Between 1992 and 2010, Ladd lead AARDA as it organized cutting edge scientific meetings, established the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups, an expansive group of 31 single autoimmune disease patient groups who use their collective influence to advance autoimmune disease patient advocacy and awareness. Additionally, Ladd fought and won, to have autoimmune disease identified as a category of diseases. This new category would include 100+ diseases which share a common cause, autoimmunity. In 2002, Ladd was instrumental in obtaining 30 million dollars in additional funding for the National Institutes of Health for autoimmune disease research funding.

Today, under Ladd's leadership AARDA is an internationally recognized authority on autoimmune disease related issues. The group continues to advance awareness with national awareness campaigns, patient education programs and services, as well as funding research and fostering collaboration around the United States and the globe. Mrs. Ladd's work has always been aimed toward a singular purpose; to increase the quality of life for the 50 million American's who live with autoimmune disease.

For more information on Virginia T. Ladd, AARDA, and autoimmune disease, please visit the organizations website at www.aarda.org or contact them by phone: 586-776-3900.

About the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)
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.

AARDA is the only national nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity, the major cause of serious chronic diseases. Approximately 50 million Americans, 20 percent of the population or one in five people, suffer from autoimmune diseases. Women are more likely than men to be affected; some estimates say that 75 percent of those affected--some 37.5 million people--are women. Still, with these statistics, autoimmunity is rarely discussed as a women's health issue.