A new in-person support group in San Francisco will offer connection and community for people affected by brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), hemorrhagic stroke, HHT, and other vascular conditions.
Launched by The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF) in partnership with UCSF, the monthly group is designed for patients, caregivers, and families looking for support beyond medical care.
Monthly Brain Aneurysm and AVM Support Group at UCSF
Starting on May 14, the TAAF SF Bay Area Support Group at UCSF will meet as follows:
The 2nd Thursday of each month
6:00–8:00 PM PST
UCSF Parnassus Campus
400 Parnassus Ave., 8th Floor, Room A-888
San Francisco, CA
This San Francisco support group for brain aneurysm and AVM patients is open to:
- Survivors and patients in recovery
- Individuals newly diagnosed with vascular conditions
- Caregivers and family members
- Those grieving the loss of a loved one
The goal is to create a consistent, welcoming space where people can share experiences, ask questions, and feel less alone.
Support Beyond Clinical Care
The group will be led by Christine Ainza, NP, from the UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery, who emphasizes the importance of ongoing support.
“Care does not end when you leave the hospital or when an appointment is over,” Ainza says. “This is a space where you and your loved ones are known, supported, and connected. You are not alone.”
For many patients living with brain aneurysms or AVMs, access to a local, in-person support group can play a key role in emotional recovery and long-term well-being.
A Return to In-Person Support at UCSF
This new group also marks a return to in-person roots for TAAF. The organization’s support community began more than 20 years ago at UCSF before expanding nationally through virtual programming during the pandemic.
“Returning to UCSF for an in-person opportunity is both an expansion and a coming home,” says Dina Chon, Executive Director of The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation.
Today, TAAF’s support network includes:
- Three national virtual support groups
- Monthly Brain Buddy Boosts
- The creative No Rules Art Club
The addition of a Bay Area in-person support group provides another option for those seeking face-to-face connection.
For individuals and families navigating brain aneurysm recovery, AVM diagnosis, or hemorrhagic stroke, finding community can make a meaningful difference.
By bringing together patients, caregivers, and experts in one space, the UCSF and TAAF partnership continues to expand access to support resources for vascular conditions in San Francisco and the broader Bay Area.
For more information about TAAF, visit: https://www.taafonline.org/