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Shining a Light on Eosinophil-Associated Diseases

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Atlanta, GA (May 14, 2024) – The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is celebrating the 3rd annual World Eosinophilic Diseases Day (WEDD) on May 18, and the 17th annual National Eosinophil Awareness Week (NEAW) May 19-25, 2024.

Eosinophils (pronounced “ee-oh-sin-oh-fills”) are a type of white blood cell that play a role in immune system responses. Typically, eosinophils make up less than 5% of circulating white blood cells, but many different conditions can cause the body to make too many eosinophils, including but not limited to allergies (food and environmental), certain infections (caused by parasites), certain cancers.

When a person has too many eosinophils in their digestive system, tissues, organs, and/or bloodstream, without a known cause, it may be because of an eosinophil-associated disease. The diagnosis depends on where in the body the eosinophils are found. Eosinophils may affect different parts of the body, including but not limited to the gastrointestinal tract, heart, sinuses, blood, lungs, bladder, and connective tissue.

Eosinophil-associated diseases are chronic conditions that require long-term management. The symptoms may be debilitating and impact quality of life. Both adults and children may be affected and many subsets of eosinophil-associated diseases are rare.

In celebration of World Eosinophilic Diseases Day and National Eosinophil Awareness Week 2024, more than 50 landmarks in more than 40 states will be lighting up magenta, the color of eosinophilic disease awareness. These landmarks include bridges, sports stadiums, and tourist attractions, to name a few. A complete list of lightings, as well as suggested activities for individuals and groups to celebrate these special events appears at apfed.org/neaw.

Another way APFED will elevate awareness this month is by launching a public awareness campaign on the digital display of NASDAQ Tower in New York City from May 19-26. This campaign will teach people common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a subset of eosinophil-associated diseases that affects the esophagus, which can make swallowing food difficult or uncomfortable. The ad will appear in rotation, 4 times an hour during the campaign period. The opportunity was made possible thanks to grants from Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda.

APFED is asking members of the public to help raise awareness by taking photos of special lightings they see, or in front of the digital billboard at NASDAQ Tower, and sharing the photos on social media using the #NEAW #eosaware hashtags.

“As a patient community, we’re thrilled to see the spotlight shining brightly on eosinophil-associated diseases during World Eosinophilic Diseases Day and National Eosinophil Awareness Week,” said APFED Executive Director Mary Jo Strobel. “These events not only raise awareness and improve symptom recognition, but also provide a sense of unity and support for those navigating the challenges of living with these conditions. Together, we can amplify our voices and advocate for greater understanding, research, and support.”

“Increasing awareness of eosinophil-associated diseases is crucial in ensuring early detection and management,” said Mirna Chehade, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, and founding director of the Mount Sinai Center for Eosinophilic Disorders at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City. “Events like World Eosinophilic Diseases Day and National Eosinophil Awareness Week help educate the public and healthcare providers alike, fostering a better understanding of these complex disorders. We hope that this will improve the lives of affected patients and their families.”

To learn more about eosinophil-associated diseases and ways to celebrate World Eosinophilic Diseases Day and National Eosinophil Awareness Week, please visit apfed.org/NEAW.

APFED is grateful for the support of its education partners during its 2024 celebration of National Eosinophil Awareness Week. This includes Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers SquibbTM, EvoEndo®, GlaxoSmithKline, Reckitt Mead Johnson, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda. Their support provides APFED with the means to create and disseminate educational materials to patients, providers, and the public with broad outreach.

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About American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)
Founded in 2001, the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists and supports patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated disorders, by providing education, creating awareness, supporting research, and promoting advocacy. To learn more, visit apfed.org.

 

APFED Honors World Eosinophilic Diseases Day, May 18, 2023

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Atlanta, GA (May 18, 2023) – The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is celebrating  the 2nd annual World Eosinophilic Diseases Day May 18, 2023, to increase global awareness of these conditions.

Eosinophils are a type of blood cell that have a role in immune system responses to medical conditions such as infections, inflammation, and allergies, to name a few. If a person has too many eosinophils without another known cause, it may be because of an eosinophil-associated disease.

The diagnosis depends on where in the body the eosinophils are found, including the gastrointestinal tract, heart, sinuses, blood, lungs, bladder, connective tissue. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, trouble swallowing, food getting stuck in throat, stomach pain, loss of appetite or weight loss, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain, and wheezing.

Eosinophil-associated diseases are chronic conditions that require ongoing medical care. The symptoms and day-to-day management of these conditions may significantly impact quality of life. The conditions affect both adults and children.

“Eosinophilic diseases affect people around the globe,” said Mary Jo Strobel, APFED’s Executive Director. “By uniting with patient advocates around the world, we can speak with a unified voice, calling attention to the myriad of symptoms patients experience. Elevating awareness of these conditions can help reduce diagnostic delays and lead patients to treatments faster.”

This year, in celebration of World Eosinophilic Diseases Day, APFED announced new resources, including:

 

  • A podcast episode (number 023) featuring Dr. Florence Roufosse, President of the International Eosinophil Society, who discussed global unmet needs for eosinophilic diseases.
  • A multicomponent cross-sectional needs assessment study for EoE in the US. APFED collaborated on this study which aimed to understand the patient journey for EoE as well as health care providers’ awareness of and practice around EoE. The summary is available in a report called Life with EoE: The Patient Experience and Opportunities to Improve Care in the U.S.
  • A plain language summary of a landmark patient charter for eosinophil-associated diseases, which was the outcome of a global collaboration. The summary was published in the journal Immunotherapy.

 

To learn more about eosinophil-associated diseases, visit apfed.org.

 

About American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

Founded in 2001, the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists and supports patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated disorders, by providing education, creating awareness, supporting research, and promoting advocacy. To learn more, visit apfed.org.