Academy News: September 2004
Lay Organizations
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Immune Deficiency Foundation
40 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 308
Towson, MD 21204
Phone (800) 296-4433
www.primaryimmune.org |
 United States Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET) research awards
The USIDNET Steering Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of four outstanding research grants. The committee has awarded a total of seven research grants since November 2003.
USIDNET award recipients
(As of July 30, 2004)
Charlotte Cunningham-Rundles, MD, PhD, FAAAAI
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York
Research title: “Investigation of ICOS and other Signaling Pathways in CVID”
Don Estes, PhD
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas
Research title: “Dendritic cell-derived factors in IgA deficiency”
Ramsay Fuleihan, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
Research title: “Towards gene therapy of X-linked hyper IgM”
Donald Kohn, MD
Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
Research title: “A Site-Specific Gene Therapy Method to Ameliorate Primary Immune Deficiency”
Kim Nichols, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Research title: “SRC Homology 2 (SH2) domain containing gene 1A (SH2D1A)”
Narayanaswamy Ramesh, PhD
Children’s Hospital of Boston
Research title: “Role of WIP in WASP Homeostasis”
Andrew M. Scharenberg, MD
University of Washington-Seattle
Research title: “Signaling competent transformed cell lines for functional analysis”
USIDNET, a research consortium, was established to advance scientific research in the primary immune deficiency diseases. The next USIDNET grant review deadline date is November 1. Additional information is available on the USIDNET Web site, www.usidnet.org.
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Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
11781 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 160
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone (800) 929-4040
Fax (703) 691-2713
www.foodallergy.org |
 Food allergen labeling
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) was signed into law by President Bush, and will take effect January 1, 2006.
FAAN extends its gratitude and appreciation to the AAAAI Board of Directors, members and committees who supported this important legislation.
Internet sites may report
misleading information
FAAN has been receiving calls from concerned parents and physicians regarding misleading and incorrect information about food allergies on the Internet. The Internet is an incredible tool for quick access to information but may not provide accurate or credible information as it pertains to food allergies.
Please caution your patients to be wary of information on the Internet, especially from chat rooms and bulletin boards. Remind them to speak to you before making any changes to their child’s diet or medications. For additional information, please direct your patients to the Featured Topics page of FAAN’s Web site, www.foodallergy.org, for the article, “Surfing the ‘Net,” which provides further insight for spotting inaccurate information on the Internet
New addition to children’s book series teaches preparation
FAAN’s newest addition to the Alexander, the Elephant Who Couldn’t Eat Peanuts book series, Always Be Prepared, highlights the importance of carrying medication. Children will learn from Jake, a character in the book, who is allergic to eggs but doesn’t think he needs to carry his medicine all the time. When Jake has a reaction far away from home and doesn’t have any medicine with him, everyone learns why it’s important to always be prepared. This colorful storybook is available for $5.00 from FAAN, www.foodallergy.org.
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Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1233 20th St. NW, Suite 402
Washington, DC 20036
Phone (202) 466-7643
Fax (202) 466-8940
www.aafa.org |
 Research: second research grant awarded
AAFA awarded an Investigator Grant Award to David Lewis, PhD, Associate Professor of the Pediatrics, Immunology and Transplantation Biology Division, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, for his research project, “Mechanisms of viral-induced asthma: Role of TH1 cytokines and dendritic cells.” As a result of AAFA’s first grant to Lewis two years ago to support this study, his research found that influenza A infection augmented allergen sensitization and asthmatic inflammation. These findings have important clinical implications for immunotherapy for asthma patients and this second grant award will allow Lewis to continue his project. Visit AAFA’s Web site, www.aafa.org, to learn more about our research grant program.
Education: new patient brochure on exercise-induced asthma
AAFA’s newly updated, easy-to-read brochure for patients, parents, teachers and others, entitled “Exercise and Asthma,” is a popular brochure in our special pamphlet series, “Living with Asthma and Allergies.” The brochure answers the most common questions about exercise-induced asthma (EIA), including symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment options, and names famous athletes with asthma. It’s all in easy-to-understand language with helpful illustrations. It’s perfect for parents, teachers and coaches. Order a supply of these brochures and other materials for your patients at www.aafa.org.
