Living With Serious Illness

Meeting with others who are in the same situation offers a unique opportunity to share feelings and gain valuable tips. Some groups meet for a set number of weeks, others are drop-in. Check for daytime and evening offerings. As a rule, support groups are offered free of charge, however you should call ahead to find out the particulars.

Compassionate Friends
National office 630-990-0010, or toll-free 877-969-0010
Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization with local chapters, offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. There is no religious affiliation and there are no membership dues or fees. The group is run by "seasoned grievers" who reach out to the newly bereaved. National website includes link to chat room and online brochure for siblings, as well as the ability to find out current contact information for the chapter leader in your area.
P. O. Box 3696
Oak Brook,  IL    60522

GriefNet.org
A national website with over 50 facilitated e-mail support groups covering topics such as loss of a parent, loss of a spouse/partner, loss of sibling or friend, spiritual aspects of loss, etc. Each topic has subtopics, such as young widowed, widowed with children, grief moving on, etc. Enjoy the flexibility of 24 hour a day, 7 day a week access. Some people often find the anonymity of an internet support group more healing.

Please Note: The Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center does not specifically endorse the activities of these organizations, but offers their information as a sample of the kinds of materials and services that are available.