSN, Lung Transplant Coordinator
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 352-265-8940
Tampa General Hospital’s Transplant Support Group
Web: learning.tgh.org/w/events/149-transplant-support-group-all-organs
Transplant & VAD Support Group
Memorial Cardiac & Vascular Institute, 3501 Johnson St, Hollywood, FL 33021
Web: mhs.net
Contact: Zanrieann Harrell, LCSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 954-265-6810
Georgia
Brunswick Transplant Support Group
Brunswick, GA
Contact: Lea King-Badyna
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 912-269-9661
Hawaii
No active support groups known in Hawaii at this time.
Idaho
No active support groups known in Idaho at this time.
Illinois
Kidney and Pancreas Support Group
OSF St. Francis Kidney Transplant Services, Peoria, IL
Contact: Karen Welborn, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Web: www.osfhealthcare.org/services/transplant-services/
Phone: 309-655-4101
Live Life! Pre- & Post- Transplant Support Group
Web: https://aboutsmh.org/events/
Lung Transplant Support Group
University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637
Audience: Only for pre-transplant and post-transplant patients at University of Chicago
Web: https://www.uchospitals.edu/
Contacts:
- Francis Hammon, [email protected] and 773-702-4608
- Karen Elliott: [email protected]
Organ Transplant Support, Inc.
PO Box 471, Naperville, IL 60566
Web: www.organtransplantsupport.org/
Contact: Carol Olash, President
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 630-527-8640
Transplant Support Group of Illinois
Contact: Rich Barclay
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 847-680-4157
Transplant Support Group of Northern Illinois
Antioch, IL 60002
Contact: Carol Prebianca
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 847-838-4754
Indiana
Indianapolis: IU Health Transplant Support Group
550 N. University Blvd. Rm 4157, Indianapolis, IN 46205
- Please email Pat to learn about the meetings.
- Contact: Pat Wilkins,
- E-mail: [email protected]
Second Wind support group list
Listings: www.2ndwind.org/transplantation/support-groups/#indiana
Iowa
No active support groups known in Iowa at this time.
Kansas
Liver Transplant Support Group
University of Kansas Hospital, 4000 Cambridge Street, Kansas City Kansas 66160
Contact: Kellie Elliott, LSCSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 913-588-4417
Kentucky
University of Kentucky HealthCare Support Groups
- Heart: ukhealthcare.uky.edu/gill-heart-vascular-institute/patient-resources/support-groups
- Liver: Contact Kristen Workman, [email protected] or 859-323-3228
- Lung: Virtual meetings. Contact Lauren Coons, [email protected]
Louisiana
No active support groups known in Louisiana at this time.
Maine
No active support groups known in Maine at this time.
Maryland
Quarter Century Club
Group of recipients that are 25 or more years post-transplant. Living donors for those recipients are also welcome.
