DuPage Co. support groups

TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a nonprofit weight loss support group. Details about the meetings are available at www.tops.org or call Kyleen at (630) 966-8901 or (800) 932-8677.

• The West Chicago chapter meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at First Congregational Church, 525 N. Neltnor Blvd., West Chicago. For details, call Donna at (630) 393-6223.

Teen parents: A Teen Parent Support Group sponsored by the Teen Parent Connection and DuPage Township will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the township office, 241 Canterbury Lane, Bolingbrook. The group is for anyone ages 13-21 currently pregnant or parenting. Those attending can earn free diapers, formula and baby food. Parents are encouraged to bring their children. For details, call Pam DiGioia at (630) 790-8433, ext. 307.

ANAD: The Eating Disorders support group for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders for adults, teens, children with eating disorders and their families meets from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays at Linden Oaks Hospital, 852 West St., Naperville. For details, call (630) 305-5069.

• ANAD, the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders, will hold a support group meeting for men and women with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating and over-eating disorders at 11 a.m. Saturdays at 27W350 Highlake Road, Winfield, in Room 208 of Behavioral Health Services. The meeting is free. For details, call Francoise Mastroianni at (630) 346-9266.

Alzheimer support: An Alzheimer Association Support Group meets at 2 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at St. Patrick's Residence, 1400 Brookdale Road, Naperville. For details, call Linda Newman at (630) 964-1199.

• An Alzheimer's Association support group for caregivers meets at 10:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Oak Brook Healthcare Centre, 2013 Midwest Road, Oak Brook. For details, call (630) 495-0220.

• Alden of Waterford offers a support group for caregivers, family members and friends of the memory-impaired from 2 to 3 p.m. the fourth Thursday at Alden Courts, 1991 Randi Drive, Aurora. For details, call Jody Kanikula at (630) 851-1466.

Stroke: The South East Association for Special Parks And Recreation offers a support group for those who have survived a stroke and their caregivers from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Hinsdale Hospital, 120 N. Oak St., Hinsdale. The group offers special events and speakers. Most programs are free.

For details or to register, call SEASPAR at (630) 960-7600 or Hinsdale Hospital at (630) 856-7900.

Caregiver: Metropolitan Family Services DuPage will offer a support group for caregivers from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Independence Village, 1030 Aurora Ave., Naperville. The program is free. For details, call Kelly at (630) 784-4839.

• The Ecumenical Support Services for the Elderly's Adult Day Center offers a Caregiver Support group at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For details or to register, call Nancie Barry or Cathy Davit at (630) 260-3773.

DBSA: The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance sponsors support groups for patients, family and friends. Meetings are in the Oak Rooms in the Physicians Office Center of Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 W. Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Patient meetings are at 1 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Friends and family meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays. For details, e-mail dbsawest@yahoo.com or call (630) 484-3272.

• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Elmhurst New Hope Chapter meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Elmhurst Memorial Guidance Center, 183 N. York Road, Elmhurst. The group is for adults 18 and older. The first Tuesday is education night open to all members, family and friends and meets at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, in the cafeteria annex, 200 Berteau. For details, call Margaret Reid at (630) 279-6347 or (630) 415-3641.

PFLAG DuPage: The DuPage support group for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays meets from 2 to 4 p.m. the third Sunday of each month at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For details, visit the Web site at www.pflagdupage.org or call (630) 375-7756.

PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 17 W. Maple St., Hinsdale. For details, call the help line at (630) 415-0622 or (773) 935-2398, or visit www.pflagchicago.com.

Glen Ellyn groups: The Meadows will offer these support groups at 60 N. Nicoll Ave., Glen Ellyn.

• New Visions, a low-vision support group, meets at 10:30 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month. Professionals from the community are invited to talk about products and coping with low vision for older adults with visual impairment.

• A Parkinson's disease support group meets at 10 a.m. the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings include guest speakers and tai chi exercise for older adults diagnosed with the disease and their family members. A caregivers' and family members support group meets at 10:30 a.m. the first Tuesday.

• The Living with Losses Support Group for older adults who have recently lost a loved one will meet at 2 p.m. the second Thursday of the month.

For details about these groups, call Maureen Dixon at (630) 446-1527.

Scleroderma: The Suburban Scleroderma Support Group will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the Roselle Public Library, 40 S. Park St., Roselle. For details, visit the Web site at www.scleroderma.org or call (630) 894-2717.

• The Chicago Support Group of the Scleroderma Foundation will meet the second Saturday of each month at 203 N. Wabash, seventh floor conference room, Chicago. The group will address issues about the chronic auto-immune disease when the immune system attacks its own body. For details, call Christine at (312) 480-1728.