Advocacy: fighting to keep coverage for antihistamines
AAFA actively supports the “Asthmatic Schoolchildren’s Treatment and Health Management Act of 2003” (HR 2023), that if passed, will encourage states to establish laws allowing students to carry and self-administer asthma and anaphylaxis medicines. Approximately 30 states have such laws in place or are considering such laws for life-saving asthma medicines.
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Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
2751 Prosperity Ave., Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone 800-878-4403
Fax (703) 573-7794
www.aanma.org
E-mail aanma@aol.com |
 Congress is helping make schools a safer place to breathe
This summer, the U.S. House of Representatives took a huge step toward protecting the breathing rights of students with allergies or asthma. After Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill 2004, HR2023, a Bill encouraging states to allow students to carry and self-administer lifesaving medications in school and during school related activities, was put on the fast track through the House approval process. The bill is expected to be approved soon and is sparking similar legislation in the Senate.
Learn about laws in your state and how to contact your elected officials. Visit AANMA’s Web site, www.breatherville.org/cityhall, or call Marissa Magnetti at (800) 878-4403, x115.
Mastering medications
Most five-year-olds know the difference between a tyrannosaurus and a pterodactyl, so why don’t more people know the names of their asthma medications?
If your patients can only tell you they use a “white” inhaler, it’s time for them to learn more about their medications. Help them help you with Asthma Inhalers, a new poster that will assist them in identifying which MDI or DPI medicines they are taking. For more information call (800) 878-4403 or visit the pharmacy at www.breatherville.org.
Winning the gold
Critics agree, AANMA’s flagship publication, The MA Report, is a solid gold winner. The Society of National Association Publications (SNAP) recently awarded the 18-year-old newsletter the Gold Award for General Excellence, praising the publication for its “compelling content,” “excellent use of graphics and art,” and “clean appearance.”
With recent topics such as getting kids ready for asthma emergencies at school and the benefits of nasal washes, don’t let your patients miss an issue. The MA Report is distributed 8 times a year, and professional members receive 10 copies each. Call (800) 878-4403 or visit AANMA’s Web site, www.breatherville.org/membership/.
 Web site update
The American Latex Allergy Association is in the process of updating their Web site, www.latexallergyresources.org. One of the current projects is to make their extensive resource manual available online. In addition, Internet users will be able to join the American Latex Allergy Association and order products online. All of this is part of a continuing effort to make latex allergy information more accessible.
A new FAQ section related to false negative RAST tests in children has also been added to the Web site. The question was answered by John F. Halsey, PhD, from IBT Reference Laboratory. There is a new “Related Topics” section, where the first subject is an extensive look at anaphylaxis, and related press releases are welcome for the new “Press Room.”
Latex Allergy Awareness Week
In response to a request from the American Latex Allergy Association, Gov. Jim Doyle has proclaimed October 3-9 as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in Wisconsin.
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The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
3419 Whispering Way Drive
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone (713) 498-8216
Fax (281) 238-9436
www.apfed.org
E-mail mail@apfed.org |
 Web site update
APFED’s team continues to work diligently to revamp our Web site. We are revising and expanding our current materials to include the most up-to-date literature and information to provide a single resource that will serve both the patient and the medical community. Our goal is to maintain the definitive resource for eosinophilic disorders, including eosinophilic enteritis or eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG), eosinophilic colitis (EC) and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Diagnoses of eosinophilic disorders continue to increase, as does the need for a comprehensive resource for newly diagnosed patients. As such, revision of our Web site remains APFED’s primary goal.
APFED Patient Education Conference
The third APFED Patient Education Conference is slated for July 15-17, 2005 in Cincinnati, OH. Although these conferences focus on the patient and present an understanding of eosinophilic disorders, APFED welcomes and encourages medical professionals to attend. Material is presented by the top specialists in the nation and always reflects the most recent research. This conference offers clinicians a rare opportunity to work side-by-side with patients and parents outside of the clinical setting. Doctors who have attended previous meetings have consistently reported receiving invaluable information and interaction. Please visit the APFED Web site, www.apfed.org, frequently for upcoming announcements related to the conference.
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