The North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group met on December 6, 2008 at Duke University’s John Hope Franklin Center in Durham. There were 38 attending, including 21 vasculitis patients. We welcomed 10 patients, family members and friends attending for the first time.
Clinical Dietician Aimee Shea from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center gave an outstanding presentation on nutrition and vasculitis for us. She talked about the complicated picture of nutrition and vasculitis, including how symptoms and treatment may impact nutritional status as well as how nutritional status may impact vasculitis. The slides from Aimee’s presentation are available at our group’s new website at http://ncvasculitissupportgroup.memberlodge.org/. We came away feeling renewed energy to take care of ourselves and eat well.
UNC Kidney Center representative Kristen Hendrickson brainstormed with us about information needs of vasculitis patients and caregivers for the Kidney Center’s use in planning future communications. Delesha Carpenter gave us an update on the early outcomes of The ASSIST study.
We enjoyed visiting with each other, talking with old friends and meeting new ones, including hearing the stories of those attending for the first time.
Our next meeting will be in the spring. If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please feel free to contact me.
Elaine Holmes
eholmes18@nc.rr.com