[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL'S FIGHT AGAINST SARCOIDOSIS

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 1995
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the important work that is taking place at the 
Sarcoidosis Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
  Sarcoidosis is a very common disease of unknown cause. Though the 
disease can involve every part of the body, most patients with 
sarcoidosis have no complaints, or only minor ones. Symptoms include 
shortness of breath, pain in the joints, swollen lymph nodes, skin 
rash, fatigue, or fever. And while many patients require no treatment 
and the disease goes away after 6 months to 2 years, about 20 percent 
of those with the disease require substantial treatment.
  Approximately 10,000 patients with sarcoidosis have been treated at 
Mount Sinai Hospital Sarcoidosis Clinic since its founding in 1948. Dr. 
Louis E. Siltzbach, one of the world's most renowned experts on 
sarcoidosis, originally founded the Mount Sinai Sarcoidosis Clinc, and 
in the 48 years since its inception, the clinic has made tremendous 
advancements in the battle against this perplexing disease.
  Recently, Mount Sinai has gone beyond treatment with the formation of 
the Sarcoidosis Support Group. This patient-run group helps remove the 
mystery of the disease, provides general information, and hopes to 
generate enough interest to spurn research that will lead to more 
effective treatment and, ultimately, a cure. As part of this effort, 
the Sarcoidosis Support Group will be celebrating Sarcoidosis Awareness 
Month on August 11.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to honor the 
excellent work being done at Mount Sinai to provide treatment for 
support for those living with sarcoidosis. I would also ask my 
colleagues to join me in helping to make all of our constituents aware 
of this mysterious disease in the hopes that some day we might find a 
cure.


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