All posts by Mary Jo Strobel

$7 Million Match for #GivingTuesday on 11/27!

APFED Blog, What's New

This year, in support of #GivingTuesday on November 27, 2018, Facebook is partnering with PayPal to match up to $7 million in donations made on Facebook to eligible US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

  • The matching dollars are available to any US-based nonprofit.
  • Each nonprofit and donor are eligible to be matched up to $50,000.
  • Facebook and PayPal will match donations starting at 8:00 AM EST and will continue matching donations made to nonprofits until the $7M match runs out.

How Can You Help APFED?
All #Giving Tuesday funds raised for APFED on Facebook will go toward our Give the Gift of HOPE campaign, which will help fund APFED’s Hope on the Horizon Research Program, as well as vital support, education, and advocacy initiatives!

  • Make a Facebook Donation and Encourage Others to Do the Same. All donations to facebook.com/APFED/ on Nov. 27th could be matched! Mark your calendar, set your alarm, and make your donation early on Nov. 27th. Matching starts at 8:00 AM EST!
  • Host a Facebook Fundraiser on Behalf of APFED! Visit fb.com/fund/APFED/ to get started. Share your fundraiser with your friends and family and ask them to donate and share your #GivingTuesday fundraiser. Don’t forget to share your fundraiser early on #GivingTuesday to maximize those matching dollars!

Don’t miss out on this incredible fundraising opportunity to double your donation and fundraise to help those living with eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs).

More About Facebook Fundraisers
Nonprofit fundraisers let you, our APFED supporters, raise money quickly and easily on Facebook. You can set up a dedicated page here to share why you support APFED, while also raising awareness of EADs.

Whether you’ve volunteered, donated, or you have a personal story to share, tell your friends and family why finding a cure for eosinophil-associated disease is important to you.

Your friends and family can donate in a few clicks without leaving Facebook, making it easier for you to collect donations and reach your fundraising goal.

Learn more ways to give on APFED’s Give the Gift of HOPE campaign page. And don’t forget to mark Tuesday, November 27, 2018 on your calendar for #GivingTuesday!

ACG 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course in Philadelphia

In the News

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is a professional organization for clinicians who care for gastroenterology patients. APFED participates in this annual meeting by providing information about eosinophil-associated diseases to attendees, and arming them with resources to help their patients.

This year’s meeting featured more than 30 research abstracts and lectures that described study findings or case reports related to eosinophilia. We’ve included just a few highlights below, along with links to find more information.

  • Siglec-8, a novel selective target for EGIDs, is found on eosinophils and mast cells. Biopsies from patients diagnosed with EG and EoE show a significant increase in eosinophils and mast cells. Mast cells were elevated to the same extent as eosinophils in these patients. In EG/EGE mouse models, anti-Siglec-8 monoclonal antibody significantly reduced the number of eosinophils and mast cells in the stomach, small intestine, and blood compared to control models. (https://bit.ly/2E9ARAa)
  • Recent meta-analysis confirms that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) usage is associated with an increased risk of bone fracture, therefore, clinicians will need to weigh the risk and benefits of using these medications long term. (https://bit.ly/2RFiw0u)
  • In a poster abstract entitled, “Documenting the Journey of Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Its Impact on Their Caregivers”, researchers describe results from structured community interviews in which APFED helped recruit participants. Patients with EoE and their caregivers commonly reported the following symptoms prior to an EoE diagnosis: abdominal pain (100%), regurgitation/reflux (64%), avoiding/refusing food (64%), and vomiting (64%). Adults commonly reported pain/difficulty when swallowing food (90%), chest pain (75%), and feeling an obstruction in the throat (75%). The majority of caregivers and adult patients indicated feelings of worry or anxiety, and reported that social activities were affected by EoE.
  • Researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago presented a poster outlining their retrospective chart review for adults with EoE who had undergone esophageal dilation for their EoE symptoms. The data showed that the average number of dilations per patient was 2.87 ± 2.62 dilations. The results of the center’s experience with esophageal dilation in EoE showed that dilation was a safe procedure and that the majority of strictures in EoE occur in the distal esophagus. The authors speculate that factors such as gastroesophageal reflux may influence stricture formation in EoE.

A list of all poster abstracts presented at ACG this year can be found online at https://bit.ly/2QB7FUf. Use the keyword search box to help you navigate the research terms that interest you.

To follow along with news from ACG, visit http://acgblog.org/

 

#TealPumpkinProject

Announcements, In the News, Uncategorized, What's New

Over the past four years, households around the globe have participated in the @tealpumpkinproject. APFED is proud to join @FoodAllergyFARE and other advocacy organizations in support of this national initiative to create a happier, safer Halloween for all by encouraging households to offer non-food treats this Halloween and display a teal pumpkin! Read more about the #TealPumpkinProject initiative at https://www.foodallergy.org

 

Mid-Year Progress Report

What's New

Thanks to community support, APFED has made great progress in the first half of 2018! Our donors and partners have enabled us to fund new research, create and disseminate new educational materials, and effectively advocate on behalf of all those living with eosinophil-associated diseases. We invite you to read our mid-year progress report to learn what has been achieved so far this year because of your generosity.

Every penny counts as we relentlessly seek answers, improved diagnostics and treatments, and ultimately a cure. Please consider a donation or fundraiser to support APFED’s mission, and encourage friends and family to do the same. You may earmark your entire donation to advance specific areas, such as to research or education, make a gift in honor of someone you love, or set up a recurring donation on apfed.org.

Thank you for your support!