Lead a Support Group
Our Network of Support Educates and Connects Leaders
Are you interested in starting a pulmonary fibrosis support group? The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation can provide you with the information and resources you will need to develop and run your support group. We can assist you in promoting your group to our members and provide you with PFF educational materials to share with your group.
Our Support Group Leader Network provides a forum for pulmonary fibrosis support group leaders to interact, exchange ideas, and discuss best practices. Launched in 2012, the Network assists leaders in gaining the knowledge and resources to establish or host a support group.
For further information, please contact the PFF Help Center at 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or help@pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
Support Group Leader Guide
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Support Group Leader Guide provides an overview of PF support group basics, meeting fundamentals, and potential meeting topics. This guide was written by support group leaders and provides helpful information, whether you are planning your first PF support group, or developing new meetings for an established group.
Quarterly Teleconferences and eNewsletters
The PFF Support Group Leader Network quarterly teleconferences provide up-to-date information from the Foundation and offer a forum for support group leaders to discuss ideas and best practices for leading their groups. In addition to quarterly teleconferences, all support group leaders receive a quarterly Support Group Leader Network eNewsletter.
To join our next PFF Support Group Leader Network teleconference, please contact the PFF Help Center at 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or help@pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
Leanne Storch Support Group Fund
The Leanne Storch Support Group Fund, established in 2012, honors the commitment of Leanne Storch, former executive director of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2003 and received a lung transplant in 2014. Leanne ran a local support group for 10 years. Leanne passed away in 2019 and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is proud to honor her legacy with this grant.
The PFF is dedicated to assisting all the volunteer PF support group community to engage their local PF patients, caregivers and family members, establish new support groups, and host meaningful educational events. The Leanne Storch Support Group Fund 2024 application cycle is now accepting applications from February 13, 2024 through April 15, 2024.
Apply for the New Support Group Grant ($500)
Apply for the Support Group Development Grant ($750)
Groups are limited to one grant per funding year. Support group leaders can request funds to cover expenses such as site rental fees, printing costs, refreshments, and other costs related to starting and/or running a quarterly or monthly PF support group. Please review the updated Leanne Storch Support Group Fund Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions document.
Running a support group or wanting to start one? Keep the PFF up to date!
The PFF maintains the Find a Support Group search tool on our website with the most up to date information on available support groups. To better represent our support groups and serve our community with what they are looking for most, we need your help! If you run a support group for the PF and/or ILD community, please complete the PFF Support Group Meeting Information survey here - it only takes 2 minutes!
The PFF strives to assist individuals in getting connected to a resource of support near them and we need the most current information on your group to accurately do so. The submitted updates will be reflected on your support group's page on the PFF website.
If you have questions or need assistance with your support group, please email Molly Abrams, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs, at mabrams@pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
Support Group Leader Network Video Resources
The PFF has curated a list of short videos to help you learn how to start and manage a pulmonary fibrosis support group. Watch these videos to learn tips from other support group leaders.
