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 or co-leaders 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 6:45 p.m. 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

Please arrive before 7:00 p.m., to avoid being restricted by the building's automatic door locking system!
Jan. 14, 2013
Roundtable: "Meeting the Challenges of Food Allergies and Asthma in 2013"

Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 POSTPONED DUE TO SNOW; SEE APRIL 8
“Common Food Allergy and Asthma Symptoms and What to Do about Them.”
Speaker: allergist David Gruenberg, MD, Lahey Clinic, Burlington , MA
Are you bothered by chronic hives, a stuffy nose, breathing or digestive problems, or other symptoms that may or may not be related to allergies? Are your symptoms chronic (always there) or do they come and go? How do you know when an allergic reaction or asthma flare-up is serious and what steps to take? Do you know how to communicate with your child or your doctor about monitoring allergy symptoms? Bring your questions and concerns to discuss with a knowledgeable specialist!

Monday, March 11, 2013 at 6:45 p.m.
"The ABCs of Food Allergies"
Speaker: allergist Lisa Bartnikas, MD, Children's Hospital, Boston
Get an introduction or review of the "basics" PLUS answers to your current questions about food allergy triggers, when and how to test for allergies and interpret the results, new approaches to treating food allergies, and more! See a demonstration of new Auvi-Q epinephrine injector device.

Monday, April 8, 2013 at 6:45 p.m.
“Common Food Allergy and Asthma Symptoms and What to Do about Them.”
Speaker: allergist David Gruenberg, MD, Lahey Clinic, Burlington , MA
Are you bothered by chronic hives, a stuffy nose, breathing or digestive problems, or other symptoms that may or may not be related to allergies? Are your symptoms chronic (always there) or do they come and go? How do you know when an allergic reaction or asthma flare-up is serious and what steps to take? Do you know how to communicate with your child or your doctor about monitoring allergy symptoms? Bring your questions and concerns to discuss with a knowledgeable specialist!

May 13, 2013 at 6:45 p.m.
"How to Advocate for Your Food Allergic Child"
Speaker: Laurel Francoeur, attorney and support group leader
Topics will include meeting with the school, your rights, accommodation plans and how to enforce them, and wooking with the school to get what your child needs.

Calendar go to top of page

METRO-BOSTON

ALLERGY & ASTHMA SUPPORT GROUP

Meets at: Newton-Wellesley Hospital, 2012 Washington Sts., 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 .)

Leader: Cindy Aswad

Medical Advisor: Curtis Moody , MD

Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

Tues., Feb. 12, 2013
"Food Allergy: Treatment Update"
Learn about the latest thinking and innovative approaches to living safely with food allergies.
Speaker: allergist Jessica Savage, MD, Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Dr. Savage recently completed her training in allergy and immunology at Johns Hopkins where she conducted several studies of food allergy epidemiology and treatment with Dr. Robert Wood, an internationally recognized leader in the field of food allergy. She recently joined the faculty of Brigham & Women's Hospital and is currently seeing patients at its offices at 850 Boylston St. in Chestnut Hill and at Faulkner Hospital . Her current research is related to chemical exposures and their potential role in causing allergy. She is also interested in developing better diagnostic tools and treatments for food allergy.

Monday, March 18, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
”Ask the Allergist”
Speaker: allergist Curt Moody, MD
Join a free-wheeling informal conversation with the group’s Medical Advisor about topics that are on YOUR mind. Bring your expired epinephrine injectors for a practice session. Dr. Moody will be demonstrating and discussing Auvi-Q, a new epinephrine device.

Monday, April 22, 2013
"Changing Concepts in Food Allergy"
Speaker: Allergist Michael Young, MD
Learn about current research on treatments for food allergy, including oral immunotherapy and the Chinese herbal medicine trials, and review key points of the national food allergy guidelines.

Save the date for last meeting of the season: :
Monday, May 20, 2013
"Food Allergies at School: How to Advocate for Your Food Allergic Child"
Speaker: Laurel Francoeur, Esq.
Hear from an attorney and experienced food allergy mom about meeting with the school, accommodation plans, your rights and how to enforce them to get what your child needs.

Calendar go to top of page

Cape Cod Asthma & Allergy Group

Yarmouth Port , MA

Food allergy support group meets at 4:00 p.m. on the last Monday of the month.
Call 508-362-0099 to confirm dates and topics.

