American
academy of dermatology honors cicatricial alopecia research
foundation (CARF) with two golden triangle awards
CARF Recognized for the First CARF Patient Conference
and the CARF Website at the recent
American Academy of Dermatology gold triangle awards in San Diego
LOS ANGELES – July 7 – The American Academy of Dermatology
established the gold triangle awards to recognize media, industry,
health community, public service, and individual accomplishments
that further the understanding of dermatologic issues and encourage
healthy behavior in the care of skin, hair and nails. The Cicatricial
Alopecia Research Foundation (CARF) will receive two of these
prestigious Gold Triangle Awards at the 10th Annual Gold Triangle
Awards ceremony to be held on July 27th, 2006 in San Diego. “We
are honored and delighted to receive these two esteemed awards,” said
Sheila Belkin, who co-founded the Foundation along with Vera H.
Price M.D.
One award was for the First Cicatricial Alopecia Patient Conference
held in San Francisco in August 2005, where the lives of 60 individuals
were changed forever as a result of participating in the historic
event. Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia includes a group of rare
disorders that are difficult to treat and cause permanent hair
loss, often with much pain, itching and burning. Patients describe
their symptoms as “hair on fire.” At the Conference,
patients from across the United States, their families, doctors
and nurses had the opportunity to meet other patients, learn about
the latest treatments and cosmetic solutions, ask questions of
expert clinicians and researchers, participate in small group
discussions, share experiences, make friends, and offer support. “Rave
reviews were given by all who attended, and the successful first
conference led to the second patient conference held in Minneapolis
in May 2006,” reported Ms Belkin, CARF’S Chief Executive
Officer.
A second award was for CARF’s website, www.carfintl.org, which is the
sole educational forum in the world dedicated to serving individuals with
cicatricial alopecia, the medical community and the general public. The unique
website provides easy access to important current information including Frequently
Asked Questions answered by CARF’s Scientific Advisors, all leading
clinicians and researchers. The site also contains
photographic illustrations, up to date references, and information about opportunities
to meet other people with an interest in hair and these rare disorders.
About C.A.R.F. The Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation (C.A.R.F.)
was formed in 2001 as a result of one person's experience with
scarring alopecia (cicatricial
means scarring). When the patient realized that little is known about
such disorders, she decided, with the help of her doctor, to initiate
a grass
roots effort to raise funds for research to find effective
treatments and a cure,
to support education and advocacy, and to raise public awareness of these
rare diseases.
The Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation is a tax exempt, non-for-profit
organization. C.A.R.F. funds are available to support research that will
enhance our knowledge about this difficult group of diseases. To learn
more about
CARF research opportunities and activities, please visit www.carfintl.org.
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