Welcome to our new web page for the Phoenix, Arizona Chapter! This site is in it's infancy and will be evolving as a place to visit for information, support and up to date Chapter information and is being developed for patients, caregivers, family, friends, and medical professionals who are seeking the most up to date information that is available today regarding vasculitis diseases.
The Phoenix Chapter was begun in 2006 and we have had ongoing meetings four - five times a year since then. Between meeting times, we stay in touch with one another to lend support as well as information that may be helpful depending upon what one's needs are at any given time. We are very pleased to meet at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, which is located at 56th Street and Mayo Boulevard, in Phoenix. We always find it helpful to clarify that we meet at the "hospital and not the clinic, which is in Scottsdale." Folks sometimes think the Scottsdale location is actually the hospital.
Our group was started when my husband and I moved to Arizona five years ago. When being in touch with the national office asking if there was a Phoenix Chapter and finding out there wasn't one at the time.........our group was established. I was diagnosed six years ago with Takayasu Disease when living in Virginia.............I remember thinking "I have no idea what this is and on top of that, I didn't know how to pronounce it!" Between that time and now I have learned a great deal including knowing I always have much more to learn as research is taking place every day which is benefiting the medical community and patients. I am grateful after three years of the disease being active, to now be in remission.
I believe in the goals of the Vasculitis Foundation to provide Support, Awareness and Research. As a mother and grandmother, I hope to be able to be part of offering information to our children and theirs as they travel their life journey managing their health. Education and knowledge make one a more responsible patient. Gratefully, the medical field has come a long way in the past few years which will benefit patients with an earlier diagnosis than years before. There are now treatments which are facilitating a better opportunity for one's disease to go into a state of remission.............we wish this for all vasculitis patients.
To all who visit our Phoenix, Arizona Vasculitis site, we will be making every effort to make it as informational and supportive as possible. You will notice there is a link to the national office, which will be offering their most current information. You are also invited to share your thoughts as this is a Chapter site offering us all the opportunity to stay in touch on an ongoing basis with shared information. This will also offer us the opportunity to share our local information with family members who are not located locally.
Grateful appreciation is expressed to Joseph Carpenter, the Central New Mexico Chapter Leader, who showed such support and kindness in facilitating our site being developed. I'm always amazed how much we have learned about technology and then how much more there is to learn...........I know I couldn't have done this without his help.
Wishing everyone good health,
Carole
Carole Studdard
Phoenix Chapter Leader
Vasculitis Foundation
"Together We Can Make a Difference"
623 974 9324
