Check out the support group listings for the Tri-Cities.

Editor's Note: Support Groups listing are updated by the 25th of each month. To update or add a listing contact Linn Casey by email, lcasey@bristolnews.com, or call (423) 669-2181.

ACOA/CODA/ACDF: Bristol Tennessee, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. All co-dependent issues discussed at non-profit, no fee, 12-step program. Call (423) 989-5200, 989-3848 or (276) 669-6093.

AMI-CAN OF EAST TENNESSEE: For parents of children with mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, learning disabilities to offer support, educational workshops, resource materials, advocacy. Call Dottie Littrell at (423) 538-7415.

ALCOHOLICS/NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Bristol Virginia, John Wesley United Methodist Church, Tuesdays, 6 p.m. For transportation, call (276) 669-5067. Contact the Evangelism Committee for someone to speak at any meetings concerning addictions.

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION: Marion, 4453 Lee Hwy., across from Army Reserve Center. District Three Senior Services, Northeast TN/Southwest VA chapter. For persons dealing with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Call Sissy Frye, (276) 783-8157, (800) 541-0933, or contact Alzheimer's Association, (888) 800-8782.

AWAKE OF BRISTOL: Second Thursday. Free, open to public. To speak with sleep apnea technologist, call (423) 844-4119.

ABINGDON ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, Main Street. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8 p.m. For family, friends of alcoholics. (276) 623-1267.

ADULT RESPITE CARE: Bristol, Virginia, Central Presbyterian, 301 Euclid Ave., Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Community service to give home caregivers relief, quality daycare with individualized attention by trained staff. Lunch included in $20 daily fee. (423) 878-1758 or (276) 669-3157.

AL-ANON: For relatives or friends of alcoholics. We Care group, Bristol group, Mondays Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 700 Cumberland St., (423) 764-0874; Kingsport group, Tuesdays, 8 p.m., St. Timothy's Episcopal Church and Thursdays, 8 p.m., Renaissance Center; Abingdon group, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m., Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, Main Street. (276) 623-1267.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Bristol: Monday: noon, Fellowship Chapel Church, 201 Crockett St.; 7 p.m., women's meeting, First Methodist Church, Vance Drive; 8 p.m., Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 700 Cumberland St. Tuesday: 11 a.m., Emmanuel Episcopal Church; 8 p.m., Ridgeview Pavilion, 300 North St.; Wednesday: noon, Fellowship Chapel Church; 8 p.m., Emmanuel Episcopal Church; Thursday: noon, Fellowship Chapel Church; 8 p.m., Ridgeview Pavilion; Friday: noon, Fellowship Chapel Church; 8 p.m., State Street United Methodist Church, 300 W. Valley Dr.; Saturday: 11 a.m., Fellowship Chapel Church; 8 p.m., Emmanuel Episcopal Church; Sunday: 8 p.m., Ridgeview Pavilion. ABINGDON: Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church, Main/Pecan streets, M/W/F, 9 a.m., Tue/Thr, 8 p.m. and women's meeting Monday, 7 p.m. GLADE SPRING: Old Glade Presbyterian Church, Lee Highway, Saturday, 8 p.m. Call (423) 968-2020 or (276) 628-4331.

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION: Abingdon, Greendale Home Assisted Living Facility, second Thursday, 10 a.m. Free for caregivers, family members and anyone needing encouragement. Articles, resource materials, newest medications, techniques given to members who attend. Hosted by Carol Clifton, administrator, Greendale Home Assisted Living; directed by Mike Hoback, Highlands Mental Health. Call (276) 628-8595 or 628-8703.

ALZHEIMER'S GROUP: Bristol, Broadmore Assisted Living, first Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. Call (423) 764-4622.

ALZHEIMER'S GROUP: Bristol, Bristol Nursing Home, last Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Call Penny Johnson, (423) 764-6151.

APPALACHIAN POST-POLIO GROUP: Bristol, call (423) 764-9734.

ARC OF LENOWISCO: Duffield, Addington Hall. Second Tuesday, 6 p.m. Provides support, advocacy, education and community awareness for individuals with disabilities and special needs, their families and other people involved in their care. Serves Wise, Lee, Scott counties and City of Norton. Call Sherri, (276) 452-4675 or Wendy, 523-0682.

ARC OF SULLIVAN COUNTY: Open to all. Call (423) 274-8165.

BRAIN INJURY: Kingsport area, survivors, family, friends welcome. Call Jennifer Mazzei, (423) 392-6902.