415 Piedmont Avenue, Cumberland, MD 21502
Web: www.quartercenturyclub.org
Contact: George E Franklin 3rd
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 301-328-2601
TRIO Maryland
Transplant Recipients International Organization
822 Guilford Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202
Contact: Marty Maren – President
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 410-558-0451
Massachusetts
UMass Memorial Health transplant support groups
- Kidney: https://www.ummhealth.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/services-treatments/surgery/services-we-provide/organ-transplant-surgery/adult-kidney-transplant/virtual-kidney-transplant-education-and-support-group
- Liver: https://www.ummhealth.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/services-treatments/surgery/services-we-provide/organ-transplant-surgery/adult-liver-transplant/virtual-pre-and-post-liver-transplant-education-and-support-group-2023
Michigan
Heart Transplant and LVAD Support Group for Patients and Families
University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Contact: Ruth Halben, LMSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 734-763-9788
Henry Ford Health Support Groups
Kidney/Pancreas Support Group
Contact: Patrick Williams, MSW, e-mail [email protected] or call 313-916-1290
Transplant Living Community
Web: www.henryford.com/services/transplant/resources/living-community
Lung Support Group
University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Contact: Amy Van Zee, LMSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 734-615-5334
Second Time Around Transplant Support Group (Virtual)
Spectrum Health
Contacts:
- Jacquie Oliai, [email protected]
- Beth Welliver, [email protected]
Phone: 616-391-2802
Transplant Connection (Virtual)
Beaumont Health, 3535 West 13 Mile Road-Suite 644, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Contact: Sophia Awan, LMSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 248-551-1201
Minnesota
University of Minnesota Medical Center – Fairview (Virtual)
420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Heart Transplant Support Group and VAD Support Group
Contacts:
- Natalia Carlson, MSW, LICSW, email [email protected], or call 612-273-5670
- Angela Herr, MSW, LICSW, email [email protected], or call 612-273-5774
Lung Transplant Support Group
MMC 181 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Contacts:
- Marget Schmidtke, LICSW, email [email protected], or call 612-273-5796
- Liz Herman, LICSW, email [email protected], or call 612-273-4579
Mississippi
Transplant Support Group
University of MS Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216
Contacts:
- Sherie Brock, [email protected]
- Jenny Humphries, [email protected]
Phone: 601-984-5065
Missouri
Barnes Jewish Hospital Support Groups
St. Louis, MO 63110
Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
- Contact: Mary Beth Fernandez, MSW, LCSW
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 314-362-5070
Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Support Group
- Web: www.barnesjewish.org
- Contact: Sarah Billingsly, MSW, LCSW
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 314-362-0319
Liver Transplant Support Group
- Contact: Kate Beerman, MSW, LCSW or Jen Kleissle, MSW, LCSW
- Phone: 314-747-9963 or 314-273-2421
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Lung Transplant Support Group
- Contact: Rebecca Bathon, LCSW, or Katie Havlovic
- Phone: 314-362-6127 or 314-747-6789
Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, Inc. (St. Louis)
Montana
No active support groups known in Montana at this time.
Nebraska
New Hearts Transplant Support Group
Contact: Lisa Carmichael
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 402-905-8077
Nevada
No active support groups known in Nevada at this time.
New Hampshire
No active support groups known in New Hampshire at this time.
New Jersey
No active support groups known in New Jersey at this time.
New Mexico
Transplant Community Support Group
Organ Transplant Awareness Program of New Mexico
Web: www.otapnm.org
New York
Kidney Wellness and Transplant Support Group (Virtual)
Kidney Foundation of WNY, 462 Grider Street, Williamsville, NY 14221
Web: kfwny.org/
Information: Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month at 6pm on Zoom. We started a 501(c)3 organization named Kidney Health Together that provides healthy foods to dialysis patients and their families.
Contact: Barbara Breckenridge
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 716-510-6702
The Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute
The Mount Sinai Medical Center, 18 Handsome Ave, NY, NY 11784
Contact: Gipsy Castellanos
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 212-241-5872
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian (Virtual)
3959 Broadway, New York, NY 10032
Pediatric Liver Transplant Support Group: Zoom meetings: first Monday of the month, 5 pm
Contact: Anna Rundle
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 212-342-3899 and 845-459-7243 (cell)
New York-Presbyterian Hospital Support Group listings
Web: www.nyp.org/cadc/patients-visitors/events
Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
Web: www.litrio.org/
Transplant Support Organization (TSO)
Web: www.transplantsupport.org
TRIO Manhattan Chapter
Transplant Recipient International Organization
PO Box 53 Lennox Hill Station, New York, NY 10021
Contact: Bethany Stout-Davie
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 917-468-4971
North Carolina
Lung Transplant Class / Support Group
UNC Center for Transplant Care, 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Contact: Laurie McDonald, LCSW, CCTSW, Transplant Case Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 984-974-7599
North Dakota
Sanford Health Transplant Support Group
Fargo, ND 58102
Web: www.sanfordhealth.org/medical-services/transplant-surgery
Phone: 701-234-6715
Ohio
Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
Greater Cleveland Chapter
Web: triocleveland.org
Akron-Canton Chapter
Web: www.trioweb.org/chapters/active-chapters/item/trio-akron-canton.html
Oklahoma
Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Contact: Ben Babb
Web: trio-oklahoma.org
Phone: 405-302-8400
- Peer to Peer meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30pm (CT) for pre- and post-transplant patients.
