Oregon Support Groups
Support groups provide a forum to share feelings, information, and experiences as well as a place to offer peer support and encouragement. Solicitations or research projects are not conducted at support group meetings, and our support group meetings are always free of charge.
To be notified of upcoming support group meetings, subscribe to our mailing list!
COVID-19 Update
All Oregon Chapter in-person support groups are ON HOLD until further notice due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) situation in Oregon. The health and safety of our scleroderma community is very important to us. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
In the meantime... we have started having virtual support groups on Zoom! See below for more information!
Please do not hesitate to email ORchapter@scleroderma.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Virtual Support Group Meetings!
In these isolating times, we feel that it's so important to stay connected! The Scleroderma Foundation Oregon Chapter is pleased to announce the start of a virtual support group meeting, hosted on Zoom. You can join for free via video, audio, or typing text. Virtual support group meetings will be held the second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. for the forseeable future.
Benefits to a virtual meeting: no traveling, you can wear pajamas if you want, and parking is free!
Next Virtual Meeting
Second Saturday of every month!
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We will open the meeting room at 9:45 a.m. to give everyone a chance to troubleshoot audio/video issues if necessary.
Zoom Info:
Please email ORchapter@gmail.com for the meeting ID and password.
Who is welcome?
All scleroderma patients, family, caregivers, and medical professionals are welcome! Even if you're from out of state... you're always welcome in the Oregon support group.
Info about using Zoom:
Zoom is completely free for you to download and install. You do not need to upgrade to the paid version.
You will need to download and install Zoom. You can do this on your computer, laptop, tablet, or phone. Please do this ahead of time!
- On your computer/laptop: Go to https://zoom.us/download and download Zoom Client for Meetings. Click on the downloaded file to install it.
- On your phone or tablet: Search for Zoom in your device's app store and install it.
- You can choose to create an account (free) which is helpful but not mandatory.
When you are ready to join the meeting, open the software and click "Join a meeting", and then enter the Meeting ID listed above. You will be prompted to enter a password, which will be provided to you.
We *highly* recommend attending the meeting via video chat, but you are welcome to turn your camera off and use audio only. There is a text chat room within the meeting as well, if you'd like to type a question or share something like a link.
If you are unable to download and install the software, you can attend the meeting via telephone.
Helpful Zoom Resources:
More info about joining a meeting
Quick start guide for new Zoom Users
Portland Support Group
Portland support group meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of the month in January, April, May, July, September, October, and November. Occasionally we have guest speakers to educate us about a particular subject, but we always leave time for general discussion. Family, friends, medical professionals, and caregivers are always welcome!
Meetings are held at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, 1015 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Parking is free in the hospital parking garages - we will give you a parking validation slip.
Next Portland Support Group Meeting:
Date: April 11, 2020 This meeting has been postponed due to COVID-19. Join our virtual meeting!
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital (map)
Wistar Morris room (inside main hospital, to the left of the lobby.)
1015 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon.
Parking is available in either of the parking garages at NW 22nd and Marshall, just across the street from the hospital. A parking validation slip will be provided to make your parking free of charge.
Portland Support Group Leader: Denise Bates
For more information, email ORchapter@scleroderma.org
Central Oregon Support Group
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your local scleroderma community. If you’d like to learn more about scleroderma or the Scleroderma Foundation please join us! Patients, family and friends, caregivers, and medical professionals are always welcome.
Meetings of this support group will be held on the second Saturday of every other month.
Please join us for our first Central Oregon support group meeting:
Date: March 14, 2020 This meeting has been postponed due to COVID-19. Join our virtual meeting!
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: Powell Butte Christian Church (map)
13720 OR-126
Powell Butte, OR 97753
Central Oregon Support Group Leader: Denise Bates
For more information, email ORchapter@scleroderma.org
Beaverton Support Group
This meeting is held on the third Tuesday of every month.
This meeting is a small gathering in a coffee shop that gives everyone time to ask questions, share experiences, and learn about coping with scleroderma from other patients! Family, friends, medical professionals, and caregivers are always welcome.
This location is easily accessible from Highway 217, and we will have tables reserved for us.
Next Beaverton support group meeting:
Date: The Beaverton support group is temporarily on hold due to lack of attendance.
Please click here and fill out a short survey to let us know your thoughts on this group!
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm
Location: Solace & Fine Espresso (map)
4655 SW Griffith Dr #160
Beaverton, OR 97005
Beaverton Support Group Leader: Christina Fidalgo
For more information, email cfidalgo@scleroderma.org
Salem Support Group
The Salem support group meeting will be held on the first Saturday of every other month at Salem Hospital. Family, friends, medical professionals, and caregivers are always welcome!
Next Salem support group meeting:
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2020 This meeting has been postponed due to COVID-19. Join our virtual meeting!
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Location: Salem Hospital, Building D (map)
Community Health Education Center - Support Group Room
939 Oak St SE
Salem, Oregon 97301
Parking is available directly across from the building.
Salem Support Group Leader: Tina Barton
For more information, email ORchapter@scleroderma.org
Southern Oregon Support Group
The Oregon Chapter is pleased to announce our new Southern Oregon support group, which is now meeting regularly in Medford!
This group will meet on the third Tuesday of every other month at 5 p.m. Family, friends, medical professionals, and caregivers are always welcome!
Next Medford meeting:
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 This meeting has been postponed due to COVID-19. Join our virtual meeting!
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Black Bear Diner back room (map)
1150 E Barnett Rd,
Medford, OR 97504
Southern Oregon Support Group Leader: Holly Herick
For more information, email ORchapter@scleroderma.org
Would you like to see a support group in your area?
Would you consider leading a support group?
It's easy, not time-consuming, and we will provide you with everything you will need!
Contact us at ORchapter@scleroderma.org for any questions!
