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Providing Answers, Support and Hope in the Southeastern US

 

Support groups meet virtually across Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina and in our LupusConnect Community. We are here for you every step of the way.

Support Groups

We are excited to announce the return of some of our in-person lupus support groups, as well as the continuation of our virtual sessions! Whether you prefer connecting face-to-face or from the comfort of your own home, we have a supportive community waiting to welcome you. Whichever format you choose, our lupus support groups are facilitated by LFA trained facilitators who are passionate about providing a nurturing and compassionate environment. Remember, you are not alone in your journey!  Check our website or social media channels for upcoming dates, locations, and instructions on how to participate in both our in-person and virtual sessions. 

Southeast Region Support Groups
Florida: Central Support Group (Virtual)

Facilitators: Beverly Tinsley-Minniefield and Theresa Costello 

This is a virtual support group for lupus warriors and their loved ones. 

Meets 3rd Thursday at 6:30 - 8:00pm Eastern Monthly via Zoom: February - November, no July meeting 

Email: LFAcentralflgroup@gmail.com

Register here

Florida: Polk County Lupus Meetup (In-person)

Facilitators: Beverly Tinsley-Minniefield and Jasmine Lewis 

This is an in-person support group for lupus warriors and their loved ones. 

Meets Quarterly on the 2nd Saturday at 11am - 12:30pm 

Eastern Group sessions will be held on March 8, May 10, August 9, and November 8 

Location: Holiday Inn Express Lake Wales North Winter Haven at 2953 Ridge Way, Lake Wales, FL 33859 

Email: LFApolkcountygroup@gmail.com

In-Person Meeting Registration

Florida: Space Coast Support Group (Virtual)

Facilitators: Tawane "Tee" Jackson 

This is a virtual support group for lupus warriors and their loved ones. 

Meets 3rd Thursday at 6 :30 - 8pm Eastern Monthly via Zoom

January - December, no meeting in June and July

Email: LFAspacecoast@gmail.com

Register here

Florida: West Support Group (Virtual)

This is a virtual support group for lupus warriors and their loved ones.

 Facilitators: Karen Barkevich and Harvey Mackler

 Meets 2nd Saturday at 12:30 - 2pm Eastern Monthly via Zoom

 January - October 

Email: LFAwestfl@gmail.com

Register here

Florida: Southeast Support Group (Virtual)

Facilitator: Stacey Interlandi 

Coming soon! 

Meets virtually every 3rd Thursday,

6:30-8:00pm EST 

Email: lfaseflvirtual@gmail.com

South Carolina: Support Group (Virtual & In-person)

Facilitators: Hetlena Johnson, Madlyn Griffin, Jade Harkness, Leslie Foster, Shama Winston-Ford, Demetria Staggers, Tiffanie Williams, Tarsha Bowman 

This group is a hybrid support group with virtual meetings and with two (2) in-person meetups for lupus warriors and their loved ones. 

Meets 4th Saturday at 11am - 12:30pm Eastern Monthly virtual meetings via Zoom.

February - November; no meeting in October and December 

Email: LFAsclupusgroup@gmail.com

Register here

 

 In-person meetups will be held in April and May 

Locations: TBD 

In-Person Meetup Registration

Tennessee: HEAL Support Group (Virtual)

Facilitator: Katina Williams This is a virtual support group for lupus warriors and their loved ones. 

Meets 2nd Wednesday at 6 - 7:30pm Central Monthly via Zoom

January - December, no meeting in July 

Email: lfaheallupusgroup@gmail.com

Register here

National Support Groups
Asian Lupus Support

Facilitators: Karen Ng, Emily Chew, and Catherine Chong 

This is a national, virtual group for those in the Asian Community who are living with lupus and their loved ones. 

Meets 3rd Wednesday at 6 - 7:30pm PT/ 7 - 8:30pm MT/ 8 – 9:30 CT/ 9 – 10:30pm ET 

Monthly via Zoom: February - December, no meeting in April, July, and August

Email: LFAasiangroup@gmail.com

 Register here

Hispanic Lupus Support (Bilingual)

Facilitators: Yvette Salinas, Natalis Rubero, and Pablo Álvarez Calvo

 This is a national, virtual, bilingual group for those in the Hispanic Community who are living with lupus and their loved ones. 

Meets 4th Saturday at 12 - 1pm PT/ 1 - 2pm MT/ 2 - 3pm CT/ 3 - 4pm ET Monthly via Zoom

February - October, no meeting in July 

Email: LFAnationalhispanicgroup@gmail.com

Register here

Lupus 101 Support

Facilitator: Phara Policar 

This is a national, virtual group for those who have been diagnosed with lupus for 2 years or less or those who think they may have lupus. 

