NCAPG members join forces on Capitol Hill

The National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups (NCAPG), including the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), presented a Congressional Briefing on March 28. With the theme of America's Silent Health Crisis, the program introduced the following topics: "Genetics and Autoimmune Diseases," "An Autoimmune Family's Story," "Policy and Research Implications of Multi-Generational Autoimmune Disease," and "Making Autoimmune Disease Families a National Priority."

Speakers included Dr. Nicole McDonald, member, Board of Directors, Graves' Disease & Thyroid Foundation, and her family; Lisa G. Rider, M.D., Deputy Chief, Environmental Autoimmunity Group; Robert H. Phillips, Ph.D., Director, Center for Coping, and AARDA Scientific Advisory Board member; and Lindsey A. Criswell, M.D., MPH, Chief, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, San Francisco.

Making the program possible were the following: Presenting Sponsors - NCAPG, AARDA, and National Alopecia Areata Foundation; Partner Sponsors - APS Foundation of America, Inc., Graves' Disease & Thyroid Foundation, International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation, National Psoriasis Foundation, Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation, and U.S. Pain Foundation; Advocate Sponsors - FoxKiser, The Myositis Foundation, and Platelet Disorder Support Association; Friend Sponsors - Lupus Alliance of America, Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York, Inc., and National Adrenal Diseases Foundation; and Supporter Sponsor, American Behçet's Disease Association.

This briefing was another passionate, fact-filled opportunity to bring a national focus to autoimmune diseases. Through combined voices, the formerly scattered autoimmune groups are proving to be an emerging force for the good of the 50 million Americans suffering from autoimmune diseases. It takes time, energy, and money to effect change; and NCAPG members have the will to find ways to keep the momentum going.