The ABDA launched it's first website in the late 90's and it consisted of a few pages of information about Behcet's Disease as well as the National Conference. It generated about 35,000 hits a year. In 2002, the ABDA designed a new site with features like the Doctor Registry, and Faces of Behcet's Disease. The updated site generated over 75,000 hits per year.
Now, it's 2005 and we are embarking on a new level of functionality and interactivity. We realize that with a rare, world-wide disease, the best tool for us to reach the population is the World Wide Web. Below you will see a summary of functionality that the new site provides. We invite you to look around and please feel free to make suggestions using our Contact Form. Remember that different levels of functionality require appropriate membership levels. Be sure to visit our Member Benefits area to see what membership level is appropriate for you!
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Organized Navigation & Updated Content
The site has been redesigned in a very organized manner - to keep the most important information at your fingertips. And with a new Content Manager, we are able to update the content easily!
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Member Usernames and Passwords
Members can log into the site and edit their information, or auto-populate forms,etc.
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Doctor Registry
Behcet's Disease is so rare that it is difficult for patients to find knowledgeable physicians to treat them. This Registry is a patient referral system that allows members to refer their doctor to the Behcet's Community. Visitors can then search by a variety of criteria to find a doctor in their area.
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Faces of Behcet's
You are NOT alone. This area proves it. As a member, you can post your story and picture and update it at any time. Viewers can take comfort in knowing that there are so many others who understand what they are going through. Search for other members by geographic area, age, etc. to find someone in your area to connect with or simply read their story.
Member Directory
All members will be given the choice to be listed in our member directory. The directory is available only to other ABDA members and you can search the directory for fellow members in your state. You can also list all members who choose to be involved.
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Message Boards
There are three message boards available to visitors and members:
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General Message Board. Patients talking to Patients
Topics like "Getting through the Day" and "Family and Children" users can post messages or replies and even e-mail people individually.
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Ask the Doctor (Premier Members Only)
Answered by some of our Medical Board Members, members can find topics like "Diagnosis", "Symptoms" and "Treatments" in this area.
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Ask the Lawyer (Premier Members Only)
Premier Members will be able to post questions about Legal issues and Members and Lawyers will respond back with personal experiences as well as advice about the Law.
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Medical Profile
Premier Members of the ABDA can store their medical history on our server and update and print the information at any time. This is a great tool to use so that every time you visit a hospital or healthcare professional, your information is in hand for the office and the doctor can get down to the very important job of taking care of you!
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Event Calendar
Searchable by event, day, month or year, this calendar holds event information relevant to the Behcet's Community. You can even ask for a reminder when the event is coming up!
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From the Heart...
Coping is just one of many sections in the "From the Heart" area, this information comes from sufferer's to sufferer's about how to get through the day. Members can submit their own ways of coping with this often debilitating disease. You can also find recipes, "We wish you knew" and more in this patient contributed area.
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Chat Room
While the ABDA does not host the Chat room, we carry the link and all of the instructions to get you on-line and chatting several nights a a week with fellow patients around the world.
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On-line Donations
If you would like to donate, you can do so online now. You can even sign-up for recurring donations that follow custom schedules that you set up.
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Event Registration
Members can register for events such as the Walk for Behcet's Disease and the National Medical Conference. Premier members can even select payment plans for the Conference to be sure they are funded to attend!
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Memory Wall/ Honor Wall
Users can set up a Memory Wall for their loved-one to memorialize or honor their life and accomplishments. Complete with pictures, poems, etc - this site can really show the true side of your hero. Invite others to view your memorial and leave a note or donation in their name.
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Free Literature Requests
Members can quickly and easily request Literature to be sent to them free of charge. To help us educate the Medical Field, they can also request that medical information be sent to their doctor or healthcare professional.
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ABDA Products
The ABDA Store is loaded with branded merchandise that helps us to create awareness about this ignored disease. Visitors can order products online quickly and easily.
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Events and Conferences
Check the Resource area to find links to recaps of our past events as well as notice of future events that effect the Behcet's community.
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This page was updated July 4, 2005
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