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Date(s) - 08/07/2021
11:00 am CDT - 12:00 pm CDT

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Join us Saturday, August 7, 2021 – 11AM-12PM CST (12-1PM EST, 10-11AM MT, 9-10AM PST).

Sarcoidosis is often referred to as the Great Mimicker, and Cutaneous (or Skin) Sarcoidosis truly lives up to this moniker. And for our host, FSR Patient Advocate, Dr. Mary McGonagle, sarcoidosis has been a family affair. After losing her husband, PJ to sarcoidosis, Mary has become deeply involved in raising awareness about this disease, and has been a supporter through her brother’s journey with pulmonary, cutaneous, and cardiac sarcoidosis as well. Through her roles as a fierce sarcoidosis advocate and fundraiser, Board-Certified Dermatologist, and care partner, Mary will share tips and successes she has learned along the way, including the roles diet, meditation and exercise play in managing sarcoidosis. Mary will also touch on the skin changes seen in sarcoidosis.  

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/august-sarcsocial-focus-on-skin-sarcoidosis-tickets-164040787411  

 

About our host: 

Mary McGonagle was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and is the 10th child of 11 to her parents John and Joan Gibbons.  She has seven brothers and three sisters.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Temple University and her Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) medical degree from The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Mary practiced Dermatology and Dermatopathology for 14 years.  She later switched her medical focus and currently works as a Medical Director in pharmaceutical research. 

Mary met her late husband PJ McGonagle at the age of 21.  Only a few short months after they started dating, PJ’s father died of sudden cardiac arrest.  His father was only 49 years old.  An autopsy was never performed, so the exact cause of his “heart attack” was never uncovered. 

Mary and PJ married 5 years later and remained happily married for 19 years.  During their marriage, Mary’s brother was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis, which had been misdiagnosed as severe seasonal allergies for years.  Several years later, PJ was diagnosed with acute arthritis secondary to sarcoidosis.  Prior to his sarcoidosis diagnosis, PJ suffered with mysterious symptoms since the age of 19.  His many trips over the years to his family doctor and to the ER never resulted in a definitive diagnosis until the age of 41.  After PJ’s sarcoidosis diagnosis, Mary suspected that cardiac sarcoidosis was likely the cause of sudden death for PJ’s father.  Just four short years after PJ’s diagnosis on August 7, 2014, at the young age of 45, PJ died suddenly from cardiac arrest while at home with Mary.  Despite having a normal echocardiogram less than 12 months prior and normal recent EKGs, clearly sarcoidosis had invaded PJ’s heart, leading to his premature death. 

Because of all of this, Mary became involved with the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research with the hope of preventing further fatal outcomes.  She started a Walk to Remember PJ McGonagle, which has blossomed into quite a successful fund-raising event.  Mary is very grateful to be able to host this annual event as it not only serves a greater good but also allows her to reconnect with many of PJ’s friends.  Since PJ’s death, Mary’s brother has been diagnosed with cardiac and cutaneous involvement of his sarcoidosis.  She is happy to report that he is doing well and his disease seems to have stabilized.   

 

 

Sponsored by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

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