Senators, Nat'l Autoimmune Organizations to Hold Briefing on NIH Autoimmune Disease Research Plan; Marks Milestone for Millions

3/10/2003

From: Stephanie Tonnesen of Carway Communications, 212-378-2020

News Advisory:

WHAT & WHO: A briefing to unveil the new National Institutes of Health's Autoimmune Disease Research Plan. The plan is the first national coordinated, collaborative effort to study the cause, incidence, diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases, as well as educate the medical community and general public. The landmark plan calls for all federal agencies involved in autoimmune research to work together.

Sponsored by the National Coalition of Autoimmune Disease Patient Groups and Senators Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Tom Harkin, Edward M. Kennedy, Richard Shelby and Arlen Specter, speakers will include:

-- Kellie Martin, actress and American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association spokesperson

-- Dr. Noel R. Rose, director, Autoimmune Disease Research Center, Johns Hopkins University

-- Dr. Daniel Rotrosen, chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplant, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

-- Dr. Stanley M. Finger, chairperson, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association

-- Katherine Hammitt, interim executive director, Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation

-- Major Katherine McGraw, U.S. Air Force, Autoimmune Disease Patient

-- Dr. Frederick B. Vivino, University of Pennsylvania, Sjogren's Syndrome Center

Autoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, autoimmune hepatitis, scleroderma and Graves' disease. Autoimmunity is the underlying cause of these diseases.

WHERE: Senate Russell Building, Room SR-385

WHEN: Friday, March 14 8 - 8:45 a.m. -- Breakfast 8:45 - 10 a.m. -- Briefing and Q&A Session

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ATTEND, PLEASE CALL: Stephanie Tonnesen, Carway Communications, Inc., 212-378-2020