Graves Eye Disease and Hyperthyroid

Environmental Triggers in Autoimmune Disease? More research is needed . . . and here's how you can help.

Greetings everyone.   Tonight I really need your help.  And it will cost you absolutely nothing.  Nothing except a quick “like” on a topic that is near and dear to my heart.  The topic?  A recommendation by AARDA.org* to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supporting research into environmental triggers in autoimmune diseases. 

Why?  The very environment we live in can have many diverse, and adverse effects on our overall health.  But more research is needed to better understand exactly why and how that is, including the relationship between many autoimmune diseases with DNA, and various cancers. 

Here is the link:  http://strategicplan.niehs.nih.gov/a/dtd/Environmental-Triggers-of-Disease/128890-12617   You can either register to vote or click the "like" tab if you're on Facebook.  

Will you help?

This recommendation was developed with the assistance of Noel Rose, MD, PhD, Director of the Autoimmune Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins and Stanley Finger, Chairman of AARDA's* Board of Directors.  

It will only take a minute and for those of you, like me, suffering from an autoimmune disease you know how devastating it can be.  Understanding the role of our environment is critical to furthering our overall understanding of autoimmune diseases in general.  

 

*AARDA is the American Autoimmune & Related Diseases Association, a national non-profit organization dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity, the major cause of serious chronic diseases.  For those of you who may not know, last year I became a member of AARDA's Board of Directors following 2 years of volunteer work.  

March Declared National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month!

 
On March 4, 2010, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating March as "National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month."  This is great news for autoimmune disease sufferers as it will go a long way toward helping to increase awareness of and research for autoimmune diseases. 

As many of you know, most people have limited knowledge about the wide array of autoimmune diseases that exist.  And if you have firsthand experience and are dealing with an autoimmune disease, you know how difficult it can be to find reliable and thorough information on any one disease. 

A big thanks to Senator Carl Levin of Michigan for introducing this resolution in December.  If you'd like to learn more about autoimmune diseases, or contribute funding for research, please visit American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association here.

Autoimmune Diseases Summit--March 3, 2010

 
  
Hi everyone.  I wanted to let you all know about the upcoming Autoimmune Diseases Summit that is coming up on March 3, 2010 in Washington D.C.  And you're invited! 

Presented by the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) and the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups (NCAPG), this summit will allow you to learn about research in the field of autoimmunity, understand the latest treatments that are in development, hear personal stories from real-life patients dealing with autoimmune disease, and much more.

 

Click here to learn more about the summit, register to attend, or register for the free web cast.

Best of all, the cost is free to attend the open sessions, and only $25 to attend the luncheon and reception.

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.

I'm excited to share with you a non profit organization I discovered specifically dedicated to autoimmune diseases:  the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.  AARDA is the ONLY national nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity.  Let me share the first paragraph of their mission statement with you:

The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association is dedicated to the eradication of autoimmune diseases and the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity through fostering and facilitating collaboration in the areas of education, public awareness, research, and patient services in an effective, ethical and efficient manner.  (Source:  www.aarda.org )

What particularly struck me about this organization is how clearly they understood the link between lack of awareness/understanding and misdiagnosis/suffering.  This is a huge problem, no doubt.  As a matter of fact, yesterday I wrote a blog post about the importance of working with an experienced team of medical professionals who see many (in my case Grave's Disease) patients.  For example, it's hard to fault the ophthalmologist when in fact most just don't see many patients with Grave's Ophthalmopathy. 

Moreover, the same holds true for public awareness of autoimmune disorders in general.  I must admit, when I was first diagnosed, when my doctor told me over the phone "you have Grave's Disease," I said "what!"  It just sounded so, well, grave.  And a "disease" no less.  Ugh!  Three years later and I know sooooo much more!

I don't know about you, but I'm excited!  One of my new year's resolutions was to take the first step in expanding the personal role I can play when it comes to advocacy beyond my little blog here.  And to get started within the first 30 days of the year.  This past weekend, that's exactly what I did.  And I found the AARDA. 

I was so excited I had to share my new find with all of you.  A team of dedicated professionals who are working hard on behalf of the millions of Americans who have, or will have in their lifetimes, some form of an autoimmune disorder to deal with. 

Note:  AARDA is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.  If you'd like to make a contribution, click here