Meets 4th Saturday at 10 - 11:30am PT/ 11 - 12:30pm MT/ 12 - 1:30pm CT/1 - 2:30pm ET Monthly via Zoom.

January - November, no meeting in July 

Email: LFALupus101@gmail.com

Register here

Lupus Caregivers Support

Facilitator: Kim Harris 

This is a national, virtual group for those who are caring for someone who is living with lupus. 

Meets 1st Saturday at 9 - 10am PT/ 10 - 11am MT/ 11am - 12pm CT/ 12 - 1pm ET Monthly via Zoom.

February - November, no meeting in July

 Email: LFAcaregivers@gmail.com

Register here

Lupus Man Cave

Facilitators: Kevin Vaughn, Andy Palomo, and Brian Ung 

This is a national, virtual group for men who are living with lupus. 

Meets 4th Tuesday at 5 - 6:30pm PT/ 6 - 7:30pm MT/ 7 - 8:30pm CT/ 8 - 9:30pm ET Monthly via Zoom. 

January - October, no meeting in July 

Email: LFAmancave@gmail.com

Register here

Lupus Sister Circle

Facilitators: Hetlena Johnson-McCormick, Stephanie Scoggins, Monique Davis, Willie Mae Porch, Shade' Mallory, Shalonda Isom, Yolonda Childs, Shannon Blair-Albright, and Erica Doe 

This is a national, virtual group for Black women who are living with lupus. 

Meets 3rd Thursday at 4 - 5:30pm PT/ 5 - 6:30pm MT/ 6 - 7:30pm CT/ 7 – 8:30 ET Monthly via Zoom. 

January - November, no meeting in July 

Email: LFAsistercircle@gmail.com

Register here

Lupus Warrior Well

Facilitators: Chris Burton and Tonia Shirley 

This is a national, virtual group for lupus warriors to be encouraged mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Meets 3rd Wednesday at 5:30 - 6:30pm PT/ 6:30 - 6:30pm MT/ 7:30 - 8:30pm CT / 8:30 - 9:30pm ET Monthly via Zoom.

January - October, no meeting in July 

Email: LFAlupuswarriorwell@gmail.com

Register here

New! Military Lupus Support

Facilitator: Sharlinda Warner 

This is a national, virtual support group for lupus warriors who are serving, have served, and military spouses. 

Meets 3rd Thursday at 4 - 5pm PT / 5 - 6 MT/ 6 - 7pm CT/ 7 - 8pm ET Monthly via Zoom.

 February - November, no meeting in July

 Email: LFAmsg1@gmail.com

Register here

New! Strokes of Hope Lupus Support

Facilitator: Nichelle Lewis 

This is a national, virtual support group for lupus warriors who have experienced symptoms and challenges due to Central Nervous System (CNS) Lupus. 

Meets 4th Tuesday at 5:30 - 7pm PT/ 7:30 - 9pm CT/ 8:30 - 10pm ET Monthly via Zoom.

 February - November, no meeting in July and August 

Email: LFAstrokesofhope@gmail.com

Register here

New! Tuesday Night Lupus Club

Facilitators: Jessica Azrin and Rhonda Harris 

This is a national, virtual group for lupus warriors to have an open discussion about living with lupus and how to overcome daily challenges. 

Meets Every Tuesday at 4 - 5pm PT/ 5 - 6 MT/ 6 - 7pm CT/ 7 -8 pm ET Weekly via Zoom.

January - December, except holidays

 Email: LFAlupusclub@gmail.com

Register here

Youth Lupus Lounge

Facilitators: Deborah Kofoed, Gayatri Raut, and Chelsea Arancio 

This is a national, virtual group for those ages 10 – 21 living with lupus to connect with others their age. Breakout rooms for ages 10-16 and 16-21. 

Meets 1st Saturday at 10 - 11:30am PT/ 11 - 12:30pm MT/ 12 - 1:30pm CT/ 1 - 2:30pm ET Monthly via Zoom.

 February - November, no meeting in July 

Email: LFAyouthgroup@gmail.com

Register here

Support Group Disclaimer

The Lupus Foundation of America support groups are intended to assist group members to adjust to a life with lupus and to provide current and reliable lupus information & resources. The groups are open to those with lupus, their loved ones, and caregivers and are implemented by LFA-trained facilitators. LFA support groups are not designed to provide professional psychotherapy or counseling; however out of respect for participants, confidentiality is required, and no information shall be revealed outside of the group. The opinions and statements expressed by the group members or its volunteer leaders do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Lupus Foundation of America.

 

Lupus Connect

We also encourage you to join our online support communityLupus Connect, where individuals with lupus and their loved ones can engage daily with others like themselves 24/7.

Need additional support? Contact us via email at infose@lupus.org