ITP National Patient Conference to be Held in Chicago
The Platelet Disorder Support Association is pleased to announce that the ITP Conference 2008 will be held June 20-22 in Lombard, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.


/Maryland News Articles/ - ROCKVILLE, MD, April 18, 2008 - This year's conference theme, "Lighting the Way: Celebrating a Decade of Caring, Sharing & Hope", commemorates the nonprofit organization's 10th anniversary. PDSA is committed to helping those with ITP and other platelet disorders learn about the most up-to-date information on ITP, talk face-to-face with the world's top hematologists, find out how to cope with fatigue and other lifestyle issues, and meet others dealing with these same concerns.

If you haven't attended an ITP Conference before, this is the year to come. The Platelet Disorder Support Association will honor Founder, Joan Young, upon her retirement as president. To celebrate the PDSA's 10th anniversary, a whole host of special activities is planned, including a 10th anniversary party featuring Comedian Rocky LaPorte. The beautiful and brand new Westin Lombard Yorktown Center will serve as the host hotel.

Session highlights:
Important Tips for Managing ITP: What Every Patient Needs to Know
New Treatments for ITP
Ask the Experts
Tired of Being Tired? Tips for Fighting Fatigue
Why Good Things Happen to Good People: Even When We Fall Ill
Secrets of Our Success: Patients Share Their Stories
Inhabiting the Present Moment: An Introduction Into Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

For more information or to register for the ITP Conference 2008, visit our Web site at www.pdsa.org or call toll free 1-87-PLATELET (1-877-528-3538)


About ITP
ITP, immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura, is an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the body mounts an immune attack toward one or more seemingly normal organ systems. In ITP, platelets are the target. They are marked as foreign by the immune system and eliminated in the spleen and sometimes, the liver. In addition to increased platelet destruction, some people with ITP also have impaired platelet production. Without a sufficient number of platelets, a person with ITP is subject to spontaneous bleeding or bruising.

About PDSA
The Platelet Disorder Support Association is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other platelet disorders through education, advocacy and research. For more information, please contact us at 1-87-PLATELET or visit our Web site at www.pdsa.org.

Contact: Caroline Kruse
(877) 528-3538
ckruse@pdsa.org

Further Related Resources:


Press Release Contact Information:

Caroline Kruse
Platelet Disorder Support Associ
Public Relations Director
133 Rollins, Suite 5
Rockville, MD
USA 20852
Voice: 877-528-3538
Fax: 301-770-6638
Website: Visit Our Website