City of Goose Creek

April is “Sarcoidosis Awareness Month” in Goose Creek.

Mayor Michael Heitzler signed a proclamation on Tuesday at City Hall. He was joined by Lowcountry Sarcoidosis Support Group Chairperson Robin Thomas, who is also an ambassador for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research.

Sarcoidosis is a potentially debilitating and deadly disease that affects an estimated 200,000 Americans. It is an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of inflammatory cells in one or more organs of the body. When the immune system goes into overdrive and too many of these clumps form, they can interfere with an organ’s structure and function. When left unchecked, chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosis, which is permanent thickening or scarring of organ tissue.

Ninety percent or more of people diagnosed with the disease have lung involvement. The disease can affect people of any age, race or gender, but is especially prevalent among adults between the ages of 20 and 40, and also affects African-Americans at a high rate. More research is needed to combat the disease.

Visit www.StopSarcoidosis.org for more information.

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