Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation

There is no cost to attend CARF Support Groups. New members are welcome.

Canada/Toronto Support Group Inaugural Meeting!

When: October 12-13, 2012

Where: in-conjunction with the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance Conference. For more information and to register, go to: www.canadianskin.ca/conference2012. Dermatologist Jeffery Donovan, MD, PhD will be present to answer medical questions that arise.

New York Support Group Meeting
When: Tuesday October 23 Time: 7:30 pm

Where: The meeting will be located in central Manhattan. Please RSVP to NewYorksupportgroup@gmail.com for address and directions.

We are fortunate to have Jerry Shapiro MD of NYU Langone Medical Center as advisor to our group! Dr. Shapiro also serves as Director of the University of British Columbia Hair Clinic and is a member of CARF's Scientific Advisors.

Boston Support Group Meeting
When: TBA
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Where:
Cary Memorial Library
Learning Center
1874 Mass Ave. Lexington

Lynne Goldberg, MD, BU dermatologist, is our physician advisor. New patients are welcome to join us. If you have any questions about the meeting, please contact bostonsupportgroup@carfintl.org.

Chicago Support Group Meeting
When: Saturday, TBA
Time: 10:00 am (doors open at 9:45 am for breakfast)
Where: University Center
Park Room, 525 S. State Street Chicago
Call for more information and to RSVP: 312-407-0000
Patients and their loved ones are welcome. Dermatologist Victoria Barbosa, MD will be present to answer medical questions that arise. Hair Transplant Surgeon William Yates, MD will join the group to provide the latest information about hair restoration surgery and its appropriateness for scarring alopecia patients.chicagosupportgroup@carfintl.org

Los Angeles Support Group Meeting
When: Sat, October tbd (special event)
Time: 10:30am-12:30pm

Where: Farmer's Market at the Grove community room (2nd level above Gate 1 on the corner of 3rd Street and Fairfax.
Who: those with alopecia areata and all other types of hair loss and their friends/family
What: open discussion, focusing on coping strategies through sharing our experiences with hair loss.

RSVP: losangelessupportgroup@carfintl.org

San Francisco Support Group Meeting
When: TBA Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Ruby Room (follow the arrows on the sixth floor) 2238 Geary Boulevard San Francisco. Free underground parking available. Take elevator to main lobby. Take elevator to 6th floor. Ask about carpooling.

A dermatologist from the University of California, San Francisco, will be present to answer questions and monitor the discussion for accuracy. For more information and to RSVP, contact Marilyn at sanfranciscosupportgroup@carfintl.org.

New patients are welcome at all groups.

CARF now has 16 support groups in various parts of the world. This is a way patients enjoy camaraderie, knowing they are not alone.

Support groups provide many benefits. They give patients the opportunity to express themselves in the safety of a group that understands their emotions, to share ideas and tips about cosmetic options, to learn more about cicatricial alopecia, and to no longer feel alone. A physician must be present at all meetings to answer questions and make sure correct, up-to-date information is given.

If you live in an area where there is no support group and would like to participate in starting one, please contact our volunteer support director at directorsupport@carfintl.org. All other queries should be sent to referrals@carfintl.org.

A support group start-up kit is available for leaders of new support groups, and our director can help guide you through the process.

Support groups meet four times a year. Patients are welcome to attend the nearest support group in their own state or a neighboring state. For more information or to be listed to receive meeting notices, please contact the support group leaders listed below or call CARF at 801-3450..

U.S. Support Groups

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles
losangelessupportgroup@carfintl.org

If you are interested in volunteering as a co-leader of this group, please contact directorsupport@carfintl.org.

San Francisco
Contact Joe and Marilyn at sanfranciscosupportgroup@carfintl.org

ILLINOIS

Chicago
Contact Joe and Bev at chicagosupportgroup@carfintl.org

LOUISIANA

New Orleans/Baton Rouge
Contact Debbie and Elayne at neworleanssupport@carfintl.org

MARYLAND, WASHINGTON DC, VIRGINIA

Contact Beth at md-dc-va-supportgroup@carfintl.org

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston
Contact Melody, Doreen and Joyce at bostonsupportgroup@carfintl.org

MICHIGAN

Detroit
Contact Virdell at detroitsupportgroup@carfintl.org

MINNESOTA

Minneapolis
Contact Maggie at minneapolissupportgroup@carfintl.org

NEW YORK
newyorksupportgroup@carfintl.org

If you are interested in volunteering as a co-leader of this group, please contact directorsupport@carfintl.org.

OREGON

Portland
Contact portlandsupportgroup@carfintl.org

UTAH

Salt Lake City
Contact saltlakecitysupportgroup@carfintl.org

International Support Groups

CANADA/Toronto

Ontario
If you are interested in volunteering as a co-leader for this group, please contact directorsupport@carfintl.org.

INDIA

Chennai
If you are interested in volunteering as a co-leader for this group, please contact directorsupport@carfintl.org.

London
If you are interested in volunteering as a co-leader for this group, please contact directorsupport@carfintl.org.

Manchester
Contact Annete at manchesteruksupportgroup@carfintl.org

CARF Patient Support Groups