Association Research Program Featured in OrphaNews Europe

We are pleased to inform you that our 2010 research program grant announcement has been featured in the March 19 edition of OrphaNews Europe, the bi-monthly e-newsletter of the European Commission's Rare Diseases Task Force. The newsletter provides the European rare disease community with vital information regarding orphan drugs, research, national and international policy, funding opportunities, patient associations, and events. Established in 2004, the Task Force works directly with the European Commission Public Health Directorate in promoting collaborative efforts for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.

By promoting the Association’s research program, OrphaNews Europe has made physicians and scientists throughout Europe aware of the opportunity to apply for grant funding for research into the histiocytic disorders. This exposure is crucial to the success of the Association’s research program, which is designed to fund the best and most promising clinical and basic research worldwide, regardless of the location where it is conducted.

In order to stimulate increased participation from researchers within the United States and abroad, the Association has arranged for this year’s grant announcement to be to be distributed and featured on the websites of a number of influential organizations, including the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the NIH Office of Rare Disease Research, and GrantsNet.

We are delighted to share this exciting news with you, as each high quality grant funded by the Association takes us one step closer to our goals of identifying better methods of treatment and, ultimately, a cure for the histiocytic disorders.



Researcher Testimonials

“The financial support of the Histiocytosis Association of America has put research in the histiocytic disorders and research in dendritic cells and monocytes/macrophages on the map!”

Maarten Egeler, MD, PhD
Leiden University Medical Center

“Over the past several years, HAA-funded research has changed our basic understanding of the origins of “Langerhans Cells” in LCH. Our ultimate goal is to apply these discoveries to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with LCH. Without support from the HAA and families that support the HAA, none of this research would be possible. Thank you.”

Carl Allen MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
Texas Children's Cancer Center

“We are very happy and proud to be selected by the Histiocytosis Association for support of our research. The Histiocytosis Association of America is unique by bridging the motivation of parents and relatives, the burden of patients, and the passion of doctors and researchers to gain insight into the disease and find a solution for cure.”

Marion Schneider, MD
Universitatsklinikum Ulm

“The HAA award is allowing us to build our research program despite the challenging economic climate. With this support we will continue to make critical progress towards understanding the biologic basis for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis disorders. It is our hope we will gain knowledge that ultimately will enhance the treatment of patients for many years to come.”

Kimberly Risma, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center

“We are very grateful to the Histiocytosis Association of America for the funding we have received. It will be very useful for our research into Erdheim-Chester Disease. We sincerely thank you for this wonderful gift.”

Zahir Amoura, MD; Julien Haroche, MD
Hospital of Paris

“It’s a great honor and pleasure for me to be awarded a Histiocytosis Association of America research grant. I know that our scientific effort will contribute to a better understanding of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. I deeply appreciate all that the members of the Histiocytosis Association have made possible.”

Ichiro Murakami, MD, PhD
Okayama University