Supplement: Organizations for Autoimmune Diseases

Organizations for Autoimmune DiseasesThis sampling of international associations, foundations, and societies focused on various autoimmune diseases reveals the group efforts that benefit patients and researchers. Although many other organizations exist, the ones listed here provide informative Web sites with frequent updates. American Autoimmune Related Diseases Associationwww.aarda.org AARDA pursues the eradication of autoimmune diseases, as well as the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity. To reach these goals, AARDA facilitates collaborations in education, research, and patient services. American Diabetes Foundation www.diabetes.org Founded in 1940, this organization describes itself as "the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy." It funds research, publishes scientific findings, runs a call center that provides answers to diabetes-related questions, and provides other services.Arthritis Foundation www.arthritis.org The Arthritis Foundation works with the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions through advocacy, programs, services, and research.Arthritis Society www.arthritis.ca This is Canada's only nonprofit organization focused on arthritis research, programs, and patient care. It includes nearly 1,000 community branches across Canada.British Society for Rheumatology www.rheumatology.org.ukThis society works to improve awareness and understanding of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. It also promotes high-quality standards of care for people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Celiac Disease Foundation www.celiac.org This worldwide organization develops and distributes current evidence-based information about celiac disease, informs patients and their families about this disease, works to raise awareness of celiac disease, encourages drug manufacturers and the food-service industry to better meet gluten-free dietary needs, and encourages research. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation www.ccfa.org Founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, MD, this foundation funds research at major medical institutions, nurtures investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finances underdeveloped areas of research. It also publishes the scientific journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.International Pemphigus Foundation www.pemphigus.org This foundation works to increase awareness of pemphigus/pemphigoid among the general public and in the medical community, provides emotional support to patients, and encourages research into causes, diagnoses, and treatments.Lupus Alliance of America www.lupusalliance.org Composed of five founding affiliates with more than 125 years of experience serving lupus patients, this alliance works to bring services to patients and healthcare professionals.Lupus Foundation of America www.lupus.org With nearly 300 chapters, branches, and support groups in 32 states, this foundation works to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, supports individuals and families affected by the disease, increases awareness of lupus among health professionals and the public, and supports research, education, and patient services.Lupus UKwww.lupusuk.comThis charity provides support for lupus patients, publishes literature related to lupus, arranges educational meetings, and raises money for research.Multiple Sclerosis Society www.mssociety.org.ukThis is the UK's largest charity for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), about 85,000 people in the UK. This society funds MS research, runs respite care centers, and provides education and training on MS. It also produces numerous publications on MS and runs a free help line.Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America www.myasthenia.org This foundation works to improve the diagnosis and care of individuals affected by myasthenia gravis and closely related disorders to improve their lives through programs for patient services, public information, medical research, professional education, and patient care.Myositis Association www.myositis.org In 1993, Betty Curry created the Inclusion Body Myositis Association, which became the Myositis Association of America in 1996 and simply the Myositis Association (TMA) in 2003. This association provides medical information to staff and patients and runs a research program.National Alopecia Areata Foundation www.naaf.org This autoimmune skin disease affects about 1.7% of the population, and this foundation supports research and public education.National Multiple Sclerosis Society www.nmss.org Founded in 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Web site writes that it "supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education programs, and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world."National Psoriasis Foundation www.psoriasis.org This foundation describes itself as "the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, serving and empowering people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society www.rheumatoid.org.uk This society provides support and information for people with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, their families, friends, and health professionals with an interest in rheumatoid arthritis.Platelet Disorder Support Association www.pdsa.org This association focuses on ITP (also known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenic purpura). This association provides research information and online discussion groups.Scleroderma Foundation www.scleroderma.org Founded in 1998, this foundation emerged from a merger between the West Coast-based United Scleroderma Foundation and the East Coast-based Scleroderma Federation. This group budgets more than $1 million in annual research support, and it provides many other services, including education and patient support.Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation www.sjogrens.org This foundation was started in 1983, and it serves as a clearinghouse for medical information for Sjögren's syndrome, which strikes about 4 million Americans. It provides research grants, student fellowships, and many other resources.Takayasu's Arteritis Research Association www.takayasus.org This association was established in 1999 for patients with Takayasu's arteritis. This association secures research funding, provides a patient bulletin board, publishes a quarterly newsletter, and provides other educational materials.Vasculitis Foundation www.wgassociation.orgn The Vasculitis Foundation - formerly the Wegener's Granulomatosis Association - was founded in 1986 by Marilyn Sampson, a Wegener's patient and registered nurse. Now this foundation provides resources on a variety of related diseases, including Wegener's granulomatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. The Vasculitis Foundation provides a Web site, newsletter, brochures, informational materials, medical consultants, and support groups. Vitiligo Support International www.vitiligosupport.org With more than 40,000 registered members, this organization connects patients through message boards and chat connections. It also provides the latest information on treatment options.

Supplement: Organizations for Autoimmune Diseases

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of