Autoimmune Diseases Association

Autoimmunity causes lupus, arthritis, celiac, MS, fibromyalgia, diabetes, Crohn's, thyroiditis, Graves' and over 90 other diseases. Through research and patient services, we work to end the tremendous suffering they inflict.

Why do we exist?

Prior to our inception in 1991 there was no institution or national health agency focusing on autoimmunity and the tremendous health problems associated with the 100+ autoimmune diseases. Unlike the many forms of cancer (which are recognized as being part of the general term "cancer"), autoimmune diseases have been recognized singularly rather than in the overall catagory of "Autoimmunity". This has caused untold suffering for millions because of incorrect diagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and fragmentation of research.

What have you accomplished?

The broad topics of research, public education, and patient service programs get the headlines, but sometimes a better snapshot of the AARDA can be told through those who call on us. Some examples:

• The young woman, recently diagnosed with Lupus (a systemic autoimmune disease) who came to us pregnant and despondent. In talking with her, we discovered a history of miscarrages and suggested she be tested for antiphospholipid syndrome (a little known, but treatable, autoimmune disease that can cause fetal loss). It lead to her first successful full term baby.

• The day we intervened for the family of a nine-year-old boy who was going blind from Uveitis (an autoimmune eye disease) by getting him into a research program at the National Institutes of Health.

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