Chronic pain:ŒThe Marianjoy Chronic Pain Support Group is a discussion group for individuals diagnosed with a variety of pain including fibromyalgia, SI joint dysfunction, back pain and headaches. The group meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. the first Thursday of each month. There is no fee to attend. For details and location, call Angelique Strand at (630) 268-7536.

Infertility: A support group for couples seeking information about infertility will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Quest Clinical Services, 4300 Commerce Court, Suite 310, Lisle. For details, call Celeste Sorensen at (630) 544-3324, ext. 15.

Essential Tremor:ŒThe West Suburban ET Support Group, part of the International ET Foundation, meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, Duane and Prospect, Glen Ellyn. The group is for those diagnosed with ET and their caregivers. For details, call Douglas Ward at (630) 790-1342.

Gam Anon:ŒLocal meetings of Gam-Anon offer support for the loved ones of compulsive gamblers and ways to protect themselves and regain peace of mind. The groups will meet at the following locations. For details, visit the Web site at www.gam-anon.org or call (708) 802-0105.

• 7 p.m. Thursdays at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle.

• 6 p.m. Sundays at St. Joseph Hospital, 77 N. Airlite St., Elgin.

Overeaters:ŒThe Overeaters Anonymous is a 12-step recovery program for people struggling with food eating disorders. The group's Newcomer/Speaker meeting is from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 3910 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. For details, call Evelyn at (630) 653-8608.

Eagle's Wings: The Rick Foundations sponsors Eagle's wings, a grief support group for parents who have experienced the death of their child due to illegal substance abuse. The group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every other Tuesday at the Lisle Library, 777 Front St., Lisle. For details, call Pat DeAngelo at (630) 369-2846.

Visually impaired:ŒThe DuPage Center for Independent Living will hold a monthly visually impaired support group from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month at the center, 739 Roosevelt Road, Building 8, Suite 109, Glen Ellyn. The free group is open to residents who are blind or visually impaired. For details call Pat Byrne at (630) 469-2300.

Organ Transport:ŒThe Organ Transport Support group will hold its monthly meetings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of the month at the North Pavilion, Good Samaritan Hospital, 3715 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. The agency's national headquarters are in Naperville. Meetings are free and open to the community. Membership fees are nominal and waived for those who cannot afford them. For details, call (630) 527-8640.

Lupus:ŒThe Naperville Lupus Support Group meets evenings on a monthly basis and offers patients, families and friends of those with lupus support. For details, call Patty at (630) 527-8723 or the Lupus Foundation at (312) 542-0002.

Lung cancer:ŒThe Lung Cancer Networking Group for lung cancer survivors and their families will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Central DuPage Hospital Breast Health conference room, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield. Those attending should use the east entrance, take the elevator to the first floor and watch for signs. For details, call Pat Mellinger at (630) 933-5286.

Central DuPage Hospital: Joint ventures is a free class for those scheduled to undergo joint replacement surgery and meets at 9 a.m. for hip replacement and 11 a.m. for knee replacement the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at Central DuPage Health Conference Center, 0S033 Church St., Winfield. Call the Joint Ventures Hotline at (630) 933-4234.

• The American Liver Foundation Support Group will meet for patients, family and friends for all types of liver disease including viral and forms of hepatitis at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the Winfield Room at CDH, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield. Call (630) 399-5709.

• A free, support for mothers and infants meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at Charlestowne Convenient Care Building, 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles. There is no fee for this drop-in program.

• A smoking cessation support group, Nicotine Anonymous program, meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Winfield Room at Central DuPage Hospital. For details, call (630) 933-5286.

• The bariatric treatment informational meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second Monday of every month at the Central DuPage Health Conference Center, 0S033 Church St., Winfield. To register, call (630) 933-4234.

The bariatric post-operative support group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the third Monday at Central DuPage Health Conference Center. A support group for Lap-Band patients will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the fourth Monday at the center. Call (630) 933-6745.

Aquatics exercise classes designed for bariatric patients and low-impact exercise classes are held each week at Wheaton Sports Center, 1000 W. Prairie Ave., Wheaton. Chair aerobics, low-impact aerobics, exercise ball aerobic classes and personal training sessions are available at the CDH Conference Center, 0S033 Church St., Winfield. Call (630) 933-4234.

The bariatric nutrition support group meets from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. the third Wednesday at CDH Conference Center. Call (630) 933-6745.

• The group for individuals with eating disorders including bulimia, anorexia nervosa and compulsive eating, Overeaters Anonymous, meets from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays at Behavorial Health Services, Dining Room, 27W350 High Lake Road, Winfield. This is a 12-step program. Call (630) 653-4000.

• The Y-Me Breast Cancer Support Group for survivors and those currently in treatment meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Charlestowne Convenient Care, Lower Level, 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles. Call (630) 513-6681.

• The Low Vision Support Group teaches useful skills for adapting to visual impairment and meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at CDH Conference rooms. Call (630) 690-7115.

