Sacramento, CA (May 4, 2012) – The International Pemphigus Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF) has announced its 15th Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, is the largest in its 18-year history.
“For an ultra orphan disease conference, our turnout is amazing! With nearly 250 people registered, we’ve doubled our previous best in 2006,” said Will Zrnchik, Interim CEO of the IPPF. “People are coming from all over to hear 23 speakers representing several countries talk on oral, respiratory, and skin effects and treatments. This is the meeting patients will always remember.”
The weekend-long event runs May 18-20, 2012 at the Hyatt Harborside Hotel in Boston, hosted by Boston dermatologist Dr. A Razzaque Ahmed. The IPPF Annual Awards Gala will feature entertainment by the Berklee School of Music and the New England Conservatory. Pemphigus and pemphigoid (P/P) are rare, autoimmune blistering diseases that affect both sexes regardless of race or ethnicity and is seen in less than 1 person out of every 100,000 (though there is a higher incidence in those of Ashkenazi and Mediterranean descent). It is estimated 30,000-40,000 people currently live with P/P in the United States, while worldwide 49,000 more are diagnosed each year. For researchers, the autoimmune disease is a model one for further study because it’s pathology, while complex, is limited to the dysfunction of one protein–desmoglein.
Backed by companies such as KabaFusion, and other event sponsors AxelaCare, Crescent Healthcare, NuFactor, PNC Financial Services, BIOFUSION, Centric Health Resources, the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution, and numerous individual donors, this year’s conference is slated to be a milestone for the disease population, medical professionals and for researchers alike. For more information on the meeting, visit www.pemphigus.org/2012am.
About the International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF)
The International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF) is an international patient organization that provides support, advocacy, awareness, and education to those affected by the rare, autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) pemphigus and pemphigoid. Since 1994, the IPPF has been a US-registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization championing AIBD research, medical professional education, and public awareness. The IPPF offers support services to thousands of patients, caregivers, and medical professional each year. For more information on the International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation, contact the IPPF at (855) 4-PEMPHIGUS, (916) 922-1298, or online at www.pemphigus.org.