- Care partner/caregiver meeting on 1st and last Wednesday of the month via Zoom.
Oregon
Oregon Pulmonary Fibrosis/Lung Transplant Support Group
Tualitan, OR
Contact: Mike Henderson
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 503-936-8395
Pennsylvania
East of State College
Gift of Life Donor Program
Contact: Dwendy Johnson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 215-557-8090
Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
Philadelphia Chapter
Web: TRIOPhiladelphia.org
Contact: Bill Soloway
E-mail: [email protected]
Western PA
Western PA Kidney Support Groups
Pittsburgh, PA
Center for Organ Recovery and Education
Contact: Public Affairs at 412-963-3550
Puerto Rico
No active support groups known in Puerto Rico at this time.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Hospital Transplant Peer Support Group/Educational Series
Rhode Island Organ Donor Awareness Coalition
South Carolina
TransplantTalk SC (Virtual)
Information: Zoom meetings the last Tuesday of each month, 4:30 pm.
Web: https://www.facebook.com/groups/172432203709322/
E-mail: [email protected]
South Dakota
No active support groups known in South Dakota at this time.
Tennessee
No active support groups known in Tennessee at this time.
Texas
Ascension Seton Heart Specialty Care & Transplant Center Support Groups
Heart Transplant Support Group (Virtual)
1301 W. 38th St. #514, Austin, TX 78705
Contact: Shay Rogillio, LCSW, CCTSW-MCS
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 512-681-0500
LVAD Support Group (Virtual)
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin, South Conference Room, 1201 W. 38th St., Austin, TX 78705
Contact: Shay Rogillio, LCSW, CCTSW-MCS
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 512-681-0500
Scott & White Multi-Organ Transplant Support Group
Scott & White Transplant Center, Temple, TX 76508
Information: Support group meets monthly every 2nd Tuesday and 4th Friday, 3:30 pm at Transplant Lodging Facility, Amy’s House
Contacts : Kim Castillo-Seely, Krystal Brown and Lindsay Deaton
Web: https://www.bswhealth.com/specialties/transplant
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 254-725-8912
West Texas Transplant Support Group
University Medical Center, 602 Indiana Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79415
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 806-761-0710
Utah
No active support groups known in Utah at this time.
Vermont
No active support groups known in Vermont at this time.
Virginia
University of Virginia Health System Support Groups
P.O. Box 800191, Charlottesville, VA 22908
Heart/Lung Transplant Support Group
Contact: Bill Potts, LCSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 800-257-0757
Liver/Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Support Group
Contact: Melissa Dorris, LCSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 800-543-8814
Kidney and Liver Transplant Support Group
Hume-Lee Transplant Center, Richmond, VA
Contact: Sheila Bullock, MSW
Web: www.vcuhealth.org/transplant
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 804-828-8193
Kidney Transplant Support Group
Henrico Doctor’s Hospital, VA Transplant Center, Richmond, VA
Contact: Elizabeth Harvell
Phone: 804-289-4941
Liver Transplant Support Group (Winchester)
Contact: Mary Reed
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 540-550-4652
Washington
Lung Transplant Support Group
University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Contact: Angela Wagner, MSW
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 206-598-2676
West Virginia
No active support groups known in West Virginia at this time.
Wisconsin
Kids With Heart National Association for Children’s Heart Disorders
1578 Careful Drive, Green Bay, WI 54304
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 800-538-5390
St. Luke’s Heart Transplant Support Group
Milwaukee, WI
Phone: 414-646-2550
Wyoming
No active support groups known in Wyoming at this time.
