The American Academy of Dermatology  |  www.aad.org

The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential and most representative dermatology group in the United States. With a membership of more than 17,000, it represents virtually all practicing dermatologists in the United States, as well as a growing number of international dermatologists.


The Society for Investigative Dermatology  |  www.sidnet.org

Founded in 1937, the Society for Investigative Dermatology is a professional membership organization serving scientists and physicians working in academic settings, researchers in government and industry, practicing dermatologists, residents, post doctoral fellows and members of the lay community interested in skin research. The organization has 1,700 members worldwide and publishes The Journal of Investigative Dermatology —the premier journal dedicated to research in cutaneous biology.


The American College of Rheumatology  |  www.rheumatology.org

The American College of Rheumatology is a professional organization for physicians, health professionals and scientists dedicated to advancing rheumatology. The organization meets its mission through programs of education, research, advocacy and practice support.


National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases  |  www.niams.nih.gov

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) researches diseases of the bones, joints muscles and skin. Its mission is to support research into the causes, treatment and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. NIAMS is one component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).


National Organization of Rare Disorders  |  www.rarediseases.org

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), is a nonprofit federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare or “orphan” diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research and service.


Orphanet  |  www.orpha.net

Orphanet is a reference website for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs, for all audiences. Orphanet’s aim is to help improve the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with rare diseases.


LUPUS

The Lupus Foundation of America  |  www.lupus.org

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), established in 1977, is the largest national non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus. LFA provides support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus. LFA has nearly 300 chapters and support groups nationwide and provides research, education, advocacy and support services on the federal, state and local levels.

The European Society for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus  |  www.euscle.org

The European Society for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (EUSCLE) fosters awareness, understanding and research of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and its management throughout Europe. Our primary task is to achieve consensus concerning evidence based clinical standard for CLE assessment and to develop diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines of this disease.


DERMATOMYOSITIS

The Myositis Association  |  www.myositis.org

The Myositis Association of America was established in 1993 with 16 initial patients provided by the National Organization of Rare Disorders. After years of extensive outreach and interest generated on the Internet, the organization has grown to 6,000 members on every continent. Physicians, scientists, and medical professionals support the organization through a medical advisory board and provide medical information to patients, staffand researchers.


SCLERODERMA

The Scleroderma Foundation  |  www.scleroderma.org

The Scleroderma Foundation, established in 1998, is the national organization for people with scleroderma and their families and friends. The Scleroderma Foundation, headquartered in Danvers, Massachusetts, offers a nationwide network of 23 chapters and more than 150 support groups; toll-free helpline providing information and referrals to callers; quarterly magazine called, Scleroderma Voice; and Informational brochures, booklets, newsletters and website.

The Scleroderma Research Foundation  |  www.srfcure.org

The Scleroderma Research Foundation is a national organization established in 1987 to fund medical research aimed at improved therapies and a cure of this disease. It is the single largest nonprofit funding source for scleroderma research and devotes a greater percentage of its annual budget to scleroderma research, more than any other nonprofit organization.


VASCULITIS

The Vasculitis Foundation  |  www.vasculitisfoundation.org

The Vasculitis Foundation, established in 1986, is an international organization for patients with vasculitis and for their families, friends and the health care professionals who care for them. The Vasculitis Foundation advocates for early diagnosis and cutting edge treatment for all patients, no matter where they live. It partners with researchers around the world to determine the cause of various forms of vasculitis and discover its cure. The organization works to alleviate the isolation that patients and their families experience when these life-threatening diseases affect them. New and improved treatments and a greater understanding of vasculitis have increased the life expectancy for patients and also improved their quality of life. For many patients, vasculitis becomes a chronic illness, requiring constant and careful management by the patient and his/her medical team.