• The Living with Lupus Support Group provides emotional support and insights for adults living with lupus and meets form 10 a.m. to noon the second Thursday of each month at Danada Convenient Care, Lower Level, 7 Blanchard Circle, Wheaton. Call (630) 293-1727.

• The Postpartum Depression Support and Educational Group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at CDH. Husbands and partners are welcome to attend on the first Monday of each month. Call (630) 933-1964.

• The Mended Hearts support group for adults living with heart disease meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. the third Monday at CDH. Call (630) 933-3230.

• The HAND or Holding Our Angels Near and Dear support group provides emotional and social support for those who have lost a baby, including loss during pregnancy, and meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the third Monday at Danada Convenient Care. Call (630) 582-0874.

• The senior aerobic exercise class, Fit for Life, offers low impact workouts to music and meets from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the activity room of Wyndemere Retirement Community, 200 Wyndemere Circle, Wheaton. There is a drop-in fee of $3 for this class; no registration is required. Call (630) 933-4234.

The Sit 'n Fit chair exercise class meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the activity room of Wyndemere Retirement Community. There is a drop-in fee of $3; no registration is required. Call (630) 933-4234.

Gentle Yoga for seniors meets from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays in the auditorium of Wyndemere. There is a drop-in fee of $3; no registration is required. Call (630) 933-4234.

The Arthritis Exercise class meets from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Wyndemere. There is a drop-in fee of $3; no registration is required.

For a complete list of classes, visit Central DuPage Health's Web site at www.cdh.org or call (630) 933-4234.

Children of cancer patients:ŒThe new Edward Cancer Center is offering a special support group for children who have parents with cancer from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays in the second floor conference room of the Cancer Center, Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St., Naperville. Parents will meet in a separate conference room for their own support group. The program is free and participants need not be patients of the hospital. Advance registration is requested by calling Julie Hill at (630) 646-6111.

Military:ŒFamily Vigil Support Group will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. the third Sunday of each month at Grace United Methodist church, 300 E. Gartner Road, Room 250, Naperville. The group is for military families of any branch of service including reserves. Socials are held in between meetings. For details, call Susan Blake at (630) 961-5938 or e-mail Joyisours@sbcglobal.net.

Mended Hearts:ŒMended Hearts Chapter 102, a support grou for people who have undergone a heart procedure, meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at Alexian Brothers Hospital, conference rooms 1 and 2, 800 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove. All family members and friends are welcome. For details, clal Tom Brown at (630) 893-2959.

60+ for Women:ΠMetropolitan Family Services DuPage will hold a 60+ Women's Support group with ongoing sessions from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York St., Elmhurst. The group is open to women from all areas of DuPage for emotional support to deal with depression, widowhood, strained relationships, feelings of isolation, grief and health problems. There is no free but contributions are welcome. Medicare may be billed in some cases. Registration is required. For details, call Jill Bederman at (630) 833-1353.

Grief: The Grief Support Group for those experiencing a recent loss will meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays year round except for holidays at Edward Hospital Education Center, 801 S. Washington, Naperville. No fee or registration is required. For details, call Chaplain Karen Swiderski at (630) 527-5256.

Adoption:ŒAn adoption support group is forming for waiting parents in DuPage County. The group is parents also waiting and sharing tips on completing the process. The group will meet Mondays. For details, call (630) 971-5074 or visit the Web site at www.adoptionservicesgroup.com.

Women's: The YWCA West Suburban Center in Glen Ellyn offers a series of support groups for women of the community at the center, 739 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn. Groups meet weekly from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a 10-week cycle. Groups include divorce, general support, young women ages 20-28 and stress management. Two classes from 8 to 9 p.m. are Tai Chi Chih and meditation and well-being. A registration interview is scheduled for $50 for each support group, $20 per session and $10 per session class fees. Sliding scale fee may be arranged. For details, call Rose Stewart at (630) 790-6600, ext. 248.

Scleroderma:ŒThe Suburban Scleroderma Support Group will meet the third Sunday of the month at the Roselle Public Library, 40 S. Park St. All meetings are open to family and friends of those who have Scleroderma or want to know more about the disease, a chronic auto-immune disease that attacks the body's immune system tissues and falls into the category with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. For details, visit the web site at www.scleroderma.org or call (630) 894-2727.

Bereaved parents:ŒA monthly support group for parents who have lost a child is offered through the MISS Foundation. For a list of the local groups, visit the web site at www.missfoundationillinois.org or call (630) 582-0874.

Suicide Survivors:ŒSurvivors of Suicide is a support group for family members or friends who have lost someone to suicide and meets the third Monday of the month at The Advent Church, 905 N. Edgelawn, Aurora. The group is not church affiliated. There is no fee or registration. For details, call (630) 897-9699.