Stevens Johnson Syndrome Awareness Month
-- August 2004
- Foundation Receives Honorary Proclamation from Colorado
Governor -
Denver,
COLO. --- July 25, 2004 --- The Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Foundation today
announced that August 2004 has been designated SJS Awareness month. In a
proclamation from Governor Owens of Colorado, SJS is recognized as a severe
adverse reaction to common drugs affecting more than two million Americans each
year, and resulting in more than 140,000 deaths.
SJS is caused by almost any medication, including anti-biotics, anti-convulsants and pain killers. It is a deadly reaction causing severe burning, blistering and sloughing of skin and involved tissue. SJS frequently causes blindness and results in death in up to 30 percent of the cases. Recognizing early symptoms of SJS and providing prompt medical attention are the most valuable tools to minimizing long-term damage.
Jean McCawley of Westminster,
Colo., started the SJS Foundation after her daughter Julie contracted SJS from
an anti-convulsant mediation when she was only 11 months old. Julie still suffers the after-effects,
including blindness in one eye and little vision in the other.
To
recognize SJS in its earliest stage, the SJS foundation urges patients and
physicians to watch for the following symptoms when taking medications,
especially sulfa-based antibiotics or anti-convulsants:
To learn more, contact the Stevens-Johnson Foundation at www.sjsupport.org or 303-635- 1241.
.
About SJS Foundation
Founded in 1995, the Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Foundation (Julie Foundation for allergic drug reactions) is a non-profit
organization that provides information and support for victims, educates the
medical community and encourages research in preventing adverse drug
reactions. More information is
available at www.sjsupport.org.
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Note to
Media: Personal stories, photos and
videotape are available upon request.
Media
Contacts:
Jean McCawley
SJS
Foundation
303-635-1241
Valerie
Chereskin
Chereskin
Communications
760-942-3116