Doctors', Patients' Organizations Bring NIH Experts to Patients via Webinar about Future of Deadly Lung Disease Research

The American Thoracic Society and the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis connect patients to NIH leaders to explore fibrotic disease across organ systems

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- James Kiley, Ph.D., the Director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and Jerry Eu, M.D., the new program director for NHLBI's pulmonary fibrosis (PF) research, will co-host a webinar geared at sharing important information with patients and families about research into PF, a deadly lung disease that has no FDA-approved treatments and no cure.

The American Thoracic Society and its Public Advisory Roundtable (ATS PAR) will partner with the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) to bring the nation's top experts directly to patients via the one-hour webinar, which will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 2 p.m.(ET) with the theme: The Future of Pulmonary Fibrosis Research – Fibrosis Across Organs.

Dr. Kiley and Dr. Eu will co-host the event along with ATS PAR's chair Teresa Barnes and Gregory Cosgrove, M.D., a pulmonologist and PF researcher from National Jewish Health in Denver.

"This webinar will provide patients with the most up-to-date information on research into this devastating disease," said ATS President Monica Kraft, M.D. "We are very pleased to be able to offer patients an opportunity to interact with this distinguished panel of researchers."

"What better way to know what is going on in a disease that affects you or someone you love than by hearing directly from the experts and asking them questions?" said Ms. Barnes, Chair of the ATS PAR, who is vice president of the CPF. "This is an opportunity for patients, families and caregivers to learn more about a topic of growing interest in the medical community – fibrosis across organs."

To register for the free webinar, visit: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/631142241.

The ATS convened the first Fibrosis Across Organs meeting between researchers and physicians concerned about fibrosis in the lung, heart, liver, kidney and skin in March of this year. Dr. Cosgrove led that meeting for the ATS and Dr. Eu was a key participant. The meeting stemmed from an idea developed by Ms. Barnes and her husband, Dr. John Tosi. The NHLBI is planning a workshop on the subject in November.

The webinar is part of the series "Disease Weeks at the ATS," an effort that is gaining increasing attention with members of the medical profession and their patients, Pulmonary Fibrosis will be the focus of Disease Week from September 23-29, A webpage dedicated to the disease will be available at www.thoracic.org, and the webinar will be archived on the website following the event.

The event also falls during the month proclaimed by the CPF as National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. For a complete list of PF Month activities, visit: http://www.coalitionforpf.org/cpf_advocacy_sept2012.php

About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring – known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. There is currently no known cause or cure. Approximately one percent of patients' lives are extended through lung transplants. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis. Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

About the American Thoracic Society
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The Society's 15,000 members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care and advocacy.

About the CPF
The CPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 26,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

SOURCE Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis; American Thoracic Society