During April's Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, Patients Have Additional Support from the American Lung Association and Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research

Online tutorials and in-person support groups will allow patients to proactively manage this complex disease

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Apr 02, 2019, 09:45 ET

CHICAGO, April 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifelong Chicago resident Debbie Davis was hospitalized at the age of 49 for a series of symptoms that included dry mouth, swollen lymph nodes and shortness of breath. She was quickly diagnosed with sarcoidosis – a disease that causes your immune system to overreact and cause lung damage, skin rashes, eye disease and more. During April's Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, the American Lung Association and Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research are partnering to offer support for sarcoidosis patients like Davis through in-person support groups and online tutorials.

Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes your immune system to overreact, which can lead to health issues. Learn more about this rare disease, its sign and symptoms, and how you can manage sarcoidosis at Lung.org/sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that causes cells to group together into clumps called granulomas. When too many granulomas form on an organ, they may interfere with the organ's function. Sarcoidosis can affect any organ in the body; however, lungs and lymph nodes are impacted in more than 90 percent of cases. Although anyone can develop sarcoidosis, it is most common among people between the ages of 20 and 40, and more severe and more likely to be chronic in African-Americans.

"Sarcoidosis is a confusing disease, and symptoms can come and go – making diagnosis difficult," said Ginger Spitzer, Executive Director of Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. "With good medical care, most cases of sarcoidosis can be well-controlled. And with a rare disease like sarcoidosis, nearly as important as healthcare is the emotional support that comes from learning and leaning on others impacted by this difficult disease."

The American Lung Association and Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research will be hosting kick-off events welcoming sarcoidosis patients to the Lung Association's Better Breathers Clubs in Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and New York City, New York. Better Breathers Clubs are welcoming support groups for patients and caregivers affected by chronic lung diseases to learn better ways to live with lung disease while getting the support of others in similar situations. Led by a trained respiratory therapist, these in-person adult support groups give participants the tools they need to live an active and healthy life.

"Joining a Better Breathers Club showed me that I wasn't alone," said Davis. "While I learned about ways to better manage my sarcoidosis – including pulmonary rehabilitation – I also made friends, many of whom I now consider to be some of my closest friends and allies."

Throughout the month of April, the two non-profit partners will be offering support through online tutorials that share the latest resources for patients and caregivers, as well as hosting an "Ask The Expert" series on the online support community platform Inspire. From April 15 - 19, Lisa A. Maier, M.D., MSPH, FCCP, Professor of Medicine, Pulmonology and Chief of the Division of Occupational Health and Environmental Health Sciences at National Jewish Health will be answering patient questions.

Patients and caregivers can learn more about sarcoidosis and access live and recorded webinars at Lung.org/sarcoidosis or StopSarcoidosis.org, and join a Better Breathers Club in their community at Lung.org/better-breathers. Registered nurses, respiratory therapists and counselors are also available for one-on-one support through the tollfree Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA or online chat at Lung.org/helpline.

About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

About the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for this disease and to improving care for sarcoidosis patients. Since its establishment in 2000, FSR has fostered over $4 million in sarcoidosis-specific research efforts and has worked diligently to provide resources to thousands. The Foundation connects and provides resources for over 40,000 sarcoidosis patients, and directly funds research initiatives critical to breakthroughs. For more information about FSR, to volunteer, or make a donation, visit: stopsarcoidosis.org

April's Sarcoidosis Awareness Campaign is supported in part by grant funding from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE American Lung Association