Community Health Event at Allegheny Health Network’s Autoimmunity Institute to Shine Light on Relapsing Polychondritis

  NEW YORK - 09/21/2018

The Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation (RPASF), together with Race for RP, announced today their support for an upcoming community health event at the AHN Autoimmunity Institute in Pittsburgh. The event, to take place on Thursday, September 27, intends to provide education about relapsing polychondritis and other autoimmune diseases, and connect patients with the many resources provided at this first-of-its-kind institute.

For the 50 million Americans who have an autoimmune disease, according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system causing illness most often marked by inflammation. More common in women than in men, autoimmune diseases are the leading cause of morbidity among U.S. women, and the nation’s second leading cause of chronic illness.

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare but chronic autoimmune disorder whereby the immune system attacks the body’s cartilage. Similar to more pervasive autoimmune diseases such as lupus, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, relapsing polychondritis may present a range of symptoms making it difficult to diagnose.  

“Bringing awareness to the public and physicians alike is an important step in a journey toward improved diagnoses, treatments and an eventual cure. We applaud the AHN Autoimmunity Institute for being a true leader in this journey, and strongly encourage those who are suffering from relapsing polychondritis and other related diseases to attend this event,” said Nancy Linn, Chair, RPASF Board of Directors.

Physicians from the Autoimmunity Institute, including Susan Manzi, MD, MPH, Director of the Lupus Center of Excellence at the Autoimmunity Institute and Medical Director of the Lupus Foundation of America, will be available to discuss the more than 100 types of autoimmune diseases with attendees. Tours of the institute will be provided and attendees will have the opportunity to schedule appointments onsite for follow up.

The AHN Autoimmunity Institute combines multidisciplinary care with cutting-edge research, patient education and advocacy to advance the treatment of autoimmune diseases and accelerate discovery of a cure for the many different disease types. For its novel approach to patient care and research, RPASF and Race for RP proudly support the Institute.

“Our multispecialty team at the AHN Autoimmunity Institute is committed to transforming health care for patients with autoimmune diseases, from the common disease types such as rheumatoid arthritis to the extremely rare such as relapsing polychondritis. We thank RPASF and Race for RP for their continued support, and look forward to welcoming new and returning patients to the Autoimmunity Institute for this important educational event,” said Joseph Ahearn, MD, Chair, AHN Autoimmunity Institute.

The event will take place on Thursday, September 27 from 5:30 – 8 PM ET. To register, visit https://www.ahn.org/events/ahnwomen. 

For more information about relapsing polychondritis and to support the RPASF, visit http://www.polychondritis.org.

About Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation Inc.

The Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation Inc. (RPASF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which strives to raise awareness and educate the public, as well as represent its patients to the global medical community and support medical research toward a cure. For more information about RPASF, please visit the foundation’s website.

About Race for RP

Race for RP is a non-profit organization that supports research, awareness programs, and care, for those affected by relapsing polychondritis and related diseases. RP is a painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system misfires, turning on the patient’s cartilage. For more information about Race for RP, please visit the organization’s website.

About AHN Autoimmunity Institute

The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Autoimmunity Institute is an unprecedented venture focused on advancing the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure of all autoimmune diseases, of which there are more than 100. The Institute’s focus is on improved outcomes, increased patient satisfaction and quality of life, and decreased cost of care, through collaborative multispecialty care, cutting-edge research, advocacy and education in attacking these chronic diseases.

About AARDA

The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. (AARDA) 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.

Website: http://www.polychondritis.org

Race for RP: http://raceforrp.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPASFInc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RPASF_Official

AHN: https://www.ahn.org/specialties/autoimmunity-institute

Event Registration https://www.ahn.org/events/ahnwomen

Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation Inc.

1202 Lexington Avenue, Box 112

New York, NY 10028