The Global State of Autotimmunity Today:

Register Online: http://unitednationsautoimmunitymeeting.eventbrite.com/

Register by Phone: 586-776-3900

Help AARDA increase awareness around the country for autoimmune disease! These colorful wristbands are an excellent opportunity for friends and family to show support to a loved one living with autoimmune disease. For patients, purchasing your wristband will be public way to support autoimmune awareness and research efforts to find a cure.  Wear your wristband and help others to recognize autoimmune disease as a serious disease category.

Buy them in bulk and give them to your physician's office for distribution amongst patients, or give them to family and friends.  It's not too soon to begin thinking about stocking stuffers!

Purchase your autoimmune disease awareness wristband today!!

 AARDA's "What Every American Needs to Know About Autoimmune Disease" Public Forums have been traveling the country for more than three years now.  Patients rave about the the level of information and resources that are made available to them through this wonderful program.  Now patients everywhere can benefit from this important program by purchasing a copy of the DVD.  The DVD contains two of the most important segments from the live forums, "What is Autoimmunity?"  with world renowned scientist Dr. Noel R. Rose, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Center for Autoimmune Disease Research at Johns Hopkins University.  Dr. Rose explores the scientific process of autoimmunity in a way every patient can understand, the risk factors, incidence trends, and the latest research. Additionally, author, Rita Baron-Faust, "The Autoimmune Connection", who provides a segment on "Women and Autoimmunity".

Don't miss this opportunity.  Purchase your DVD copy today!

From Left to Right: Dr. Torsten Matthias, President of AESKU.Diagnostics, and 2008 AESKU.Award winner, M. Eric Gershwin, M.D., of the University of California-Davis, and 2010 AESKU.Award winner Virginia T. Ladd, President and Executive Director, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association

Press Release:

East Detroit, MI  June 23, 2010:  In the history of the AESKU.AWARD for Life Contribution to Autoimmunity, the coveted prize had never been granted to a non-scientist until May 5, 2010.  On that day, Virginia T. Ladd, president and executive director of the Michigan-based American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), was given the AESKU.AWARD in honor of her lifetime commitment, dedication, and determination that has helped to bring about major changes for autoimmunity and autoimmune disease research internationally.  The award was presented to Mrs. Ladd by Dr. Torsten Matthias, president of AESKU.Diagnostics, and 2008 AESKU.AWARD winner M. Eric Gershwin, M.D., of the University of California Davis, at the 7th International Congress on Autoimmunity, held in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Mrs. Ladd, in accepting the recognition, joins previous AESKU winners from Austria, Israel, Australia, the United States, and other countries, all renowned researchers, including internationally known autoimmune disease authority, researcher and author Noel R. Rose, M.D., Ph.D., of the Johns Hopkins University.

Between 1991 and 2010, Mrs. Ladd has led AARDA as it has organized cutting edge scientific meetings and established the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups (NCAPG), an expansive group of 31 national autoimmune disease-specific groups who use their collective influence to advance autoimmune disease patient advocacy and awareness.  Additionally, Mrs. Ladd fought and won to have autoimmune disease recognized as a category of disease.  This new category includes more than 100 diseases which share a common cause, autoimmunity.

In 2002, AARDA was instrumental in obtaining $30 million in additional funding for autoimmune disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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

Mrs. Ladd says, "As a lay person and an autoimmune disease patient, I feel very proud to have received the award when it always has been given to scientific researchers in the past.  Many people have helped with AARDA's success.  We at AARDA think and act as a team, and that goes a long way in accomplishing our goals."

For more information on Virginia T. Ladd, AARDA, and autoimmune disease, please visit the organization’s Web site at www.aarda.org or by phone: 586-776-3900.

AARDA is a proud sponsor of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Autoimmune Disease Research's Annual Autoimmunity Day.  The program brings together researchers from a broad range of backgrounds to present the latest in research pertaining to autoimmunity.  This year's program took place on June 4, 2010 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. The program headlined top researchers from around the country. 

Some of the areas of research presented included:

• Sex and B Cells


• Temporal and spatial control of V(D)J recomination in health and disease


• IL-17 is a key player in development of dilated cardiomyapathy


• Does loss of tolerance to autoantigens contribute to primate heart allograft injury?


• Genetics of human autoimmunity: connecting genotype to phenotype


• The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease uncovered by genetics: focus on innate immunity and immune dysregulation


• High-dose cyclophosphamide therapy for autoimmunity and alloimmunity


• Regulation of Antigen-Receptor Signaling to NF-kB

The program was video taped and will soon be available on the AARDA.org website for viewing.  For a snapshot of the program, check out this video of NIAMS Director, Dr. Stephen Katz from the 10th Annual Autoimmunity Day program, discussing CD8 T Cell Mediated Models of Autoimmunity. 

http://autoimmune.pathology.jhmi.edu/katz.html

For more videos of presentations from past Autoimmunity Day events, visit the Johns Hopkins Center for Autoimmune Disease Research event website: http://autoimmune.pathology.jhmi.edu/events.cfm

In addition to Autoimmunity Day, AARDA also partners with Johns Hopkins University on sponsoring a number of students each summer for the Johns Hopkins Diversity Research Fellows program.  Through our sponsorship we hope to bring young and bright new researchers into the field of autoimmunity research.  Attending the 12th Annual Autoimmunity Day program were several of our research fellows, pictured below with Center for Autoimmune Disease Research at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Noel R. Rose, and AARDA President and Executive Director, Virginia T. Ladd. 