BREAST CANCER: Bristol Virginia, Euclid Ave. Baptist Church. Sept. 16, 6:30-8 p.m. John M. Chandler, MD, Appalachian Orthopedic Associates will speak on "Keeping Our Bones Healthy"; friends and support persons invited. Meets third Tuesday, provides information, support, caring, resources for persons who have or have had breast cancer; sponsored by Wellmont Health System and American Cancer Society. Call Ann Corrin, (423) 968-3547 or Peggy Miller, (423) 646-4172.; Offers support to individuals, friends, family affected by breast cancer. Call Lori Hamilton, RN, (423) 915-5200, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Karen Mabe, (423) 929-7825, home; Health Resources Center, JCMC outreach facility, Johnson City Mall, Sept. 18, 7-8:30 p.m., Mary Hooks, MD will speak on genetic testing; free, (423) 431-5551, (800) 888-5551 or (800) ACS-2345; Rogersville, for women who have experienced breast cancer and their family, friends. Call Sara DuBuque, (423) 272-5967, Ruth Henderson, (423) 224-5593 or Linda Bowden, 272-0037.

BRISTOL'S DEPRESSION/BIPOLAR: Bristol Public Library, Goode St., Mondays, 1-5 p.m., come and go. New members welcome., (276) 669-3324; email: bjivey@charter.net.

BRISTOL ENABLING ALLIANCE: Bristol, Va., Clinton Avenue Community Building, second Wednesday, 1 p.m. For persons with disabilities, their friends, families. Call Appalachian Independence Center, Bristol Office, (276) 466-0567.

BRISTOL TAKE TIME: For those who have experienced cancer, their family, friends. Call Diane Cross, RN at (423) 844-2180.

CANCER : Abingdon. For anyone whose life has been touched by cancer. Free to public; family, friends welcome; refreshments provided. Call (276) 676-7273; Buchanan General Hospital. Call Erma May, RN, oncology coordinator, (276) 935-1471; Dickenson County, Clintwood Bible Church, Route 72. First Tuesday, 6 p.m., Light refreshments. (276) 835-8857. Johnson Memorial Hospital,Sept. 9.

CARDIO-DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP: Assists hundreds of patients who have undergone implantable defibrillator procedure. Call (423) 431-5551 or (800) 888-5551.

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS OF TENNESSEE-VIRGINIA is a self help support group, that offers support, understanding, and compassion to parents, siblings, and grandparents of deceased children. We meet the first Sunday of each month at 2:00 PM, at the Wellmont Hospice House, at 280 Steeles Road, Bristol, Tn. For more information you may access our national website at www.compassionatefriends.org or locally call 276-669-3222.

CROHN'S/COLITIS: Colonial Heights Baptist Church conference room. Appalachian Region, fourth Monday, 7-8:30 p.m. For any patient and family with Crohn's/colitis. (423) 224-5197.

DIABETES: Bristol Tennessee, Conference Center of BRMC. Third Thursday, 7 p.m. Call Diabetes Treatment Center, (423) 844-2950; Konnarock Community Center, Route 600 (Whitetop Road), 1/3 mile south of Route 603 (Konnarock Road) at Weaver's and Valley Grocery. First Monday. Call Konnarock Physicians, (276) 388-3411.

DIABETES: Abingdon, Johnston Memorial Hospital, 3rd Floor in the Conference Center at
Sept. 23., 7 p.m., (276) 676-7000.

FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: For families of children, adults with special needs. Call Riley Proffitt, (276) 466-6736 or Patty Pryor, (276) 623-8013.

FIBROMYALGIA: Bristol Tennessee, Wellmont. First Thursday. No reservations. Call (423) 844-6100.; Kingsport, hospital's Cherokee Room, 2000 Brookside Drive. For mutual support, education. For reservations, call Becky Berry, (423) 245-0559 or cell (423) 306-6493; Bring information such as support Web sites to share.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Gray Library, Exit 42. Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.; Johnson City, Wesley United Methodist Church, 225 Princeton St. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Closed meetings. (423) 323-0588.

GRIEF: Johnson City, Health Resources Center, The Mall, Sept. 30, 6-7 p.m. H. Wayne Hunter, director AfterCare Services, Morris-Baker will discuss grief, practical tips to work through and move forward plus resources available. Free. Call (423) 431-5551 or (800) 888-5551 to register.

HAPPY HEARTS CLUB: Bristol Tennessee, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Magnolia Room. First Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., bring heart-healthy covered dish. Call Ann Grubbs, (423) 323-2705.

