Support Groups

COMING SOON!

APFED Connect will launch three new groups in August, and our Young EoE Warriors group will be transferred to a new platform. Be sure to keep an eye out for your monthly e-newsletter for details.

  • Date and Time coming soon.

Facilitated by: Jenna Tso, MSW, ASW is an associate clinical social worker based in Los Angeles who received her MSW from California State University, Long Beach, and her BS from the University of Toronto, and specializes in working with teens and young adults with food allergies and autoimmune disorders. As someone with lived experience of chronic illness and severe food allergies, Jenna is passionate about providing disability-affirming care and advocating for healthcare accessibility.

Groups are limited to 12 people.

  • 2nd Tuesdays of each month at 4pm PST / 7pm EST – start date: August 12th
  • Facilitated by:  Kerry Heckman, MSW, LICSW is a therapist in private practice in West Seattle, who has a passion for working with clients who have chronic illness and rare disease. Kerry believes that when it comes to chronic illness or any challenge, it is essential to remember you do not have to face it alone.
  • Groups are limited to 12 people.

Date and Time coming soon!

Groups are limited to 12 people.

  • 2nd Tuesdays of each month at 4pm PST / 7pm EST – start date: August 12th
  • Facilitated by:  Kerry Heckman, MSW, LICSW is a therapist in private practice in West Seattle, who has a passion for working with clients who have chronic illness and rare disease. Kerry believes that when it comes to chronic illness or any challenge, it is essential to remember you do not have to face it alone.
  • Groups are limited to 12 people.

 

APFED Connect Group Guidelines 

Respect & Privacy

  • Do not share other people’s information outside of the group
  • Listen when others are speaking
  • Refrain from negative comments
  • Be supportive of new members
  • No screenshots or recordings during meetings

Communication

  • It’s okay to pass if you don’t want to share
  • One person talks at a time, no interrupting others

Safe Space

  • This is a judgment-free zone, everyone’s feelings are valid.
  • It’s okay to have different experiences with your eosinophilic disease
  • It’s okay to feel upset, frustrated, or angry about having an eosinophilic disease
  • It’s also okay to feel positive or share successes
  • Do not contact anyone outside of the group unless you have prior permission

 

The APFED Connect Program is made possible thanks to grants from Sanofi/Regeneron, GSK, and the Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation.

 

Additional Online Support Communities

APFED’s online support community, “EOS Connections“, gives patients, caregivers, and family members, whose daily lives are affected by an eosinophil associated disorder, a chance connect with others for support and to share information. EOS Connections is monitored by Inspire and APFED.

There are also a number of Facebook groups for people with eosinophilic disorders. You may use the platform’s search function to find groups to engage with.

 

 

Local Support

APFED does not have affiliated support groups, but as a courtesy, a list of volunteer-led support groups are below. Please verify meeting information, location and times with the group leader prior to attending each meeting because all information is subject to change. This list does not imply endorsement or affiliation of any support group with APFED. This list is intended only for groups that organize meetings and events for members to participate in.

 

State/CitySupport GroupMeeting Schedule &

Location
Contact
AlaskaAlaska EGIDDue to the geographical diversity of Alaska, we try to meet a couple times of year mid state,
around Anchorage or Wasilla area. Most group contact is through Facebook.
Gail Balzer
gailbalzer@rocketmail.com
+1 (907) 394-3883
Facebook
Arizona, PhoenixArizona EOS Support GroupWhen: Last Thursday, every other month
Where: Banner Desert Medical Center
Tara Ross
az.eos@hotmail.com
Arizona, PhoenixPhoenix Children’s
When: Quarterly
Where: Phoenix Children’s Hospital Cohen
Conference Room
Please email for more info or to join support
group
Dianna M. Queheillalt eoe@phoenixchildrens.com
ArkansasArkansas
Eosinophilic Support Group
Please e-mail or call for more informationKirby Nassey Smith
kirbymassey4@yahoo.com
+1 (890) 926-9563
Facebook
Colorado, DenverEOS ColoradoPlease e-mail for additional directions
and information
Chanda Organ
denver.eos@gmail.com
Georgia, AtlantaAtlanta/N. Georgia Eosinophilic Disorders Support GroupWhen: Quarterly meetings.
Please e-mail or call for additional information
Dani Startt
danistartt@yahoo.com
+1 (678) 520-3703
New York, New York CityNew York Metro EOS Support GroupWhen: Bi-monthly meetings
Where: Mount Sinai Hospital.
Please e-mail for additional
information and directions
Amy Jo Frischling
NewYorkMetroEosSupport@gmail.com
North Carolina,
Charlotte
Southeastern Food Allergy Support GroupWhere: Facebook (Private Group)Raquel Durban
+1 (704) 341-9600 ext 1302
Facebook
North Carolina,
Raleigh
Triangle Eosinophilic Group (TAG)When: Every 3rd Sunday from 3 PM to 5 PM
Locations: vary. Please call or e-mail for additional information and directions
Susan Ramquist
susanramquist@gmail.com
Ohio,
Akron/Cleveland
Akron/Cleveland area Please e-mail for additional information Stacy Bergdorf
steg1994@yahoo.com
+1 (330) 687-3603
Ohio, CincinnatiCincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders/Cincinnati Eosinophilic Family CoalitionWhen: every other month from 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Where: at the hospital; refer to website for details regarding specific room information ; childcare is provided free of charge
www.eoscoalition.org
contact@eoscoalition.org
+1 (513) 600-8900
UtahEosinophilic Parents of UtahOnline platform for pediatric EGIDS. Please email for additional information.Melissa Sauter
eos4utah@gmail.com
Facebook
South CarolinaGreenville
Spartanburg Eos Support Group
This group schedules activities through its Facebook page.Victoria DeLano
eosalabama@gmail.com
Facebook
Texas, AustinAustin Families with Food AllergiesAFFA (Austin Family with Food Allergies) group meets quarterly
with events in between. All information, events, etc can be found on the AFFA Facebook page.
amy@texaseos.org
Facebook
Texas, Dallas
Ft. Worth
Eosinophilic Family Coalition DFW ChapterMonthly meetings. Please e-mail for additional
information and directions
Amy Zicarelli, Leader
amy@texaseos.org
+1 (214) 289-3022
eoscoalition.org
Facebook
Washington (state)EMPOWER: EOS
Moms and Pops Organizing Washington EGID Resources
Where: Facebook (private group)
Please e-mail for additional information
Angie Vos, Co-leader
angievos48@gmail.com
+1 (360) 970-8257
Catriona Colerick, Co-leader
mommacatriona@facebook.com
+1 (360) 828-2600
Jessica Young, Leader
empowerwashington@yahoo.com
Facebook
 

 

 

 

Join us June 26-28 in Raleigh-Durham, NC, or online for Eos Connection 2025!

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