Support Groups

“ A support group can be life saving for a patient and family during their critical recovery period. I have been amazed by the commitment, the diligence and camaraderie of their members. I have been deeply impressed by the benefit my patients and their families have received by interacting with others who have survived the same ordeal. I salute the organizers of The Joe Niekro Foundation™ for all the good that they do, and am deeply grateful for the benefit my patients have received because of their efforts.”

Dr. Robert F. Spetzler
Director Emeritus, Barrow Neurological Institute
Chairman Emeritus and President, Barrow Neurosurgical Associates
Professor of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ

Why Become Part of A Support Group

Social support is exceptionally important in the recovery process and social isolation is considered to be a risk factor for a poor outcome after having a Brain Aneurysm/AVM/Hemorrhagic Stroke. Most hospitals do not offer patients and families ongoing support and rehabilitation for these conditions post discharge. It is our goal to bridge the gap and encourage collaboration, resulting in a more comprehensive support program for survivors and their families.

Our meetings address issues such as depression, social reintegration, coping with disabilities, nutritional brainpower, exercising your brain and much more.  JNF empowers members by offering information and emotional support, which is monumental in promoting good health and an improved quality of life. The Joe Niekro Support Groups can play a vital role for both survivor and family members by providing emotional and moral support. Members of support groups receive help by learning new coping strategies, relating personal experiences, obtaining information from health professionals and establishing social networks. JNF Support Groups help others realize that recovery is possible and designed to motivate attendees to follow wellness plans and make a difference in the community while creating a forum of mutual acceptance, understanding and self – discovery.

When you meet with others who have endured the same struggle or have suffered the same health conditions, you’re encouraged. You discover your issues are not unique. Other people understand exactly what you’re going through. You’re one of a group, rather than one of a kind.

Most groups are currently meeting virtually. Please contact your local support group to gain access to the Zoom login and meeting codes.

If a Brain Aneurysm/AVM/Hemorrhagic Stroke support group does not exist in your area and you are interested in starting one, please contact: ronica@joeniekrofoundation.org.

JNF Support Group Locations

 

Arkansas

• • Little Rock, AR – Baptist Health

Arizona

• • Phoenix, AZ – Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix

California

• • Los Angeles, CA – Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

• • Riverside, CA – Riverside Community Hospital

• • Sacramento and Central Valley, CA – UC Davis Ambulatory Care Center

• • San Diego, CA – Scripps Green Hospital

• • San Francisco and Bay Area, CA – UCSF

Colorado

• • Denver, CO – Swedish Medical Center

• • Littleton, CO – Adventist Hospital

District of Columbia

• • Washington DC – Medstar Washington Hospital Center

Florida

• • Fort Lauderdale, FL – Florida Medical Center

• • Jacksonville, FL – Baptist Health Hospital

• • Miami, FL – Baptist Hospital

• • West Palm Beach, FL – St. Mary’s Medical Center

Georgia

• • Atlanta, GA –  Kennestone Hospital Outpatient Rehab Center

Idaho

• Meridian ID- St. Luke’s Meridian

Illinois

• • Joliet, IL – Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center

Louisiana

• New Orleans LA – Ochsner Medical Center

Massachusetts

• • Boston, MA – Massachusetts General Hospital

Maine

• • Portland, ME – Maine Medical Center

Michigan

• • Wyoming, MI – Metro Health Conference Center

• • Detroit, MI – DMC Medical Group, Partnering with Harper University Hospitality

• • Saginaw, MI – HealthSource Saginaw

Missouri

• • St. Louis, MO – St. Anthony’s Medical Center

New Jersey

• • Paramus, NJ – Valley Health

New York

• • Bronx, NY – Montefiore Hospital

• • Rome, NY – Rome Memorial Hospital

• • Syracuse, NY – Crouse Hospital

North Carolina

• • Charlotte, NC – Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates

• • Greensboro, NC -Cone Health and Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine

• • Winston-Salem, NC – Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center

Ohio

• • Columbus, OH – Riverside Methodist Hospital

• • Middleburg, OH – Southwest General Health Center

• • Toledo, OH – ProMedica Toledo Hospital

Oklahoma

• • Oklahoma City, OK -Harold Hamm Diabetes Center

• • Tulsa, OK – St. John Medical Center

Rhode Island

• • Providence, RI – Rhode Island Hospital

South Carolina

• • Charleston, SC – Medical University of South Carolina

• • Columbia, SC – Palmetto Health Richland

Tennessee

• • Johnson City, TN – Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church

Texas

• • Dallas – Zale Liphsy Hospital

• • El Paso – University Medical Center of El Paso

• • Houston, TX – Baylor College of Medicine

• • Houston, TX – Houston Methodist Neurological Institute

• • Kingwood, TX – Kingwood Medical Center

• • Plano, TX – Medical City Health

Virginia

• • Newport News, VA – Riverside Regional Medical Center

• Richmond, VA – St. Mary’s Hospital

• • Charlottesville, VA – University of Virginia Health System

Washington

• • Tacoma, WA – MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital

West Virginia

• • Huntington, WV – St. Mary’s Center for Education

Canada

• • Saskatoon, SK – Edwards Family Centre

JNF Online Support Groups

Brain Aneurysm/AVM Support Group sponsored by The Joe Niekro Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/aneurysmavm/

Parents of Brain Aneurysm/AVM Children Support Group sponsored by The Joe Niekro Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsBAAVM/

Young Adult Brain Aneurysm/AVM Survivors Group sponsored by The Joe Niekro Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngadultaneurysmsurvivors/

Brain Aneurysm/AVM Caregiver Support Group sponsored by The Joe Niekro Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/caregiversbrainaneurysm/

Brain Aneurysm/AVM Honoring the Taken Support Group sponsored by The Joe Niekro Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HonoringTheTaken/