Minneapolis Conference Scores a Win!

Victorious, describes the Second International Patient Conference on Cicatricial Alopecia, held Memorial Day weekend in Minneapolis, co-sponsored by CARF and the Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota. “It had a life-changing effect on those who attended. There was much bonding amongst the patients, and between the patients and doctors. Everyone left in a better place, and with greater understanding than when they arrived because they now have up to date medical information, and most of all, they have contacts and will no longer feel isolated,” said Vera H. Price MD speaker and co- founder of CARF.

The highlight of the event was a silent auction with a beautiful display of fabulous items, skillfully and humorously directed by auctioneer and Emcee Richard Dunsay. Proceeds will go to fund research and to patient outreach.

We are deeply grateful to the continued support of Bosley and Hill Dermaceuticals, Inc. for sponsoring the Conference, and to the support received from the Cicatricial Alopecia Colloquium. The Minneapolis Steering Committee did an outstanding job in navigating this success.

Stay tuned and save the date for the next CARF extravaganza in Los Angeles, July 21, 2007.

Speakers and panelists at CARF's Second International Cicatricial Alopecia Patient Conference.
Front Row: Dr. Jerry Shapiro, University of British Columbia, Canada; Sheila Belkin, CARF CEO; and Dr. Andrea Willey, University of Minnesota. Back Row: Drs. Gabriel Sciallis, Mayo Clinic; Vera Price, University of California, San Francisco; Rochelle Torgerson, Mayo Clinic; and Maria Hordinsky, University of Minnesota.

Members of CARF's Minneapolis Steering Committee.

California Steering Committee members at the Minneapolis conference.

Board member, auctioneer and Emcee Richard Dunsay and Anita Dunsay PsyD. who led breakout groups on the emotional aspects of cicatricial alopecia.

Reviews

Below are typical responses from the attendees at the Minneapolis conference.

My husband and I spent a very productive weekend in Minn. at the CARF conference on May 26-28. This conference was so well organized and informative. The people were friendly and willing to share their ups and downs. The physicians were very down to earth and sympathetic to our plight.

Sheila Belkin and her many helpers should be congratulated on a job extremely well done. I look forward to seeing them all again.

The Kritemans, Middleton, MA

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We both thoroughly enjoyed the weekend; the doctor's morning was very
enlightening, the small groups added the bit of personal touch we all need,
but meeting others who are experiencing the same hair and scalp problems and learning their ways of dealing was the best. We met so many wonderful
people. The obvious caring and concern of the doctors, and the openness of
those experiencing cicatricial alopecia we found to be both surprising and
refreshing.

When we returned our family and friends said, "Did you learn a lot?"
Well, we don't actually know more, academically, about cicatricial alopecia, but, yes, we learned a lot. This was definitely one of those times you can't really understand unless you have been there.

The Housers, Modesto, CA

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Thanks for hosting that incredible conference.

Laurence, Philadelphia, PA

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A response from Scientific Advisor and speaker Dr. Jerry Shapiro:

Congratulations to all for organizing such a great event for patients.
Thank you for inviting me. I had such a great time.
I enjoyed listening as well as giving the talks.
I also enjoyed meeting the patients, the silent auction, the dinners.....
It was very memorable.

Jerry

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And from Dr. Maria Hordinsky of University of MN, co-host and speaker at the Conference:

In clinic now we are seeing many of the patients that participated in the CARF conference. Patients have more questions and are seeing the cicatricial alopecias through a different set of eyes. The experience was good for all - patients, physicians, students.

Regards,
Maria