[tntaylor]

#1060375

The Center for Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Adrenal Disease at Jersey Shore University Medical Center is interested in sponsoring a support group for Graves’ Disease patients and all others affected by this disease.

The Center is looking for volunteers to facilitate the support group who are familiar with Graves’ Disease and can:

Work with physician leadership to identify relevant topic needs & coordinate speakers

Establish and maintain group rules including confidentiality among participants.

Facilitate sharing of personal information from all participants by respectfully monitoring speaking time and encouraging input from all present.

Build community among participants.

Raise awareness and refer participants to other appropriate resources.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Megan Policastro at 732-776-4394 or e-mail MPolicastro@meridianhealth.com.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center
Member of the Meridian Health Family
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753

[Kimberly]

#1182287

Hello – The GDATF actually hosts support groups in several parts of the country, although there is not currently a group in NJ.

Before putting a candidate through the support group leader training process, we first ask – “do you NEED a support group or are you ready to LEAD a support group?” We get a lot of requests from patients who are newly diagnosed who say they want to start a group; however, we believe that people need to select a treatment option and get their thyroid levels stabilized before they are in a place where they can reach out to others. If the Center would be doing all of the logistical work in getting the group set up, then that does take some pressure off of the volunteer, but there is still a lot of time and energy required in running a support group. (I’ve been hosting one in Arizona for close to 4 years).

Just some food for thought – hope that you get a good response!

[Author]

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