From June 2003 InFocus

On Friday, March 14, the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups (NCAPG) held a congressional briefing sponsored by AARDA, the Sj?gren Syndrome Foundation, and the Platelet Disorder Support Association. The briefing was designed to inform congressional staffers about the NIH Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan. To a standing room only audience, AARDA celebrity spokesperson, Kellie Martin, spoke about her sister experience with lupus. Other speakers were Dr. Stanley M. Finger, AARDA Board Chair; Major Kate McGraw, autoimmune disease patient; Dr. Daniel Rotrosen, Director, NIH Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation; Dr. Noel R. Rose, Chair of AARDA Scientific Advisory Board and Director of Johns Hopkins University Autoimmune Disease Research Center; and Dr. Frederick B. Vivino, from the University of Pennsylvania, Sj?gren Syndrome Center. In addition, Kathy Hammitt, Interim Executive Director of the Sj?gren Syndrome Foundation, described the work of NCAPG. Moderator was Virginia Ladd, AARDA President and Executive Director.

The briefing was preceded by three days of personal visits by NCAPG members, along with Kellie Martin and her husband, Keith Christian, to every Representative office and the majority of Senators offices. These visits laid the groundwork for what is hoped to be major follow ups by interested autoimmune disease patients, their families, and health professionals.