April 21 Proclaimed Sarcoidosis Day in Chicago
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago has proclaimed April 21, 2025, to be Sarcoidosis Day in Chicago.
In a Proclamation Letter, Mayor Brandon Johnson stated Sarcoidosis Day will raise awareness about sarcoidosis, the inflammatory disease that attacks multiple organs — the lungs and lymph nodes in particular — and encourage all Chicago residents to support the and the in their efforts to ensure a healthier tomorrow.
The Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (STAR) Center at 开云全站app下载 is one of Chicago leading centers for evaluating and providing comprehensive care to patients with all forms of sarcoidosis. The STAR Center is led by Dr. Nadera Sweiss, chief of the Division of Rheumatology. Dr. Sweiss manages more 1,500 patients with sarcoidosis, and this clinic represents a group of mostly African American and underserved patients. Dr. Sweiss about the comprehensive care, research, and state-of-the-art treatment for the inflammatory disease being done at 开云全站app下载.
With funding from the National Institutes of Health, the STAR Center focus on using genetic and genomic technologies to identify markers determining risk for the development of sarcoidosis, response to treatments, and prognosis. With these studies, 开云全站app下载 also seeks to find new treatment targets for the disease. Our ultimate goal is to deliver personalized medical care to patients with sarcoidosis. We also offer participation in clinical trials evaluating new therapies for sarcoidosis.
Read Mayor Johnson’s full proclamation below, and visit the STAR Center for more information on sarcoidosis research and treatment.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, sarcoidosis is a non-contagious, chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also cause significant damage to other vital organs, including the kidneys, brain, skin, and central nervous system; and
WHEREAS, the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for sarcoidosis, improving patient care, and raising vital funding for sarcoidosis research; and
WHEREAS, the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis is a nonprofit organization founded by legendary comedian Bernie Mac, who passed away due to complications from sarcoidosis. The foundation is dedicated to raising funds for research and increasing public awareness of the disease; and
WHEREAS, founded by Dr. Nadera Sweiss, the Bernie Mac STAR Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago is working to provide comprehensive care for patients with all forms of sarcoidosis through cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art treatment, and collaborative efforts between a multidisciplinary team and other sarcoidosis organizations; and
WHEREAS, by increasing funding and research for sarcoidosis, we aim to enhance methods of detection, diagnosis, and treatment, bringing us closer to finding a cure for this complex disease; and
WHEREAS, April 13, 2025, has been designated as worldwide Sarcoidosis Awareness Day to call attention to sarcoidosis as a disease affecting many Americans and countless individuals worldwide, underscoring its significance as a global public health concern:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRANDON JOHNSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, do hereby proclaim April 21, 2025, to be SARCOIDOSIS DAY IN CHICAGO to raise awareness about sarcoidosis and encourage all residents to support Sarcoidosis Research to advance research, improve care, and create a healthier future.
Dated this 21st day of April, 2025
