Virtual Meetings and Support During COVID-19

Due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, all in-person meetings have been canceled until further notice. However, many New England Chapter supported support groups are offering their meetings virtually!

Published: November 9, 2020

Things, as you know, are changing dramatically every day, and we’re doing our best to respond to the constantly shifting tides. Our top priority is to help IBD patients in all the ways they need it and support IBD professionals on the frontlines. Please be assured that the Foundation is continually monitoring a variety of sources and perspectives to inform our decisions and guidance, including Centers for Disease Control (CDC), local health agencies, activities of other community organizations, hospital policies, our National Scientific Advisory Committee, as well as the recent International Organization of IBD (IOIBD) recommendations. We use this information to regularly update the patient guidance on our website. If you have additional caregiver questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our IBD Help Center with your questions. You can call 1-888-MY GUT PAIN (1-888-694-8872) or email info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org to ask your personal questions and get a response from a knowledgeable, caring specialist. (Available live Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Eastern time.)

As per CDC guidelines, our in-person support group meetings remain suspended. However, we encourage you to contact the group leader to get more information on virtual meetings. Don’t forget to visit our Community and Support page and view our other resources, such as our online support education group! There are also other helpful links for College Students and one-on-one mentoring in our Power of Two program. 

Below you will find a list of support groups that have transitioned to virtual meetings. Please contact the group leader for more information.

 

MGH Boston Patient, Parent and Friend Support Group

Address: 

Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Who's Welcome: Patients, parents and friends

Meeting Times: 6:30pm-7:30pm, Second Wednesday of each month 

Support Group Leader Contact: Al Wilson at  [email protected]

Additional Information: This group meets in the Yawkey Building, Room 4-820 and offers peer support for people of any stage of IBD. Click here for a map of MGH.

Davis Family Center Springfield Adult and Caregiver Support Group

Address:

Davis Family Heart and Vascular Center
759 Chestnut Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01199

Who's Welcome: Patients and caregivers

Meeting Times: 1:00pm-3:00pm, First Sunday of each month

Support Group Leader Contact: - [email protected]

Additional Information: This group meets in Room 3005. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation sponsors this monthly group meeting to educate adults about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to provide mutual support for anyone who has them, or cares for someone diagnosed. Discussions can include and are not limited to nutrition, treatments, doctors, symptom management, stress relief, and relationship issues. Everything discussed is held in confidence. Please join us! 

UMass Medical Center Family/Pediatric Support Group

Address: 

UMass Memorial Medical Center
University Campus
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, Massachusetts 01655

Who's Welcome: Children and teens with IBD, their family members and siblings

Meeting Times: 6:30pm-7:30pm, Third Thursday of each month

Support Group Leader Contact: Lisa Fournier at [email protected] or (508) 395-2278

Additional Information: The group meets on the second floor of the Benedict building in the Stress Reduction Room.

Worcester, MA IBD Pediatric Caregiver's Support Group

Address:

UMass Memorial Medical Center
University Campus
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, Massachusetts 01655

Who's Welcome: Caregivers and parents

Meeting Times: 6:00pm-7:00pm, Second Thursday of each month 

Support Group Leader Contact: Lisa Fournier at [email protected] or (508) 395-2278

Additional Information: The group meets on the second floor of the Benedict building in the Stress Reduction Room.

Boston IBD Online Young Adult Support Group

Address: Completley online!

Who's Welcome: Young adults from middle school to college age

Meeting Times: 2:00pm, Third Saturday of each month

Support Group Leader Contact: [email protected]

Additional Information: To attend the meetings, participants need to register with their names and email-addresses at https://bostonu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJckd-ytqDoqGdeLJXoaVlhaamYS9ZjNFFcG, from which further instructions about joining the zoom call will be sent.