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The 1st Alpha-1 International Patient Congress Brings Together Alpha-1 Patient Leaders From Around the Globe
MIAMI
June 6, 2003
The Alpha-1 Foundation announced today it is hosting the 1st Alpha-1 International Patient Congress (A1IPC). The event, June 11, 2003, at the Grand Marina Hotel in the Port Vell of Barcelona, Spain, is being held in conjunction with the Alpha-1 International Registry (AIR) annual scientific meetings June 12-13, 2003. The Alpha-1 Foundation is Anchor Sponsor; event Co-Sponsors include AlphaNet, Bayer Healthcare Biological Products Division, Baxter Healthcare and Grifols, Inc. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a common genetic disorder that can result in life-threatening lung and liver disease. It is estimated that 26 million Americans are carriers of the gene for Alpha-1 and may be at risk for lung or liver disease, and can pass the defective gene on to their children.
“Individuals from around the world diagnosed with Alpha-1 have been communicating via the Internet for years and we are extremely pleased to be able to host the 1st Alpha-1 International Patient Congress to establish a direct dialog among the leadership of the international Alpha-1 community,” said John W. Walsh, President & CEO, Alpha-1 Foundation. “This first-ever international patient congress will give the Alpha-1 community an opportunity to interact and discuss key issues that impact those people diagnosed with Alpha-1.”
The congress is co-chaired by Sarah E. Everett, representing the Alpha-1 Foundation Board of Directors (United States) and Shane Fitch, Asociacion Espanola Para El Deficit de Alfa-1-Antitripsina (Spain). Congress participants include representatives of patient support groups from 14 countries worldwide, all of who are directly affected by Alpha-1, representatives of government agencies from Spain, and industry. Researchers representing the leading expertise of both liver and lung-related Alpha-1, will give scientific presentations.
The Alpha-1 Foundation The Alpha-1 Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded by individuals diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1). It is dedicated to providing the leadership and resources that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection, and a cure for Alpha-1.
The Foundation is committed to close collaborations with medical experts, the Alpha-1 community, government, industry, and other organizations to resolve critical issues in the field of Alpha-1 research and treatment. It has taken a leadership role in establishing an infrastructure that promotes research and the development of new therapies for improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with Alpha-1.
The Alpha-1 Foundation contributes 100% of private donations to Alpha-1 research. In the seven years since inception, the Alpha-1 Foundation has contributed over $12 million to research programs and grants with over $1.6 million committed to new projects in 2003.
For more information please visit www.alphaone.org or call toll free 1-877-2-CURE A1 (228-7321).
Contact: Silvana Rodriguez Tel: 305-567-9888 ext. 230 Email: srodriguez@alphaone.org
Source: http://www.alphaone.org/news/press_releases/1st_intl_patient_congress.html
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