For Immediate Release

Contact: info@stopsarcoidosis.org

THE FOUNDATION FOR SARCOIDOSIS RESEARCH CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY
DURING THE YEAR OF THE LUNG

Chicago, IL (1 June 2010) Hundreds of millions of people struggle each year for life and breath due to lung diseases. The annual cost runs to billions of dollars in lost productivity and increased health care expenses – to say nothing of diminished and ruined lives.  Yet public demand and political commitment remain inadequate to effect significant change.

To raise awareness about the importance of lung health, generate social and political support for preventing and treating lung disease and encourage increased funding for lung disease research, the American Thoracic Society and the Forum of International Respiratory Societies have proclaimed 2010: The Year of the Lung.  This global effort unites health advocates behind a single purpose: to convey the urgency of the threat lung disease poses to the public’s health and to galvanize support for developing new treatments that will make a difference in the lives of millions with lung disease.  

"The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is pleased to celebrate our 10th anniversary year by joining with lung health organizations around the world as a supporter of The Year of the Lung,” said FSR Executive Director Debbie Durrer. “Although sarcoidosis is one of the most common causes of fibrotic lung disease in the U.S., the cause remains unknown and there are virtually no safe, effective treatments.  We hope that the year’s effort will highlight the need for an expanded investment in research for all lung disease.”

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system inflammatory disease. However, more than 90% of US patients have lung involvement. Common lung symptoms of sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DO-SIS) include dry coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, or pain with breathing, chest pain, tightness, or discomfort and coughing up blood.  Lung problems caused by sarcoidosis can include:

• interstitial lung disease (also called pulmonary fibrosis), which occurs when inflammation causes scar tissue to form on the lungs, leading to reduced oxygen levels in the blood and shortness of breath.

• fibrocystic disease, which is an advanced form of lung disease that causes scars that block airways.

• pulmonary hypertension (also called pulmonary arterial hypertension), which is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs caused by scar tissue that narrows or blocks them. The hypertension makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the vessels, which can weaken the heart muscle and hinder its ability to deliver oxygen to the lungs.

• bronchiectasis, which makes the airways in your lungs unable to clear out mucus. The mucus then builds up, creating an environment where bacteria will grow. Over time, the airways become inflamed, stretched out, and scarred, making it harder for the lungs to move air through them.

• aspergilloma, which is a clump of fungus that forms in healed lung scars and enlarged airways. It can cause bleeding in the lungs.

"The connection between breath and life is fundamental.  We hope this campaign raises the profile of lung disease on the public health agenda," said Ms. Durrer.

About Year of the Lung
2010: The Year of the Lung is a multifaceted campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of lung health,  generate social and political support for preventing and treating lung disease and encourage increased funding for lung disease research and development.  The campaign was convened by a colation of lung health advocates who recognize that the lungs have been neglected for too long in public discourse.  For more information, please visit www.yearofthelung.org.

About Sarcoidosis & FSR
Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DO-SIS) is an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ in the body.  It causes heightened immunity which means that a person's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage to the body's own tissues. Sarcoidosis is often serious and can even be life-threatening, especially if you do not know you have it.  The cause remains unknown and there is no cure.

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to improving care for patients and to finding a cure for this disease. Since 2000, FSR has worked to position sarcoidosis as a growing problem on the U.S. health care agenda and established itself as the authoritative resource for patients, health professionals and the public.  For more information, please visit www.stopsarcoidosis.org.