Lisa Fournier runs both the Worcester Family Support Group as well as the Caregiver’s Group. Her daughter Randi was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2002 at the age of 4 and her daughter Jaimee in 2018 at the age of 28. When Randi was 14, they decided to start a Support Group at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. The group was an amazing hit and soon had many other families that were benefiting from their services. Fast forward to 2022 and the group is still going strong. Many of the members who have outgrown the group still come back to help with the younger members. In her spare time, Lisa loves being with her children and her grandchildren Noah, Auggie, Blake and Kaden.
Laura Castrigano, Young Adult SUPPORT GROUP LEADER
Laura Castrigano joins us from northern Vermont as our newest support group leader, facilitating the Young Adult Support Group. She is a seasoned IBD patient and currently has a loop ileostomy due to ulcerative colitis. As an elementary school math specialist and mom to an energetic 1.5 year old, she keeps herself plenty busy, but is excited to be joining us in this role. In her words, "I'm really looking forward to meeting more people living with IBD, hearing your stories, and making connections based on our shared experiences."
