April 21 Proclaimed Sarcoidosis Day in Chicago
Sunday, April 21, 2024
The Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago has proclaimed April 21, 2024, to be Sarcoidosis Day in Chicago.
In a Proclamation Letter, Mayor Brandon Johnson stated Sarcoidosis Day will raise awareness about sarcoidosis, the inflammatory disease that attacks multiple organs — the lungs and lymph nodes in particular — and encourage all Chicago residents to support the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research in their efforts to ensure a healthier tomorrow.
The Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (STAR) Center at UI Health is one of Chicago leading centers for evaluating and providing comprehensive care to patients with all forms of sarcoidosis. The STAR Center is led by Dr. Nadera Sweiss, chief of the Division of Rheumatology. Dr. Sweiss manages more 1,500 patients with sarcoidosis, and this clinic represents a group of mostly African American and underserved patients. Dr. Sweiss recently spoke with NBC Chicago about the comprehensive care, research, and state-of-the-art treatment for the inflammatory disease being done at UI Health.
With funding from the National Institutes of Health, the STAR Center focus on using genetic and genomic technologies to identify markers determining risk for the development of sarcoidosis, response to treatments, and prognosis. With these studies, UI Health also seeks to find new treatment targets for the disease. Our ultimate goal is to deliver personalized medical care to patients with sarcoidosis. We also offer participation in clinical trials evaluating new therapies for sarcoidosis.
Read Mayor Johnson’s full proclamation below, and visit the STAR Center for more information on sarcoidosis research and treatment.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, sarcoidosis is a non-contagious, chronic inflammatory disease that commonly affects the lungs but can strike and cause significant damage to other vital organs such as the kidneys as well as the central nervous system by impacting the brain and skin; and
WHEREAS, the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for sarcoidosis, improving patient care, and raising vital funding for sarcoidosis research; and
WHEREAS, the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis is a not for profit organization that was founded by legendary comedian Bernie Mac, who died from complications of Sarcoidosis, with the mission of raising funds for sarcoidosis research and promoting active awareness of sarcoidosis; and
WHEREAS, founded by Dr. Nadera Sweiss, the Bernie Mac STAR Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago is working to provide comprehensive care for patients with all forms of sarcoidosis through cutting edge research, state-of-the-art treatment, and collaborative efforts between a multidisciplinary team and other sarcoidosis organizations; and
WHEREAS, it is the hope that through encouraging funding and research for sarcoidosis, we will improve methods of detection, diagnosis, and treatment of this complex disease and become another step closer to discovering a cure for sarcoidosis; and
WHEREAS, April 21, 2024 has been designated as worldwide Sarcoidosis Awareness Day to call attention to sarcoidosis as a disease affecting many Americans and countless others around the world arousing very important global, public health concern:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRANDON JOHNSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, do hereby proclaim April 21, 2024 to be SARCOIDOSIS DAY IN CHICAGO to raise awareness about sarcoidosis and encourage all residents to support the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research in their efforts to ensure a healthier tomorrow. Dated this 21st day of April, 2024.
