The 15thannual scientific meeting of theChildhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance(CARRA) opens today in Louisville, Kentucky.
Over the next few days, this event will draw about 500 physicians, nurses, patients, parents and representatives from health advocacy organizations — to develop, design and operationalize specific research projects that answer important questions about pediatric rheumatic diseases. The Arthritis Foundation, AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech and Novartis are key financial supporters of this meeting.
CARRA’s annual meeting offers attendees the opportunity to work together to discuss specific diseases and prioritize research agendas. We collaborate scientifically and clinically to plan research aimed at improving outcomes in pediatric rheumatic diseases. Attendees divide into workgroups that delve into pressing scientific questions and apply their skills and expertise to finding answers at basic, translational and clinical research levels. We’re working together to transform patient care and outcomes.
“The issues that face the juvenile arthritis community are complex,” says Guy Eakin, PhD, Arthritis Foundation senior vice president of scientific strategy. “The partnership between CARRA and the Arthritis Foundation has helped focus our attention on understanding the community’s needs and developing research programs with patients that directly address the issues they face.”
The Arthritis Foundation has committed $24 million to a five-year partnership with CARRA that supports the CARRA Registry, a robust database of children with pediatric rheumatic diseases, as well as other research projects to improve outcomes in children with these diseases.
CARRA is an organization that includes 95% of all pediatric rheumatologists/sites in North America. Founded in 2002, CARRA has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to align scientific agendas and expand research in the fight against juvenile arthritis and other pediatric rheumatic diseases.
Related Resources:
- Groups Collaborate to Improve Future for Children Living with Arthritis
- Pediatric Rheumatologists, Researchers and Patients Unite in Toronto to Change the Future of Living With Childhood Arthritis
- Improving Mental Health for Kids With Juvenile Arthritis