Autoimmune Life Blog

Community and news about autoimmune diseases, allergies and more.

Blog Main Aaron Justin Newton Editorial
October 8, 2014

Food Allergies Motivate Boys to Contribute to Research

Most kids take a backpack to school for their books and lunches. But since they were 4 and 7 years old, Aaron and Justin carry their backpacks everywhere. They are filled with lifesaving medications including epinephrine auto injectors and Benadryl. Aaron also carries an asthma inhaler.

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Blog Main Image - BRI Equipment Robotic Sample Processor
October 1, 2014

Using Data for Public Good

The Immune Tolerance Network’s (ITN) TrialShare Clinical Trials Research Portal has won the National Academy of Sciences Data and Information Challenge. The theme of this year’s competition was “Using Data for the Public Good.”

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Feature - Clinical Research Subject Blue
September 8, 2014

FAQs About Clinical Research Studies

Have you considered volunteering for a clinical research study, but were unsure if it was something you could do comfortably and confidently?

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Blog Main Image - 2D Multiple Sclerosis MS Myelin Healthy v Damaged
August 1, 2014

Hopeful Progress in Multiple Sclerosis Research

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects more than a million people worldwide including 15,000 in the Northwest. It affects women twice as often as men. MS is the most common medical cause of neurological disability in young adults ages 20-40. Usually MS happens in multiple attacks.

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Blog Main Image - Scientific Tuft Cells in Mouse Small Intestine
July 8, 2014

Leading a Biomarker Center To Fight Type 1 Diabetes

Biomarkers are key tools for scientists studying autoimmune and other diseases. A biomarker is a measurable characteristic that reflects a normal biological process or disease state.

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Blog Main Vivien Frank Dvorak Editorial
July 1, 2014

Dvoraks Fund Autoimmune Disease Research

As a young man, Frank Dvorak had set his sights on a career in aviation. He was in his senior year at the Royal Military College of Canada when he received the life-changing diagnosis: type 1 diabetes. Because of his disease, he was grounded from flying.

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Blog Main Adam Isaiah Dad Editorial
June 8, 2014

Joining Research to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes

Adam’s grandfather was diagnosed at age 12, his father, Reid, at age 29, and his older brother, Isaiah, at age 9. When Isaiah was diagnosed, his mother, Jenifer, began investigating if there was a way to keep Adam and his little sister, Rosie, from developing diabetes.

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Blog Main Image - Scientific Colon Human Cross-Section
May 1, 2014

New Biorepository Studies Celiac Disease

Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose and has no cure. Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) recently launched a new biorepository for the disease to collect blood samples, tissue samples and medical histories of people with the disease.

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Blog Main Image - BRI Tech Hands Holding Stick
April 1, 2014

Wright Bequest to Accelerate Translational Research

The estate of Leonard and Majorie Wright of Mukilteo, Wash., recently bequeathed $2.5 million to Benaroya Research Institute for translational research. Marjorie Wright died in 2013 and Leonard Wright passed away in 2007. They were both patients at Virginia Mason Medical Center.

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Blog Main Image - Hands Elderly Held
March 8, 2014

Arthritis Patient Finds Relief

On July 5, 2013, Chris Wood became extremely ill from food poisoning he contracted at a Fourth of July picnic. But in addition to the normal, highly unpleasant symptoms, Chris’s joints were so swollen he could hardly stand, walk or write.

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