December, 2007: Sanya Richards, Olympic Gold-Medalist, joins the ABDA team!
We are so happy to announce that Reigning Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion (4 x400M) sprinter Sanya Richards, the fastest 400M sprinter in the world, has agreed to join the ABDA team!

It may surprise you to know that Sanya Richards, a picture of awesome strength and beauty, suffers from Behçet’s Disease.Sanya Richards is an Olympic Gold Medalist and one of the world’s fastest women. She will represent the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and hopes to take home Gold Medals in the 400m 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay. You can learn more about Sanya at her website: www.sanyarichards.net.

While recently diagnosed and working to get hold of her symptoms, Sanya continues to break records in track all over the world. We are so very pleased to announce that despite her busy schedule, Sanya has graciously agreed to work with the ABDA to help bring awareness to Behçet’s Disease. Stay tuned to the ABDA website and Newsletters to find out more about Sanya’s role with the ABDA.

Read more about Sanya in our upcoming newsletters!

September, 2007: The 2007 Walk for Behçet’s Disease in Michigan was a success!

What a terrific event! For the first time, the Walk for Behcet's Disease was held in Michigan, and there was a great turnout! Thanks to Sandy McElgunn, ABDA Vice-President, our Northern US and Canadian friends gathered on a beautiful day and walked for a great cause!

The event raised over $15,000 in donations, and even more in spirit and hope for those who suffer. Check out the Winter, 2008 newsletter for more about this exciting event. Looking forward to 2009!

December, 2006: Behçet’s Featured on Discovery Health Channel!
The Discovery Health Channel aired Joanne Zeis' struggle with Behcet's on Mystery Diagnosis throughout the month of December. If you didn't catch the program and want to see the show, contact Joanne for more information.

March, 2005: Behçet’s Syndrome Evaluation, Treatment and Research Center is Open in New York!

Dr. Yusuf Yazici, MD opened a center dedicated to Behçet’s Syndrome in New York, New York in March 2005. This center enables the evaluation of sizeable numbers of Behçet’s patients and brings together physicians with different areas of interest within vasculitis and, specifically, Behçet’s Syndrome under one roof.

The center is able to conduct and participate in clinical trials in understanding the pathophysiology of Behçet’s Syndrome and evaluate treatment options and be one of the leading centers in North America. There is more information about the Center in our Winter 2005 Newsletter.

The ABDA and The Behçet’s Center will have a special partnership, so members of the ABDA will have first-hand access to scheduled events at the center. You can contact the center at 646-356-9400 to make an appointment.

The 2005 Walk for Behçet's Disease was September 17th, 2005. It was held again in Long Island, New York and sponsored by Bausch and Lomb. The Annual Member meeting took place on Saturday after the walk. Thank you to Dr. Yazici for giving his talk on the "State of Behcet's" and Dr. Foster for his talk on uveitis. We would also like to thank all of you who participated this year!