109 Highland Ave

Needham, MA  02494

Phone:  781 444-7778 

Support Group Locations and

Meeting Schedules

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Each program has a physician advisor and a volunteer leader who together plan topics of interest. They meet in a variety of free 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 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

Merrimack Valley Asthma and Allergy Support Group   

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

Leaders: Linda Sullivan, RN; Mary Hadjian, RN; Gail Munro, RN

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

March 5, 2008  Open Forum:  "Living with Asthma and Allergies"  Bring your questions and concerns to discuss with pediatrician Kenneth Chan, MD, and school nurses Mary Hadjian, RN; Gail Munro, RN; and Linda Sullivan, RN

May 7, 2008  “Food Allergies and Your Child: Preparing for the Teen Years,”  Michele Carrick, LICSW

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Metro-Boston at Newton-Wellesley Hospital (Newton, MA)

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

Leaders: Deborah Elbaum, Kara Sullivan

Medical Advisor: Curtis Moody, MD  

Jan. 8, 2008  “Is it a cold, or is it an Allergy?”  Allergist Daniel Steinberg, MD on what to do about chronic symptoms such as cough, recurrent ear infections, asthma, headaches, and fatigue  

Feb. 12, 2008 “Food Allergies: Practical Tips from a Pediatric Allergist and a Father,”   

Speaker: Michael Pistiner, MD, Children's Hospital, Boston

March 11 "Food Allergy Parent Roundtable"  Share experiences and hear ideas from others about travel and vacation tips, summer programs, birthday parties, school lunches, visiting relatives, and more.

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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.) Directions

Leaders: Linda Drews, Lori Brockway

Medical Advisor: Stuart Rhein, MD  

April 9, 2008  "Food Allergies: Practical Tips from a Pediatric Allergist and a Father" Michael Pistiner, MD, Children's Hospital, Boston

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Nashoba Valley Asthma/Allergy Educational Support Group (Westford, MA)

Meets at Rita Miller Elementary School, 1 Mitchell Way, Westford , MA directions

Leader: Jean Claffey, RN

Medical Advisor: Jordan E. Scott, MD  

Feb 25, 2008   "The ABC's of Allergy Testing"  Speaker: Allergist Jordan Scott, MD

March 31, 2008  "Allergen-Free Foods: An Insider's Peek at Manufacturing and Shopping for Families with Food Allergies"  Speaker:  Jill Robbins, owner of Gak's Snaks

April 28, 2008  "Anxiety in Children with Food Allergies:  How to Support Your Child"  Speaker: Psychologist Jennifer LeBovidge, Ph.D., Children's Hospital, Boston

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Northwest Suburban Boston Area (Lexington, MA)

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

Directions: From 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  

Jan. 14, 2008  “Ask the Allergist,”  Bring your questions for Anahita Dioun, MD, Children’s Hospital

Feb. 11, 2008 "Nutrition Tips for Children with Food Allergies"  Speaker: Karen Warman, RD

March 10, 2008  "Food Allergy Parent Roundtable"  Share experiences and hear ideas from others about travel and vacation tips, summer programs, birthday parties, school lunches, visiting relatives, and more.

April 14, 2008  "Baking for People with Food Allergies"  Speaker: Amy Weinstock, Learn successful ingredient substitutions, recipes, and sources of special products.  Bring your tips to share.

May 12, 2008  "Food Allergies at School: Parent Perspectives"  Learn about food allergy policies and practices in various local school districts, and how to work effectively with the school nurse to develop a plan for your child for the coming school year.  Discuss your experiences and brainstorm options with other parents who share your concerns.

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Southeastern MA Food Allergy Parent Support Group (Foxboro, MA)
Meets third Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at Pediatric Specialists, 132 Central St., Suite 116, Foxboro (Exit 7B off Rt. 95 -Route 140 North; enter through North entrance in rear).

Leaders: Pat Mulligan, LICSW and Patricia Bates , RD

Medical Advisor: Donald Accetta, MD  

Jan. 17, 2008  “Working with Your Teen on Food Allergies,” Presentation and discussion led by Michele Carrick, LICSW, clinical social worker and mother of college student with multiple food allergies.

