Select Page

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.

Support group

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.

This listing is a public service. UNOS does not facilitate or endorse these support groups. Listing information is provided by the support groups and is only updated when we are informed of changes.

Page updated: April 6, 2023

Nationwide support groups

American Association of Kidney Patients

Web: aakp.org/center-for-patient-engagement-and-advocacy/support-groups

Phone: 800-749-AAKP

American Heart Association

Web: www.heart.org

Phone: 800-242-8721

American Liver Foundation

Web: www.liverfoundation.org

Phone: 800-465-4837

The Compassionate Friends, Inc.

Web: www.compassionatefriends.org

Liver Transplant and Hepatitis C Online Support

Web: forums.delphiforums.com/livertransplant/start

National Kidney Foundation

Web: www.kidney.org

Phone: 800-622-9010

Pancreatitis Online Support Group

Web: pancreasfoundation.org/pancreas-community

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

Web: 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]

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

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

UCSF Heart Transplant & VAD Support Group

UCSF Lung Transplant Support Group

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

No active support groups known in Colorado at this time.

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

Paula Johns, RN, MSN, Lung Transplant Coordinator

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: aboutsmh.org/series/live-life-pre-post-transplant-support-group/

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:

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

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

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:

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:

Lung Transplant Support Group

MMC 181 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Contacts:

Mississippi

Transplant Support Group

University of MS Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216

Contacts:

Phone: 601-984-5065

Missouri

Barnes Jewish Hospital Support Groups

St. Louis, MO 63110

 

Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group

Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Support Group

Liver Transplant Support Group

Lung Transplant Support Group

Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, Inc. (St. Louis)

Web: www.secondwindstl.org

Montana

No active support groups known in Montana at this time.

Nebraska

New Hearts Transplant Support Group

Contact: Lisa Carmichael

Web: NewHeartsNebraska.com

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

Web: www.trio-manhattan.org

Contact: Bethany Stout-Davie

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 917-468-4971

Staten Island Transplant Support Organization

Staten Island, NY 10314

Web: www.tsostatenisland.org/

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 646-369-2290

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

Web: www.wpakidneysupport.org

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

Web: www.facebook.com/RIODAC/

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

Web: www.kidswithheart.org

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 800-538-5390

St. Luke’s Heart Transplant Support Group

Milwaukee, WI

Web: www.aurorahealthcare.org

Phone: 414-646-2550

Wyoming

No active support groups known in Wyoming at this time.

Reference and Publication Information
This Web site is intended solely for the purpose of electronically providing the public with general health-related information and convenient access to the data resources. UNOS is not affiliated with any one product nor does UNOS assume responsibility for any error, omissions or other discrepancies.

UNOS proudly recognizes sponsors whose generosity helps make our lifesaving mission possible.
Learn about sponsorships and our editorial standards.
Walgreens

Share This