Landmarks and Businesses Across US and Canada to Illuminate Purple on April 13th for Sarcoidosis Awareness

CHICAGO, April 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At least 87 buildings, landmarks, and businesses across the United States and Canada will be lit purple on Saturday, April 13^th and surrounding days to help raise awareness about sarcoidosis, a rare inflammatory disease with no known cause or cure that affects an estimated 1.2 million people worldwide.

These lighting partners are taking part in an initiative called Illuminate the Night: Shine a Light on Sarcoidosis that is being coordinated by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR), the world's leading nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for this disease and to improving care for sarcoidosis patients. The initiative's first lighting partners, the Durst Organization and One World Trade Center in New York City, inspired an international movement in which dozens of volunteers, many of whom are patients themselves, invited other lighting partners to also shine a light on sarcoidosis. In this inaugural year of the Illuminate the Night initiative, One World Trade Center and the skylines of at least 33 US states and 2 countries will be lit purple as part of an entire month of activities in April for Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.

"We are so grateful for the business owners, legislators, and property managers who have responded to the calls of our volunteers to use their platforms to increase public awareness of sarcoidosis," said Ginger Spitzer, Executive Director of FSR. "While progress is being made in research, sarcoidosis remains a disease with no known cause, limited treatment options, and no cure. This opportunity to see community support for sarcoidosis is invaluable to the patients and loved ones who live with the disease every day."

Advocates are encouraged to share photos of purple landmarks with the hashtag #LitForSarc to spread awareness and strengthen the impact of the project. Individuals who wish to learn more about sarcoidosis and FSR's other April events and activities are encouraged to visit www.stopsarcoidosis.org/litforsarc.

About Sarcoidosis: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can occur in any demographic regardless of age, gender or race. It often strikes people between 20-40 years of age with a wide array of mysterious symptoms. It occurs when an individual's immune system goes into overdrive and they develop granulomas, tiny clumps of inflammatory cells, in one or more organ of their body. When too many granulomas form, they can interfere with an organ's function and lead to permanent damage. The cause of this disease is unknown. While the organs involved and progression of the disease vary widely, 90% of patients have lung involvement. Spontaneous remission is common; however, 30-40% of patients develop major organ involvement which can lead to organ failure and death. Others face reduced quality of life due to the symptoms of the disease which include chronic pain and uncontrollable fatigue and/or side effects from treatment. Despite progress in research, sarcoidosis remains hard to diagnose with few reliable treatment options and no known cure.

About the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research: The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for this disease and to improving care for sarcoidosis patients. Since its establishment in 2000, FSR has fostered over $4 million in sarcoidosis-specific research efforts and has worked diligently to provide resources to thousands. The Foundation provides resources and support for over 40,000 sarcoidosis patients, and directly funds research initiatives critical to breakthroughs. For more information about FSR, to volunteer, or make a donation, visit: stopsarcoidosis.org

Kelli Beyer, Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
Phone: 312-341-0501
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research

Related Links

https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/