For Immediate Release

Contact: info@stopsarcoidosis.org

THE FOUNDATION FOR SARCOIDOSIS RESEARCH LAUNCHES
NATIONAL SARCOIDOSIS AWARENESS WEEK AT K.I.S.S. CHICAGO 2005

Chicago, IL (5 February 2005) On Saturday, February 5th, the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) launched National Sarcoidosis Awareness Week at KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) Chicago 2005. In its third year in Chicago and fifth year nationwide the event brought together supporters, patients and their families to raise more than $150,000 to support sarcoidosis research and to kick off a week of nationwide activities designed to raise awareness of this devastating disease.

FSR Founder and President Andrea Wilson, herself a patient, expressed her gratitude to attendees and in particular the tremendous support provided by presenting sponsor NBC-5 who in 2002, lost sports anchor Darrian Chapman to undiagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis. “We know this cause means a great deal to WMAQ and we cannot thank you enough for the amazing coverage of KISS week from PSAs to on-air interviews to a special segment on the Today Show this morning. Thanks to your efforts and the many friends and supporters of FSR here tonight, we may soon be able to ‘KISS’ sarcoidosis goodbye.”

Highlighting an exciting evening of surprises, event emcee, NBC-5 Sports Anchor Peggy Kusinski was joined by famed Boston Celtics player William Russell and his daughter Karen, both patients who shared their personal experiences in managing a disease for which there is no cure. “We all remember Bill Russell as a legendary basketball player who won 11 NBA championships, after tonight we will also remember him as the champion of a new cause,” said Ms. Kusinski as she urged the crowd to bid on basketballs signed by the five-time NBA Most Valuable Player. Also auctioned was a one-of-a-kind print of spokesmodel and sarcoidosis patient Karen Duffy’s lips designed by the artist Nicolosi and signed by the actress.

As part of the Foundation’s mission to provide direct support to critically needed sarcoidosis research, the first ever KISS Chicago Young Investigator Award was presented to Dr. Kyle Hogarth of the University of Chicago. “The UC Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is comprised of world-class physicians and scientists who treat and investigate the causes of sarcoidosis. We are hopeful that luring new investigators to the field will help address one of critical gaps facing sarcoidosis research and bring us another step closer to finding new and improved therapies for sarcoidosis patients,” commented Ms. Wilson.

Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DO-SIS) can appear in almost any organ in the body, but is found most often in the lungs or lymph nodes. It is the most common chronic fibrotic lung disorder in the United States. Typically sarcoidosis victims are young 20 to 50 years old. The effects of sarcoidosis can range from mild, without symptoms, to very severe. It is important to properly diagnose the disease. In some cases it can be fatal. Although sarcoidosis affects 1 in 2500 Americans, 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.

2005 Campaign Supporters include:  NBC-5 Chicago, Sloan Valve Company, Intrinsic Capital Partners, Centocor, McDonald's, Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal, KPMG and Marsh.