Conquering Sjogren’s: Follow us on our journey to change the face of Sjogren’s

 On July 23rd, the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation (SSF) invites you to participate in World Sjögren's Day - the perfect opportunity for people to come together to raise awareness about this devastating disease.

World Sjögren's Day was established by the SSF more than a decade ago and is the birthday of Dr. Henrik Sjögren (who first identified the disease in 1933). More importantly, it is meant to put a face on the millions of people who live with this disease and for everyone touched by the disease to come together to conquer the complexities of Sjögren's. 

World Sjögren's Day is also a valuable vehicle to educate others about the disease; it is a reason to donate or help raise funds to further Sjögren's research and education; and it draws attention to the impact Sjögren's has on people around the world!

During the month of July, YOU can help make a difference:

• Share Your Story & Raise Funds: Create a personalized fundraising page and share why this cause is so important to you. Then ask your family and friends to support your efforts by making a donation to help conquer the complexities of Sjögren's.

• Help Raise Awareness: Talk about Sjögren's with the people in your life. Share your personal story or that of a loved one with family, friends, neighbors or co-workers. Educate those around you about the disease. You can use this fact sheet to help.

• Make a Donation: Support the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation by making a donation in recognition of World Sjögren's Day or in honor of yourself or a loved one fighting the disease.
• Create your own SSF World Sjögren's Day Picture Overlay on Social Media.

Celebrating the future of the SSF!

This past July 23^rd, the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation (SSF) joined with organizations around the world to celebrate the 8^th annual World Sjögren's Day and what would have been Dr. Sjögren's 119^th birthday. World Sjögren's Day commemorates the birthday of Henrik Sjögren, the ophthalmologist who first discovered the disease in 1933, which has helped all patients find answers to their health questions.

More importantly, celebrating this day allows us to reflect back on the incredible advancements recently made in Sjögren's and look to the future at all the work that still lies ahead.

With millions of patients suffering around the world, Sjögren's is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases but it is not a “cookie cutter” disease and affects patients differently. The complexity of Sjögren’s can be seen in the various types of treatments and care needed for patients.  Its complexity is also seen in the progress the SSF still needs to make.

Every day the SSF strives to represent your voice and provide hope to patients and their families through our many initiatives.  Every program and project is evaluated with the patient in mind, which is why we want to hear from you!

Let your voice be heard!

In honor of this past World Sjögren’s Day, we encourage you to share with us your views of the SSF and how you envision the future. Let your voice be heard and comment below with your thoughts on the following SSF questionnaire.

Questionnaire:

Celebrating the future of the SSF and hope for Sjögren’s

(Please share your answers below or email them to tms@sjogrens.org)  

• What SSF resource(s) are you the most thankful for:
• What are the three most important focuses of the SSF:
• In the next five years, how do you envision your future (or that of a loved one) living with the disease:
• What are your hopes for the future of Sjögren’s for the next generation:

This past Monday, July 23^rd, people from around the world joined together in recognizing World Sjögren's Day. The Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation was truly moved by the number of donations we received, the amount of Sjögren's fact sheets downloaded, and all of the encouraging posts that were shared on social media. It was a very successful day that brought a great deal of awareness for the disease.

The SSF appreciates any efforts you can make throughout
the year to help every day feel like World Sjögren's Day!

Sincerely,

Steven Taylor

Chief Executive Officer

 

On July 23^rd, the SSF invites you to unite with us and participate in World Sjögren's Day!

While World Sjögren's Day commemorates the birthday of Henrik Sjögren, a Swedish ophthalmologist who first identified the disease in 1933, it is more importantly a way to help raise awareness for Sjögren's. It is meant to put a face on the millions of people who live with this disease or suffer from symptoms and have yet to be diagnosed. It gives everyone touched by Sjögren's a vehicle to reach out and educate those close to them - family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. - about the disease. It is the ideal opportunity for you to have your voice heard and to spread awareness about this life-altering disease.

Leading up to World Sjögren's Day and especially on the day itself, we encourage you to use this opportunity to let your voice heard and talk about Sjögren’s with the people in your life. By sharing your story and educating others, you are helping to form the message that Sjögren's is a serious disease that deserves to be recognized. You may also be helping someone who is looking for answers to their problems.

How Can You Get Involved:

• Share Your Story & Raise Funds! Create a personalized fundraising page and share why the cause is so important to you. Then encourage family and friends to support your efforts by making a donation to help further Sjögren's research and education. 
• Update your social media profile picture with the “World Sjögren’s Day” filter
• Host a Facebook Awareness/Fundraising Event
• Donate to the SSF
• Talk about Sjögren’s! 

What is Sjögren’s?

Sjögren’s (“SHOW-grins”) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the entire body. Along with symptoms of extensive dryness, other serious complications include profound fatigue, chronic pain, major organ involvement, neuropathies and lymphomas.

Today, as many as four million Americans are living with this disease and nine out of ten patients are women with an average age of onset in the late 40’s. However, Sjögren’s can occur in all age groups, even in children.

On July 23rd, the SSF invites you to unite with us and participate in World Sjögren's Day!

World Sjögren's Day commemorates the birthday of Henrik Sjögren, the Swedish ophthalmologist who first identified the disease in 1933 and has helped all patients find answers to their health questions. This year, the SSF will join with other organizations around the world to celebrate recent advancements made in Sjögren's this past year and raise awareness of the disease in honor of Dr. Sjögren.

We encourage you to use this opportunity to let your voice heard and talk about Sjögren’s with the people in your life. By sharing your story and educating others, you are helping to form the message that Sjögren's is a serious disease that deserves to be recognized. You may also be helping someone who is looking for answers to their problems.

How Can You Get Involved:

• Share Your Story & Raise Funds! Create a personalized fundraising page and share why the cause is so important to you. Then encourage family and friends to support your efforts by making a donation to help further Sjögren's research and education. 
• Update your social media profile picture with the “World Sjögren’s Day” filter
• Host an Awareness Event
• Donate to the SSF
• Talk about Sjögren’s! 

What is Sjögren’s?

Sjögren’s (“SHOW-grins”) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the entire body. Along with symptoms of extensive dryness, other serious complications include profound fatigue, chronic pain, major organ involvement, neuropathies and lymphomas.

Today, as many as four million Americans are living with this disease and nine out of ten patients are women with an average age of onset in the late 40’s. However, Sjögren’s can occur in all age groups, even in children.

UPDATE:

World Sjögren’s Day Raises over $8,000!

Thank you to everyone who shared their story and donated in honor of World Sjögren’s Day, which was created to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Henrik Sjögren! Together, we not only increased awareness of this debilitating disease but also raised over $8,000 for Sjögren’s research and SSF patient programs!

Remember, even though the day has passed you can still donate in honor of Dr. Sjögren and all patients.  Click here to learn more.

Happy Birthday Dr. Sjögren's!

This July 23rd, the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation (SSF) joins with other Sjögren's organizations around the world to celebrate the 6th annual World Sjögren's Day and what would have been Dr. Sjögren's 116th birthday. World Sjögren's Day also allows us to recognize advancements made in Sjögren's this past year and the incredible progress the SSF has made on behalf of Sjögren's patients.

Sjögren’s (SHOW-grins) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease in which people’s white blood cells attack their moisture-producing glands. Four primary symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, dry eye and dry mouth, but Sjögren’s may also cause dysfunction of other organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system.

World Sjögren's Day creates an ideal opportunity for you to talk about Sjögren's with the people in your life and provide much needed awareness for this common yet little known disease. By sharing your story, you are helping share the message that Sjögren's is a serious and life-altering disease and it deserves to be recognized.