Stevens Johnson Syndrome Awareness Month -- August 2003:

Denver, COLO. --- July 7, 2003 --- The Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Foundation today announced that August 2003 has been designated SJS Awareness month. The purpose of SJS Awareness Month is increase knowledge with the public and medical community about SJS, an under-recognized and under-reported severe adverse reaction to common drugs, including anti-biotics, anti-convulsants and pain killers.

SJS is a deadly reaction affecting the skin and mucous membranes, causing severe burning, blistering and sloughing of skin and involved tissue.  SJS commonly causes blindness and results in death in 10 to 30 percent of the cases.  Because many physicians and emergency facilities are not familiar with the symptoms, treatment is frequently delayed, further exacerbating the condition.

“It is especially important that physicians recognize SJS early to protect patients against permanent damage or death,” said Jean McCawley, director of the SJS Foundation.  “Most SJS patients should be treated like burn victims due to the similarity to other types of burns and the high risk of infection. Hospitalization in a critical care unit or burn unit is essential, and an infectious disease specialist, an ophthalmologist and a dermatologist are needed.”

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 increase awareness and raise funds, the SJS Foundation will be selling SJS Awareness Lapel Pins for $6.00, each including shipping. The Foundation will also be an exhibitor at the Westminster Fair in Westminster, Colo., on August 2 to promote awareness. To learn more, contact the Stevens-Johnson Foundation at www.sjsupport.org or 303-635- 1241.

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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
sjsupport@sjsupport.org

Valerie Chereskin
Chereskin Communications
760-942-3116
valerie@chereskincomm.com