HEALING PLACE:For individuals who are grieving, meets weekly in Kingsport and Bristol. Kingsport meetings are held on Mondays from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Oncology Unit Library, located on the third floor of Wilcox Hall at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Bristol meetings are held on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at Wellmont Hospice House.

HEART TO HEART CLUB: Abingdon, Johnston Memorial Hospital's Conference Center. Second Monday (except December through February), 7 p.m. Short, informal and educational for people with heart disease, family, friends. Free to the public. Call (276) 676-7273 or visit www.jmh.org.

HEARTS WITH RHYTHM: Assists patients who have undergone implantable defibrillator procedures and other heart-related topics. Call The Health Professionals, (423) 431-5551, (423) 392-5551 or (800) 888-5551.

HIGHLAND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Abingdon, Appalachian Independence Center, 230 Charwood Drive, third Thursday, 7 p.m. Call (276) 475-3446, 628-7598 or 496-5710.

HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE: Provides support, information on treatment development, resources available. Patients, family members, all interested invited. Call Bonnie Taylor, (423) 538-5226 or Quillen Community Relations Dept., (423) 952-1702.

HYPOGLYCEMIA: Addresses dietary, activity needs unrelated to diabetes. Free, pre-registration required. Call (423) 431-5551 or (800) 888-5551.

JCIL: Establishing a Parent Advocacy Center for parents of children with disabilities in the LENOWISCO area. Call Gwen Thompson, Junction Center for Independent Living, (276) 546-5093 or 679-0967.

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER: Abingdon, Johnston Memorial Hospital Conference Center, last Saturday of each month, 1 p.m. For women cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation treatments. Call Deb Woods, (276) 628-8861.

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER: Johnson City, 2513 Wesley St., Suite 4,. Third Monday, 1 p.m., American Cancer Society. Call Zella Manier, (423) 926-2920, home; 508 Princeton Rd., Suite 102, call Tammy Sexton, (423) 232-2222; Sandy Trivett, (423) 926-2921, office or (800) ACS-2345..

LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: Knoxville, 10409 Lovell Center Drive. East Tennessee chapter, first Saturday, 3-4 p.m. For newly diagnosed patients. Call (423) 692-9208.

LUPUS: Third Thursday. Call Susan Tichenor, (423) 361-4369.

MENOPAUSE: Third Thursday. Educational materials, information, counseling provided at no cost to participants. Call (423) 990-3025.

MOMS-R-US TEEN PREGNANCY SUPPORT: Free prenatal, childbirth and parenting classes taught in a group setting; open to girls 19 years of age and younger delivering first baby. Registration always open. Call Tammy Henkel , YWCA, (423) 968-9444.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL (NAMI:) Bristol Tennessee. First Tuesday, 7 p.m., Elm Room, lower level, Bristol Regional Medical Center. Offers education, understanding, support and hope to family members or friends who experience the devastation mental illness presents and to mental health consumers who are on the road to recovery. Call Sherry Falkner,(800) 233-0118 or sherrynamitn@aol.com.

NAMI: Bristol/Washington County, Va. Support, education for family members, those with mental illness. Second Thursday, 6 p.m., alternates each month between Lighthouse, 101 Solar St., Bristol and Highlands House, Lee Hwy., Abingdon. Call (276) 466-4292. Visitors welcome.

NAMI: Johnson City area, Harrison Christian Church, 2517 Browns Mill Road, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Journey of Hope "Care and Share" and BRIDGES meeting for family and significant others of those who use mental health services. Call Palma Bennett, (423) 348-8651 or Teresa Godsey, call 926-1693.

NEUROFIBROMATOSIS: Bluff City. Call Judy Carper, (423) 878-7341.

OVERCOMERS IN CHRIST: Bristol Tennessee, Haven of Rest, 624 Anderson St. For alcoholics/addicts/life problems. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. (423) 968-2011.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: Johnson City, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Call (423) 926-0144, Contact Concern, (423) 246-2273.

PARENTING A CHILD WITH ADHD: Bristol Virginia, Highlands Community Service, Bristol Family Resource Center. (276) 645-3765.

PARKINSON'S DISEASE: East Tennessee: Call (423) 854-0702; Johnson City, Health Resources Center, The Mall, annex classroom, Sept.16, 1 p.m.; Peggy Willocks will discuss research developments; for anyone wanting more information, especially those newly diagnosed and their support persons; free. Call (423) 431-5551 or (800) 888-5551 to register.

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY: For patients, families interested in learning more about congenital heart disease. Call Dr. Thomas Chin, (423) 439-8527 or Health Resource Center, (423) 915-5200.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Abingdon, St. John's Lutheran Church, Highway 11. Southwest Virginia, meets last Tuesday to plan activities; first Tuesday to participate in activities, 1-3:30 p.m. Call Joyce Rasnick, (276) 944-5897.

