Additional Area Support Groups
Please note most groups are currently not meeting in person. Some are conducting virtual meetings. Please check with the contact person to confirm.
Northwest Community Hospital
The Northwest Community Hospital Ostomy Support Group meets at 800 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights. We meet the 2nd Thursday every other month at 1:00 PM; February, April, June, August, October, December. Meetings in The Learning Center on the lower level (B1) of the Busse Center. Follow the signs to LC 1. Parking in the attached garage is free. Contact Elizabeth Perry 847-618-3215 or eperry@nch.org
Rush University Medical Center/Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Chicago
Professional Building
1725 W. Harrison St. Suite 1138 – Conference Room
Chicago, IL 60612 *Parking for main garage will be validated
First Thursday of every month, 5:30 p.m.
The Rush Ostomy Support Group is open to anyone with a bowel or urinary diversion (ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy); their supporting family, caregiver, spouse or significant other; and anyone considering a possible diversion surgery. You do not have to be a patient at Rush to attend. Meetings will often include informative guest speakers as well as an open forum where participants can ask questions and discuss ostomy-related issues. Speakers will include colon and rectal surgeons, urologists, gynecologists, pharmacists, dietitians, appliance vendors, ostomy nurses, psychologists, and others. Topics will include the following: Ostomy construction basics, Advanced procedures, Complications of ostomies including hernia and prolapse, Pouching techniques and options, Nutrition, Coping techniques, Specific conditions that may result in an ostomy, such as colon, rectal, prostate or other cancers, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal motility disorders, and related birth defects.
Before or after the talk there will be time for socializing. Meetings are informal and no registration is required. *Light refreshments will be served.
Southwest Suburban Chicago
Meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the third Monday of each month throughout the year, except July, August, December, and January. We meet at Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2800 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park – Rm 1702 Contact Nancy Oleksy, 708-499-4043, email nanook60@sbcglobal.net OR swscost@gmail.com
Sherman Hospital, Elgin
Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00 PM in Conference Room B on the lower level. Contact Heather LaCoco 224-783-2458, morgan.coconate@advocatehealth.com
Ostomy Support Group of DuPage County
We meet at Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, IL, the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Red and Black Oak Rooms near the cafeteria. All well-intentioned people are invited to attend. Our meetings are offered free-of-charge to anyone interested in seeking emotional support and education regarding the life saving procedures of ostomy surgery. Contact Bret Cromer 630-479-3101, bret.cromer@gmail.com
Lake County Illinois Ostomy Association
Contact Judy Gaughan, millygone13@aol.com
We meet at 10:00 a.m., on the 3rd Saturday, every other month, at Hollister in Libertyville. We hold meetings in January, March, May, July, September and November.
Hollister is located at 2000 Hollister Drive, in Libertyville. This is across Milwaukee (Rt. 21) from the Cuneo Museum and just north of Rt. 60 off of Milwaukee. After turning off of Milwaukee onto Hollister Drive, 2000 is the first road on the right. Just follow it back to the parking lot and office building. Check with security after entering the building to find out which conference room we are meeting in.
We have a lot of general discussions, which are a great time to ask questions and gather input from other ostomates on any problems you may be having. It’s also a great time to share successes too! Success stories are wonderful for new ostomates or those having concerns about trying something new. We also have occasional speakers on topics of interest.
Kankakee
Contact Us! For questions, program ideas, a ride to meetings, to visit with another ostomate…
kankakeeostomy@gmail.com
Meetings are held at 2:00 PM the last Saturday of January, February, March, April, July, August, September, and October in the Board Room of Riverside Medical Center, 350 N. Wall St., Kankakee, IL 60901. A June picnic and a December holiday party bring the total meetings per year to 10. Charlie Grotevant, President 815-842-3710 or 815-949-1551 charliegrtvnt@gmail.com
Grundy County, Morris IL
Monthly Meetings at 11:00 AM, the 3rd Saturday at Grundy Administration Bldg., 1320 Union St., Morris, IL. Contact Judy Morey at 815-592-5717 or Kelly Hitt at 815-941-6818.
Loyola University Health System, Maywood
The 2nd Wednesday of the month from 7:15pm to 9:00pm in the Cardinal Bernadine Cancer Center 2nd floor Auditorium A. Parking across from the Cancer Center is free at night. Contact Robin Handibode 708-205-6664, rccrusoe@yahoo.com or Nanci Stark, WOCN 708-216-8554, nhstark@lumc.edu
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso Ostomy Support Group meets the 4th Thursday 6:30pm- 8:00pm January – October at Porter Regional Hospital Community Room (1st floor) 85 E US Hwy 6 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 Contact: Sarah Grcich 219-309-5939 or 219-983-8780 sarah.grcich@porterhealth.com
Michele Kaplan-Jones 219-406-0019