Vasculitis Foundation launches new support group for young adults
Zoom meetings will occur every third Monday evening, starting Oct. 21
The Vasculitis Foundation has announced the launch of a new support group for young adults with vasculitis, a group of autoimmune conditions that includes ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).
The group will promote connections among young adults, from 18 to 30 years of age, living with vasculitis, which is marked by blood vessel inflammation. The group’s objective will be to “share tips, ask questions, voice frustrations, celebrate victories, and support each other in the journey,” the foundation stated in an email announcement to the community.
The meetings will occur via Zoom every third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. CT. The first meeting will take place on Oct. 21, and registration is through the event’s webpage.
Nancy S. Perry will be the moderator for the group. With a master’s degree in social work and three decades of experience, she specializes in working with teens and young adults. She has been honored multiple times for her work, and is also known for her humor and creativity, the foundation noted in the email.
AAV is a type of vasculitis characterized by inflammation in small blood vessels. Most cases are associated with the production of self-reactive antibodies, called ANCAs, against proteins in neutrophils, a type of immune cell. This leads to the excessive activation of neutrophils that ultimately trigger inflammation and damage to neighboring small blood vessels, which may affect many organs, most commonly the kidneys and lungs.
Support groups recommended to help patients cope with their disease
AAV mostly manifests during adulthood, but some other types of vasculitis can also begin at an earlier age. Physicians may recommend support groups to help patients cope with the lifestyle changes associated with the disease. Support groups are also a way for patients to talk about the impact of receiving a diagnosis on themselves and their family, the wide age range of symptom onset, the side effects of treatments, and the long-term effects of the disease.
The Vasculitis Foundation offers various online support groups for patients and their families, hosted by a facilitator and foundation staff personnel.
There are also support groups for parents of children with vasculitis, teens affected by the disease, and people diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, the rarest type of AAV.
An online chat for the vasculitis community, and monthly and weekly support meetings complement the foundation’s support for patients, family, and loved ones.
Affiliate groups worldwide also receive support from the Vasculitis Foundation to meet, virtually or in person, in reunions moderated by volunteers.
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