Look in your local newspaper on the right day of the week and you will see dozens of support groups listed. The reason? Support groups are a valuable resource for people trying to cope with something new. For transplant patients and their families, the groups provide a place to learn, compare stories, and talk about fears, frustrations, and triumphs.

The structure of support groups varies. Some are large, some are small; some are led by health professionals, others are organized by members; some focus on emotional support, others have more varied agendas. It is safe to say that all groups provide a strong degree of moral support for their members. It is hard to imagine that anyone facing transplantation wouldn't benefit from belonging to a support group, and we encourage you to find one in your area that fits your needs. Whether you are pre- or post-transplant, you have much to gain (and much to offer).

As always, we encourage you to start your search with your transplant center. Some have very active groups. Or you can try one or more of the groups listed on the following pages. TRIO can be a very valuable resource. If there is nothing in your area, consider starting one. TRIO Nation's Capital Area Chapter would be happy to help you set up a satellite group in your area.

Note: The support groups in this section are loosely listed into the following categories: General, Hospital-Sponsored, Kidney, Liver, Heart, Bone-Marrow, and Family Members. There is specialty and/or overlap among the categories (for example, the hospital sponsored group at Shady Grove Hospital is targeted specifically at kidney patients), so scan the descriptions of all the groups when looking for one that suits you.