Calendar go to top of page

FOOD ALLERGY GROUP

of the NORTH SHORE

Salem , MA

Meets at Salem Hospital, Davenport Conference Room 103 - First floor

Leaders: Cindy Blonder, Denise Orlando

Medical Advisor: James MacLean

Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.
Wed., March 13, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Food Allergy Research at Children's Hospital
Speaker: allergist Rima Rachid, MD
Children's Hospital - Boston and Peabody
Learn about current research Dr. Rachid and others are doing to develop new treatments for food allergies, plus get an introduction or review of the "basics" of managing food allergies. Bring your questions.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Topic: "Food Allergy: The Old and The New"
Hear about the evolving thinking about how to manage food allergy safely.
Speaker: allergist James MacLean, MD

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
"Food Allergies at School: How to Advocate for Your Food Allergic Child"
Speaker: Laurel Francoeur, Esq.
Hear from an attorney and experienced food allergy mom about meeting with the school, accommodation plans, your rights and how to enforce them to get what your child needs.

Dates and topics of future meetings will be announced when plans are confirmed.

Calendar go to top of page

MARTHA'S VINEYARD ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP

Meets 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Library Conference Room

Leaders: Moira Silva, Marney Toole

Medical Advisor: Karen Casper, MD

Sept. 27, 2012 "Successful parenting strategies for your school and community," Speakers: Christine and Mark Mulvey.

Time: please RSVP with your preference (either 5:30-7:00 with dinner and child care or 6:30 - 8:00 with light refreshment and child care reimbursement as needed). Call Marney O'Toole at 508-696-7900, ext. 283 or e-mail mtoole216@hotmail.com.

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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

Dates and topics of 2013 meetings will be announced when plans are confirmed.

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.)

Leaders: Linda Drews, Lori Brockway

Medical Advisor: Stuart Rhein, MD

Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 24, 2012 - “Food Allergies: A Recipe for Success at School,” Speaker: Jan Hanson, MA, founder of Educating for Food Allergies, LLC and author of new handbook for parents and school personnel.

Dec. 5, 2012 "Educating and Empowering Our Kids to Manage their Food Allergiess," Speaker: allergist Michael Pistiner, MD. Learn how to give your children the information and confidence they need. Dr. Pistiner has a unique perspective as both an allergist and a parent of a child with food allergies. He is the author of a book for children and parents: Everyday Cool with Food Allergies.

Dates and topics of 2013 meetings will be announced when plans are confirmed.

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Shoreside Asthma & Allergy Educational Support Group

Kingston, MA

Meets at 7:00 p.m. at Wingate – The Inn at Silver Lake, 17 Chipman Way, Kingston, MA (less than half mile from intersection of Pembroke St./Rt. 27 and Lake St.)

Leaders: Elise Thomas, Melissa Haas

Medical Advisor: John Costa, MA

Sept. 13, 2012 Topic: Community Open Forum on Allergy-Friendly Classrooms
This is an opportunity for parents of students both with and without food allergies to discuss allergy-friendly classroom policies, safe snack ideas, and more. Invite members of your child's classroom to join you for this meeting.

Nov. 8, 2012 - “Food Allergies: A Recipe for Success at School,” Speaker: Jan Hanson, MA, founder of Educating for Food Allergies, LLC and author of new handbook for parents and school personnel.

Jan. 24, 2013 - "Desensitization Procedures for Food Allergies," Speaker< allergist John Costa, MD

March 28, 2013 Roundtable Discussion

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PIONEER VALLEY FOOD ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP

Ludlow, MA

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

Leaders: Nicole Sweeney, Lucy Saloio, Lisa Holloway

Medical Advisor: Jonathan Bayuk, DO

Meetings have generally been held on the last Wednesday of the month. Plans are being made for possible weekend meetings. Call for info: 781 444 7778

The following groups are currently inactive and seeking new leaders and/or meeting sites:

Southeastern MA

FOOD ALLERGY PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

Foxboro, MA

Leader:

Medical Advisor: Donald Accetta, MD

Nashoba Valley

Asthma & Allergy Educational Support Group

Ayer, Ma

Formerly met at Nashoba Valley Medical Center , 200 Groton Road , Ayer, MA

Leader:

Medical Advisor: Jordan E. Scott, MD

RHODE ISLAND

ALLERGY & ASTHMA EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP

Providence , RI

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

Leader: Toby Weiser

Medical Advisor: John Zwetchkenbaum, MD go to top of page

FOOD ALLERGY GROUP of the South Shore

(Formerly met at South Shore Hospital)

FOOD ALLERGY GROUP of Southern New Hampshire