Vasculitis Foundation 2010 Symposium
July 30 to August 1

The Vasculitis Foundation has announced that the 2010 Patient Symposium will be held from July 30 to August 1 in Long Beach, California. This year marks the first year that the Symposium will take place in the western part of the country. The conference is held every other year and is the largest meeting of vasculitis patients, family members and medical vasculitis experts in the world. Topics will cover all the vasculitides and will concentrate on the advances in medical treatments, research and quality of life issues for vasculitis patients. Newly diagnosed patients will find hope and receive encouragement that they will get better; experienced patients will find the most up-to-date information on treatments and staying in remission.

The Registration Fee for the 2010 Symposium is $225/person and includes admittance to the educational sessions, exhibit area, handouts and scheduled meals. It does not include lodging. Registration will open in December and can be made directly on the VF website. All Symposium events will take place at the beautiful Westin Hotel in Long Beach. The VF has secured discounted hotel room rates of $175/night for participants who wish to stay at the hotel. The hotel has extended this rate both before and after the symposiums for participants who might like to stay in the area and visit the many tourist attractions. To make your hotel reservations by phone, call 1-800-WESTIN1(1-800-937-8461) or 1-562-436-3000 and ask for the Vasculitis Foundation room block.

The VF recognizes that although vasculitis is a family of diseases, each disease has its own special concerns. One of the meeting’s goals is to provide the opportunity for patients to connect with other patients living with the same disease (CSS, TAK, WG, PAN, etc.) and to meet with vasculitis experts to address and discuss these concerns. Churg Strauss patients will meet for an extended lunch on Friday with leading CSS researchers Dr. Carol Langford of the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Ulrich Specks of the Mayo Clinic.

Joyce Kullman, Executive Director of the VF and Dr. Peter Merkel, lead investigator for the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium, have created the following preliminary schedule:

Lectures:
Vasculitis 101 - An Overview:  Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Etiology and Manifestations
Vasculitis and Pediatric Patients
New and Emerging Therapies in Vasculitis
·      Immunology for the Patient with Vasculitis
·      What’s Happening Now in Clinical Research in Vasculitis
·      Recently Completed Clinical Trials in Vasculitis and Implications for all Patients with Vasculitis
o   Rituximab
o   Other Therapies
Small Vessel Vasculitis
·      Standard of Care Therapy for Small Vessel Vasculitides
·      Dealing with the Chronic Medical Effects of Small Vessel Vasculitides
·      Q and A for Small Vessel Vasculitides
Large Vessel Vasculitis
·      Standard of Care Therapy for Large Vessel Vasculitides
·      Dealing with the Chronic Medical Effects of Large Vessel Vasculitides
·      Q and A for Large Vessel Vasculitides
Complementary Medicine
Disability- Rights of Patients w/ Vasculitis: Insurance, Workplace, Vocational Retraining
Peripheral Neuropathy Associated with Vasculitis
Reproductive Health Issues for Women and Men with Vasculitis: Fertility and Pregnancy
Understanding Lab Tests for Patients with Vasculitis
Vasculitis Medication Review (dosing/toxicities)

Breakout Sessions:
Advocacy and the VF
Cardiovascular Issues (cardiac conditions, stroke, hypertension, and vascular disease and health)
Caregivers
Ear/Nose/Throat
Eyes
Gastrointestional Issues
Kidney
Lungs (asthma, chronic breathlessness, infections)
Organizing your Medical Records
Organizing Your Medical Team
Pharmacy
Seeking a Second Opinion

The 2008 VF Symposium at the Mayo Clinic was very well attended by Churg Strauss patients (see below)

There are additional photos of CSS patients at the 2006 and 2008 VF Symposium on the CSSISG message board. To read about the 2006 and 2008 VF Symposiums from a CSSers point of view please read the following articles. 2006 Symposium , 2008 Symposium

Four CSSA Board members, Alicia Perkovich, Kate Tierney, Lynn Corwin and Jane Dion are all looking forward to this event and to having the opportunity to meet with members of the CSS community.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Jane Dion
November 2009