AAFA

What are educational support programs?
These free programs provide an opportunity for people with asthma and allergies (and/or family members parents, and caregivers) to hear speakers, ask questions, learn more about managing asthma and allergies in "the real world," and share ideas and strategies in a small group.

Each program has a physician advisor and a volunteer leader who together plan topics of interest. They meet in a variety of community locations, including medical centers, doctors' offices and schools. The locations of these programs are listed below. For a chronological list of the programs planned, see Calendar Of Events.

To start an educational support program in your community, call us toll free at 1-877-2-ASTHMA. Most groups meet September through May.

CURRENT LISTINGS

Please send us your e-mail address and where you live, so that we may notify you of the upcoming meetings. Send it to: aafane@aafane.org.

Call the office if you have questions. 781-444-7778. Updates will be posted on this website regularly.

All programs are free and open to the public. All groups meet from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
For further information, call AAFA/New England, 781-444-7778, toll free 1-877-2-ASTHMA, or the local contacts listed below.

MASSACHUSETTS

NORTHWEST SUBURBAN BOSTON AREA

Lexington , MA

Meets at Beth Israel and Children’s Hospital Medical Care Center , 482 Bedford St. , Lexington , MA .

Directions: Rt. 128, take exit 31B (“Bedford, Rts. 4 & 225”). Get in right lane to make “Jug handle” U-turn, then turn into parking lot.

Leader: Laurel Francoeur

Medical Advisor: Anahita Dioun , MD

March 8, 2010 "Allergy-Friendly Family Dinners and Baked Treats”

Speaker: Margaret Kyle, Cook and Pastry Chef and parent of food allergic child.

Answering the question, "What's for dinner?" can be a challenge, especially for a family with multiple food allergies. How do you cook childhood favorites like meatballs, lasagna, and pizza without eggs, cheese, or wheat? How do you bake healthy and delicious treats without eggs, dairy, wheat, soy and nuts? Join us and find out! To learn more about Margaret, see: http://margaretkylecooking.com

April 13, 2010 "Food Allergies: Update on Research and Treatment"

Speaker: Allergist William Sheehan, MD, Children's Hospital Boston

Back to Calendar go to top of page

Southeastern MA

FOOD ALLERGY

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

Foxboro , MA

Meets at Pediatric Specialists, 132 Central St., Suite 116, Foxboro (Exit 7B off Rt. 95 -Route 140 North)

March 18, 2010: Cancelled

Food Allergies: What Would YOU Do? - A discussion about how to handle real-life situations involving social situations, family interactions, and more. Scenarios will be presented for discussion, and there will be opportunities to practice as well as to talk over your own dilemmas and challenges.

May 20, 2010: Topic to be announced

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METRO-BOSTON

ALLERGY & ASTHMA SUPPORT GROUP

Newton , MA

N-W Hospital is one quarter mile from the intersection of Routes 16 & 128 (I-95 – Exit 21/21A at Route 16 East ( Washington St .)

Leader: Cindy Aswad , Kathy Streeter

Medical Advisor: Curtis Moody , MD

March 16, 2010 Testing Children for Allergies:

How, When, Why (Speaker: Allergist Elizabeth Stutius, MD, Children’s Hospital Boston)

April 13, 2010 A Recipe for Food Allergy Management at School—

Being Prepared (Speaker: Jan Hanson, Educating for Food Allergies)

May 11, 2010 Food Allergies & Children:

How to Ease Their Anxiety and Build Their Self-Confidence (Speaker: Psychologist Lauren Blakely)

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MERRIMACK VALLEY ASTHMA & ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP

North Andover, MA

Meets at Atkinson Elementary School , 111 Phillips Brooks Rd., No. Andover , MA

Leaders: Linda Sullivan , RN, Mary Hadjian, RN, Gail Munro, RN, Kim Sousa

Medical Advisors: Kenneth Chan, MD, John Saryan , MD

March 10 Food Allergies: What Would YOU Do? - A discussion about how to handle real-life situations involving social situations, family interactions, and more. Scenarios will be presented for discussion, and there will be opportunities to practice as well as to talk over your own dilemmas and challenges.

April 14 “Baking for People with Food Allergies,” Jill Robbins, Founder of HomeFree Foods and author of baking cookbook. (Re-scheduled from December due to snow cancellation.)

Back to Calendar Directions go to top of page

METRO-WEST ALLERGY & ASTHMA SUPPORT GROUP

Framingham, MA

Meets at Allergy & Asthma Treatment Specialists, 475 Franklin St., Suite 206, Framingham (near intersection of Mt. Wayte Ave.)

April 14, 2010 “Making Milk Allergy History: One Family’s Successful Experience with Oral Immunotherapy” Speakers: Robyn and Brett Nasuti

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Nashoba Valley Asthma

& Allergy Educational

Support Group

Ayer, Ma

Meets at Nashoba Valley Medical Center , 200 Groton Road , Ayer, MA

Leaders: Terry Linsey, Ruth Lovett Smith

Medical Advisor: Jordan E. Scott, MD

Thursday, March 18, 2010
Parent Roundtable:
“Food Allergies: What Would YOU Do?"
A discussion of “real-life” situations faced by families who live with food allergies. Practice how to handle social situations, family dilemmas, and more. Bring your own challenges to discuss.

Back to Calendar Directions go to top of page

PIONEER VALLEY FOOD ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP

Ludlow, MA

Meets at St. John the Baptist Pastoral Center, 201 Hubbard St., Ludlow, MA

Meetings are generally held on the last Wednesday of the month.

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Shoreside Asthma & Allergy Educational Support Group

Pembroke , MA

Meets 7:00 pm at North Pembroke Elementary School , 72 Pilgrim Rd.

Dates and topics to be confirmed.

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Cape Cod Asthma & Allergy Group