POZ Support Group: ETSU (Hillrise Hall Conference Room) on the First and Third Thursdays of the month 6:30 - 7:30 PM. This is a drop-in group for all individuals living with HIV and those affected by HIV, from those who are newly-diagnosed to long-term survivors, who are looking for support from other HIV+ people. Contact Robin Lennon-Dearing for more information. "You are not alone" 423-439-6019

PROSTATE CANCER: Bristol, Magnolia Room, Bristol Regional Medical Center. Sept. 14, 2:30 p.m. Call Glen Kitts at (423) 652-1811. Kingsport, third Tuesday. For men who have experienced prostate cancer, family, friends. Call Kathryn Visneski , (423) 224-5592; Kingsport, Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center Heritage Room, located on the fourth floor of the James H. Quillen Regional Heart Center will meet Sept. 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Debbie Pencarina, genetic counselor, will present "Genetics and Prostate Cancer." For more information, please call Kathy Visneski at (423) 224-5592.

SISTERS: Kingsport, Heritage Room, James H. Quillen Regional Heart Center, Holston Valley Medical Center, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. Dr. Daryl Pierce, oncologist, will present "Questions and Answers About Breast Cancer." Parking available in garage under emergency dept. For women who have experienced breast cancer. Call Tammy Wright, RN, (423) 224-3547.

SLEEP DISORDERS: Johnson City, Health Resources Center, The Mall, Sept. 25, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Bobby Reed, JCMC is facilitator; join others who experience problems with sleep; a time for sharing and caring; free. Call (423) 431-5551 or (800) 888-5551 to register.

STROKE: For all stroke survivors and/or families; sponsored by American Stroke Association and Healthsouth. Call (423) 246-7240.

SULLIVAN ARTHRITIS: Call Jimmy Ricker, FNP, at (423) 638-6957.

TAKE TIME CANCER: Bristol Regional Medical Center conference center, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. Call Diane Cross, RN, (423) 844-2180.

TAKE TIME CANCER: Kingsport, Holston Valley Medical Center, Oncology Unit Library, third floor, Wilcox Hall, Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 2, rap session with Jane Martin; Sept. 9, Life's Greatest Lessons; Sept. 16, rap session with Jane Martin; Sept. 23, Managing the Side Effects of Chemotherapy. For cancer patients, families, friends. Call Kathryn Visneski, RN, (423) 224-5592 or Teresa Bailey, RN, 224-5524.

TAKE TIME CANCER: Rogersville, First Christian Church, Depot St., Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m., sponsored by Hawkins County Memorial Hospital; for women who have experienced breast cancer, their family and friends. Call Sara DuBuque, (423) 272-5967 or Ruth Couch, 921-7093, ext. 5093.

TRANSPLANT SURVIVORS: Johnson City, Johnson City Medical Center, 7th level, Auditorium 1 and 2. Kidney and pancreas. Open to anyone considering, waiting or who has experienced a transplant. Call Jackie West, (423) 431-6179.

TRI-CITIES BRAIN INJURY: Johnson City, Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital, 2511 Wesley St.. Sept.11, 6:30 p.m.; artists Fenley and Mallory will offer a unique art experience. Second Thursday; open to all brain injury survivors and their caregivers, family and friends. Call Bette Lucas, (423) 952-1751 or Dede Norungolo, 431-1313.

TRI-CITIES LYMPHEDEMA: First Thursday, provides time to share knowledge, experience with others. Call Liza Sox-Mills, (423) 247-6765.

TRI-CITY NU VOICE: Bristol Virginia, Bristol Speech and Hearing Center, 103 North St., Suite 8. For laryngectomees, meets fourth Friday, 6:30 p.m. for pot-luck supper. Offer support to persons, families who have lost their vocal cords. (276) 669-6331, 466-3261, (423) 926-2689.

TRI-CITY OSTOMY: Non-profit organization offering moral support, mutual aid, information to persons having any type of ostomy surgery. All interested persons are invited to attend the meetings, activities. (423) 542-2433.

YOUNG AND BREATHLESS: Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Call Dolores Bertuso, (423) 224-5848.

YOUNG WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER: Johnson City, Health Resources Center, The Mall, Sept. 18, 6:15-6:45 p.m. Pre-menopausal women with breast cancer may have some special issues unique to their phase in life. Join other survivors for a time of support and sharing; free. Call (423) 431-5551 or (800) 888-5551.