Moving Forward - November 2007 Dear Friends, As I review the many successes of the HAA over the past year I am reminded of how involved our members are. It is our members that make everything that we do possible. YOU make the work of the Association possible and you have a right to be proud of our accomplishments. The success of our research initiative is amazing. We have been able to fund a total of 110 research projects and are about to award even more. The annual Histiocyte Society meeting was a resounding success and new information leading to the possibility of better treatments was presented. Our participation in the LCH III treatment protocol has resulted in even more rapid collection of important data thus presenting a clearer picture of this disease and the result of treatments. Using this knowledge the Histiocyte Society will be implementing LCH IV in the future. Other new protocols have already been put in place. The Histiocytosis Association works in partnership with the Society in supporting these efforts. As the Association grows larger it is important to become smaller – to that end we have organized or assisted local support groups across the country. We anticipate that these “circles of friends” will help bring our nationwide programs even closer to your local community. We want to initiate even more new groups around the country. If this is something that you would be interested in organizing in your area please call the Association. Our new web site has enabled new and exciting possibilities. You can network with other patients and families, view educational videos, download educational materials and receive email updates through the website. If you have officially joined the HAA via our web site you have already benefited by receiving a copy of the 2007 Histiocyte Society Meeting Program. Most of you know about our Dear Friends campaign. We send you materials and ask that you send a letter to 10 of your friends asking that they join with you in supporting the HAA. This year we are also making participation in the Dear Friends Campaign possible through our web site. You will soon be able to go to online and make your own personalized web page to send out to your entire email list. Your friends can easily make a donation through our secure online site. Over the next few days we will be awarding additional research grants. My next message will contain all the exciting details. Sincerely,
Jeff |
