Congressional Briefing Slated on Sjögren's and Autoimmunity

The Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation and National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups are excited to announce the third annual Congressional Briefing on Autoimmune Disease. The event is slated for March 16, 2005, in Room 124 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building starting at 9 a.m. and marks another successful initiative in the SSF’s advocacy program to increase awareness and educate congressional members and staff about Sjögren's syndrome and related autoimmune diseases.

The keynote speaker will be Bhagirath Singh, Scientific Director for the Institute of Infection and Immunity at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He will talk on funding and research strategies for autoimmune disease in Canada. Attendees will also hear the latest about U.S.-sponsored research into autoimmune disease from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which will have just released an update on its Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan. The SSF played a major role in obtaining the research plan and in its subsequent compilation. Our key autoimmune legislative initiatives will also be highlighted.

SSF members are invited to attend and help rally attention for Sjögren's syndrome! You must pre-register by contacting SSF Director of Research and Scientific Initiatives and Coalition Coordinator, Kathy Hammitt, at khammitt@sjogrens.org. Space is limited, so participation will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Members who attend are encouraged to visit their legislators following the two-hour event.

Watch your Moisture Seekers newsletter and the SSF website for a list of the 2005 congressional briefing sponsors and the follow-up story on the briefing.

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