Feb 21, 2008  Parent Forum (open discussion)

March 20, 2008  "Understanding and protecting the Legal Rights of Students with Food Allergies," Attorney Tim Sindelar, Disability Rights Specialist

April 17, 2008  "Allergy-Free Cooking You Won't Even Miss It," Nancy MacDonald host of cable TV cooking show

May 15, 2008  Parent Forum (open discussion)

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Food Allergy Group of the North Shore (Salem, MA)

Meets at Salem Hospital, Davenport Conference Rooms - First floor) Directions

Leader: Cindy Blonder, 

Medical Advisor: James MacLean, MD

Jan. 10, 2008   “Food Allergies: Meet the Experts”   Bring your children to meet a panel of children and teens with food allergies.

March 6, 2008 “Ask the Allergist,” Cristina Palumbo, MD

April 3, 2008  Parent Roundtable on “Food Allergies at School”   Share strategies for working with the school this spring so that an individualized health plan will be in place for your child at the start of the next school year.

May 1, 2008 "The ABCs of Anaphylaxis" 

Speaker: James MacLean, MD

Come and meet the group’s new Medical Advisor!

Bring family members, babysitters, and friends to this important presentation.

Learn the signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, and how to prevent and treat one if it occurs.

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Waltham/Watertown Food Allergy Support Group (Waltham, MA)

Meets at Media Center of Waltham High School, 617 Lexington St. , Waltham

(Rt. 95, Exit 27A; Totten Pond Road to end and left onto Lexington St.; ¼ mile to campus entrance on the right.

Leaders: Marie DeSisto, RN; Cathy Vieira, RN, 

Medical Advisor: David Hackett, MD

Meetings not yet scheduled.

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Shoreside Asthma & Allergy Educational Support Group ( Pembroke , MA )
Meets at N. Pembroke Elementary School, 72 Pilgrim Rd.  (Directions)

Leader: Judi McAuliffe , RN,

Medical Advisor: John Costa, MD

April 2, 2008   

Food Allergy Parent Roundtable

Share ideas and resources; meet other parents of children with food allergies.

May 7, 2008   "Food Allergy Update: What's New in Research and Prevention?"

Speaker: Allergist Michael Young , MD, author of The Peanut Allergy Answer Book

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Food Allergy Group of the South Shore (South Weymouth, MA)
Meets 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at South Shore Hospital, 55 Fogg Rd, S.Weymouth.

Leader:  

Medical Advisor: Zuhayr Hemady, MD  

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Cape Cod Asthma & Allergy Group (Yarmouth Port, MA)
Meets at Allergy & Asthma Center for Cape Cod, 244 Willow St. , Yarmouth Port, MA

Call (508)362-0099 for information about upcoming meetings.

Medical Advisor:  Paul Sklarew, MD

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CONNECTICUT

Food & Latex Allergy Awareness Group 

South-Central CT (Milford, CT)
Meets at Milford Hospital .

Leaders: Heidi Gianquinto (203-393-3756); Colleen Inclima (203-393-3123)

Medical Advisors: Ramsay Fuleihan, MD, Frank Gruskay, MD, José G. Calderon, MD

Call leaders for dates and topics, or see www.flaaf.org

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Food Allergy Association of Connecticut FAACT 

(West Hartford, CT)

Leaders: Laura Austin (860)673-3443, Andrea Vest

Medical Advisors: Louis Mendelson, MD, Jeffrey Factor, MD, Jason Lee, MD

For  meeting location, dates and topics, call Laura or see www.faact.org. 

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Food Allergy Group of Southern N.H. (Nashua, NH)

Leaders:

Medical Advisor: Julian Melamed, MD

Meetings not yet scheduled.

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RHODE ISLAND

RHODE ISLAND ALLERGY AND ASTHMA EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP

Meets 7—8:30 p.m. at Asthma & Allergy Physicians of Rhode Island, 1056 Hope St, Providence , RI

Leader: Toby F. Weiser , PA-C

Medical Advisor: John F. Zwetchkenbaum, MD

Jan. 28, 2008  “Allergy Shots or Drops?  New Options for Treating Your Allergies”    Learn about a new method of allergy treatment which uses drops under the tongue to help control allergies.  It has been widely used in Europe and is now available here.   Speaker: Allergist John Zwetchkenbaum, MD

March 31 "Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Children with Food Allergies"

Speaker: Katelyn Ariagno, Registered Dietitian, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital

May 19, 2008    “Allergy Testing”   Learn about blood testing vs. skin testing for foods and environmental allergens

Speakers: Toby F. Weiser, PA-C and Amanda Matteson, PA-C

Physician Assistants

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