From left to right: Lourdes Ramirez, Dr. Noel R. Rose, Yolanda Ross, Sophia Uddin

From Left to Right: AARDA President Virginia T. Ladd, Center Director Dr. Noel R. Rose, and Yolanda Ross

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Register Today by Email (aarda@aarda.org) or Phone (586-776-3900).

Cost: FREE Conference

Who Should Attend: Conference is open to autoimmune patients, their families and the general public.

Location: Crowne Plaza Boston Newton

      320 Washington Street

Newton, MA  02458

Program Agenda:

12:30 p.m. Registration and Exhibits

1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Welcome - Virginia T. Ladd, President and Executive Director, AARDA

1:15 p.m. -2:00 p.m. What is Autoimmunity? Noel R. Rose, M.D., Ph.D., - Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Baltimore, MD

2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Autoimmune Diseases in Women, Rita Baron-Faust, M.P.H., CHES - Author of "The Autoimmune Connection"

2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Break

2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Coping With an Autoimmune Disease - Patient to Patient, Virginia T. Ladd

3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. What's New in Autoimmune Disease Research? - Noel R. Rose, M.D., Ph.D.

3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ask the Speaker

Volunteers
Recruitment for Publications
May 20–June 18, 2010

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes for Health is looking for volunteers for upcoming publications that will focus on anemia, chronic lung diseases, sarcoidosis, and sleep disorders.

Medically Diagnosed Conditions

In the nearly 30 years that Donna DiSante has lived in Grosse Pointe Farms, she’s been no stranger to being the center of attention.  “It’s just a part of who I am,” remarks Ms. DiSante, “I started in high school doing plays and make-up.  I guess I never grew tired of playing dress up and putting on a show.”  Even being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease that affects the joints, hasn’t slowed her down.  This summer alone, Ms. DiSante will be teaching children’s theatre classes through a joint program with Grosse Pointe Theatre and the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House.  She’ll also be directing a children’s production.  Additionally, this summer Donna will be directing “Godspell” for the evening productions at Grosse Pointe Theatre.   Just to ensure that she would have enough to do, Donna recently did the make-up for the Grosse Pointe High School’s production of “Pippin”. 

For her latest role, however, you won’t find her at the Grosse Pointe Theatre and it won’t be on a traditional stage.  On May 8, Donna will take on the role of host and master of ceremonies for the American Autoimmune Diseases Association (AARDA)’s 10th Annual Victorian Tea Luncheon and Silent Auction at the historic Dearborn Inn.  For nearly a decade, Ms. DiSante has volunteered with AARDA and, has supported the organization in many roles including committee member as well as research and legislative advocate.  In March, she was featured in a film at the first ever National Autoimmune Diseases Summit in Washington D.C., advocating for the importance of increased research and investigation into autoimmune diseases.  For her latest role at this  signature event for AARDA, Donna will use her skill in acting and make-up as she performs her duties in full Victorian dress.  She says that she will be particular character from famous Victorian lore.  However, when we asked her who that character would be, she replied, “I’m not saying.  My role will be a surprise!”

So why, on top of her countless responsibilities in the community and theatre worlds, would this inspiring Grosse Pointe woman donate more of her time to AARDA? “I support AARDA because they are searching, through their network of scientific and medical researchers, to find the common thread among the hundreds of autoimmune diseases that may hold the key to curing them.  Also, I do it because it fun!  I hope to do my very best in my hosting duties to support AARDA’s work in whatever way I am able.”

AARDA’s 10th Annual Victorian Tea Luncheon and Silent Auction will take place on the Saturday, May 8, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., the day before Mother’s Day, at The Dearborn Inn, A Marriot Hotel, 20301 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI.  Tickets are still available.  To get your tickets, contact AARDA by phone at 586-776-3900 or via email at aarda@aarda.org. 

For more information about AARDA and/ or autoimmune diseases, visit AARDA’s Website at www.aarda.org.

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.

For more information on autoimmunity and/or AARDA, contact AARDA by phone at (586) 776-3900 or on the Web at www.aarda.org.

About Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmunity is a result of a misdirected immune system that causes one's own immune system to attack the self. There are over 100 known autoimmune diseases; and unlike the many forms of cancer which are recognized as being part of the general term "cancer," autoimmune diseases are recognized singularly rather than in the overall category of autoimmunity. The public in general is unaware of the autoimmune nature of these diseases. When most people hear one of these diseases referred to as an autoimmune disease, they incorrectly confuse the term autoimmune with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); or they think it is a form of cancer.

This lack of knowledge and collaborative effort results in untold suffering for persons with autoimmune diseases due to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis which may result in damage to vital organs. The need to bring a national focus to autoimmunity as the common factor in all autoimmune diseases is vital in order to bring a collaborative effort to research, funding, early detection, and eventually, prevention and cure for all autoimmune diseases.

Some of the over 100 autoimmune diseases are lupus, type 1 diabetes, scleroderma, celiac, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, myasthenia gravis, myositis, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Sjogren's syndrome, uveitis, polymyositis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and demyelinating neuropathies.

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