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Hundreds Expected for 13th Annual Scleroderma Patient Education Conference Building a "Bridge to Hope" in San Francisco July 8-10 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DANVERS, MASS. (July 5, 2011) – Nearly 600 people are anticipated to visit the heart of San Francisco Friday, July 8, through Sunday, July 10, for the Scleroderma Foundation’s 13th Annual National Patient Education Conference. Patients, family members, caregivers, doctors and other health care professionals representing 40 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico will converge at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square for this engaging and educational event that focuses on scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. This year’s conference features a variety of workshops hosted by leading scleroderma researchers and medical professionals. Andreas Baxevanis, Ph.D., will give the opening keynote address on the promise of genomics and genome-based personal health care in disease management. James Lemons, Ed.D., will present the closing keynote on “Pain – The Psychology and Physiology: There is Hope.” Dr. Baxevanis is Assistant Director for Computational Bioscience, Office of Intramural Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Associate Investigator, Division of Intramural Research at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Md. Dr. Lemons is the director of The Lemons Center for Behavioral Pain Management in Lenexa, Kan., and a medical psychologist. “The entire weekend is an excellent opportunity for patients to come together in a supportive, social environment to learn about scleroderma from medical professionals and their peers,” said Kerri Connolly, Director of Programs and Services. “Our conference program provides patients, their families and caregivers with excellent information on research, disease management and coping with scleroderma.” Other conference highlights include:
In 2011, there were 18 full scholarships and seven partial scholarships awarded to first-time conference attendees. Scholarship recipients represent 13 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. The Scleroderma Foundation National Conference Scholarship Program is made possible by gifts from generous donors. “The volunteers and staff from the Scleroderma Foundation’s Northern California Chapter and the National Office worked diligently to assemble an exceptional program that features the country’s leading researchers, doctors and other health care professionals to share the latest information and resources about scleroderma,” said Joseph P. Camerino, Ph.D., Chair, Board of Directors. “The National Patient Education Conference offers all attendees valuable information to improve the lives of scleroderma patients and their families. It also provides a feeling of hope, friendship and understanding.” For more information about scleroderma and the National Patient Education Conference, visit www.scleroderma.org. Contact: |
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