IPF Support Groups
Pennsylvania PF Support Groups
Temple Lung Center
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
3401 N. Broad Street, 5th Floor, Zone D (Ambulatory Care Center)
Philadelphia, PA 18140
Meetings times: Every 3 months on the Second Tuesday
(3/14, 6/13, 9/12 and 12/12) from 2-3 pm
Contact: Michelle Vega-Olivo, CRNP
michelle.vega@tuhs.temple.edu
St. Luke’s University Hospital Anderson Campus
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Medical Office Building Ground Floor (Entrance at Fitness Center)
1700 St Luke’s Blvd., Easton, PA 18045
Meeting times: Every 2nd Wednesday of each mont from 2-3 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
St. Luke’s University Hospital Lung Transplant Mentorship Program Bethlehem Campus
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center, Rm 113
801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015
Meeting times: Every 4th Tuesday of each month from 2-3 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospital
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Kasych Pavilion (to the right of hospital entrance) Free Valet Parking
1200 Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, PA 18103
Meeting times: Every 3rd Tuesday of each month from 2-3 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Geisinger Medical Center/Danville
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
GO TO MAIN ENTRANCE – Abigail Community Room (Valet Parking)
100 N. Academy Ave., Danville, PA 17822
Meeting times: Every 1st Thursday of each month from 2:30-3:30 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Geisinger Medical Center/Wyoming Valley
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Valley Medical Building, General Surgery Conference Room
1000 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes Barre, PA 18711
Meeting times: Every 4th Wednesday of each month from 2:30-3:30 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Project Positivity for Pulmonary Fibrosis
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Meeting times: Every 2nd Friday of each month from 1-2 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Veteran’s ILD Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Meeting times: Every 2nd Thursday of each month from 5-6 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
WELLSPAN Health York Hospital
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
2350 Freedom Way #202, York, PA 17402
Meeting times: 1st Wednesday of each month from 5-6 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Wellspan Chambersburg Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Wellspan Health, Building #2
12 St. Paul’s Dr., Chambersburg, PA 17201
Meeting times: Every 3rd Monday of each month from 5-6 pm
Contact: Jennifer Briggs at tjbriggs717@outlook.com | 717-262-8447 or
Bonnie Harmon at bonnieharmon32@yahoo.com | 717-658-2425
MEETING DATES
Penn State Hershey Medical Center University Fitness and Conference
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Penn State Hershey Medical Center – University Fitness Center
30 Conference Dr. Hershey, PA 17033
Meeting times: The last Monday of every month from 5.30-7 pm
Contact: Timothy Sheehan
tsheehan@pennstatehealth.psu.
MEETING DATES
Simmons Center IPF Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
UPMC Presbyterian Hospital (Room location varies)
3459 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Meeting time: 1-3 pm on Wednesday, April 5th
Contact: Stacie Truszkowski
truszkowskisl@upmc.
University of Pennsylvania Interstitial Lung Disease Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Smillow Center for Translational Research – Room 01-102 3400
Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Meeting times: Specific Fridays of each month from 2-3:30 pm
Contact: Jamie Lederer, Interstitial Lung Disease Nurse Practitioner
Jamie.lederer@uphs.upenn.edu | 215.615.7242
MEETING DATES
*Zoom link changes monthly, please email ILDSupportGroup@
Jefferson Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
834 Walnut Street, Suite 650, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Meeting times: Every 3rd Thursday of the month from 12:30-2 pm
Contact: Emily Littman, PA-C
emily.littman@jefferson.edu | 215-955-5161
MEETING DATES
“COFFEE WITH CAREPARTNERS”
A place and time where CarePartners can connect, talk, and support each other while caring for their loved one living with pulmonary fibrosis.
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Diana’s Café
4907 PA-309, Center Valley, PA 18034
Meeting times: Every 1st Friday of each month 10-11 am
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Grief Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Meeting times: Every 4th Friday of each month from 1-2 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
New Jersey PF Support Groups
Garden State PF Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Morristown Memorial Hospital
100 Madison Ave., Morristown, NJ
Meeting times: Last Wednesday of each month
Contact: Maggi Liebig and Charlie Bryant
liebigm@gmail.com
Encompass Health of Tinton Falls Monmouth Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
2 Centre Plaza, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Meeting times: Every 3rd Thursday of each month from 2-3 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Rutgers Health Pulmonary Division Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group Robert Wood Johnson Hospital/New Brunswick Campus
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
CAB (Clinical Academic Building)
125 Patterson St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Meeting times: Every 1st Tuesday of each month from 2-3 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital/Rahway Lung Disease Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Nicholas Quadrel Center for Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation; 2nd floor
865 Stone Street, Rahway, NJ
Meeting times: Every 1st Friday of each month 3.30-4:30 pm
The program is free, but registration is required. To register or for more information call: 732-499-6193
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Encompass Health of Toms River
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
14 Hospital Drive, Toms River, NJ
Meeting times: Every 4th Thursday of each month from 1-2 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Robert Wood Johnson/Trinitas ILD Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Meeting times: Every 3rd Friday of each month from 2-3 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Delaware PF Support Groups
ChristianaCare ILD Support Group
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Meeting times: Every 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1-2 pm
Contact: Jennifer H. Wescoe-Singley, M.Ed., NCC
jennifer@wescoe.org | 484.553.6340
MEETING DATES | JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Better Breathers Club
THE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
4755 Ogletown Stanton Rd., Newark, DE 19718
Meeting times: Every 2nd Wednesday of each month
Contact: Sharon Stallings for meeting times
sstallings@christianacare.org | 302.623.5641
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF)
click below to search for a support group within the country/internationally
The Wescoe Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis provides support, advocacy, and resources for people with PF and their families to sustain the highest possible quality of life.
Ron Wescoe was a committed football and baseball coach. In 2003, he was diagnosed with PF. He and his family were forced to cope with this devastating disease on their own until Ron passed away on October 29, 2004. At the time, there was little information available, few medical resources, and limited support. Ron’s daughter, Jennifer H. Wescoe, founded the non-profit Wescoe Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2011 to honor her father and to serve as a resource for the PF community in Eastern Pennsylvania. The organization creates, implements, and facilitates support groups within close proximity to patients.
Wescoe believes support groups are one of the most helpful resources for PF patients. She notes that patients often tell her they find the support they need and that the groups act as a “bridge” to their healthcare team, making it easier to manage their disease. But, she points out in a recent blog post, there are other important reasons to consider attending a support group:*
- Further your disease education on topics such as oxygen therapy, the role of a healthy diet, clinical trial eligibility, and qualifying for lung transplantation. Learn from others’ experiences in a supportive environment that often includes a healthcare professional and where no question is too big or small.
- Find new resources without the added stress of spending countless hours online.
- Feel better by being empowered to become your own advocate and have worthy conversations with your healthcare team. As Wescoe notes, “You are your own best advocate.”
- Feel more connected, realizing you are not alone. Surround yourself with like-minded people who all speak the same language. States Wescoe, “support groups break down barriers of isolation and may help you feel more connected and grounded.” Moreover, they may help depression and anxiety according to research.
The article can be found here.
*Wescoe, J.H. (2017, September 13). Top 4 Reasons to Attend a Support Group. Temple Health.