In 1981, I was told something that would forever change my life. At the tender young age of twenty-two, the absolute prime of my life, I was told I had sarcoidosis. Not only did I go through the trauma of a long diagnosis process, having to take and deal with the side effects of prednisone, but also finally accepting the fact that I had a puzzling disease that could disfigure, disable or even kill me, I suffered through the startling realization that most doctors I knew did not know enough about the disease to offer much real consolation. Not only was I not secure in medical treatment, it took me five years to meet someone who had sarcoidosis and understood what I was going through. I met my friend, Judy. Unfortunately sarcoidosis was fatal to Judy.
So out of necessity, I became a sponge, soaking up any and every particle of information on sarcoidosis I could get my hands on. My quest for knowledge prompted me in 1991 to create the Sarcoidosis Research Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for research, providing patients with as much support and information as possible, and serving as a clearinghouse for medical professionals, supplying them with the latest developments in the treatment and possible cure for the disease. It has been a long struggle, but with the help of family, friends and many, many patients I have come to know over the years it has proven to be a worthwhile and successful endeavor.
The programs and services offered through SRI are custom designed to meet the specific needs of patients, their families and support networks. We focus on Public Awareness, Patient and Professional Education and Research initiatives. We hope these programs and services will be beneficial to you. We are committed to continuous improvement, so please let us hear from you.
Sincerely,
Paula Yette Polite
President
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