Latest Stories – Virginia Mason Foundation

Good nutrition for overall better health

posted December 4, 2013

Dear UBS,

Robbi comes in daily to Bailey-Boushay House for breakfast and often will stay for lunch as well. The nutritious meals provided by Bailey-Boushay House have helped Robbi to regain the nearly 30 pounds lost when he was ill.

Thank you, Friedman Group at UBS, for supporting Bailey-Boushay House!

Your contribution goes directly towards providing meals and fresh fruits and vegetables to Bailey-Boushay House clients.

Nutrition is a critical component of health and well-being of Bailey-Boushay House clients. For many of the 250+ clients, BBH provides their only meal that day. It is often their only chance to have fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain food with real nutritional value. Science has long proven that a diet rich in vegetables and fruit can help the body boost immune response and heal from disease. While many of the clients at BBH are living with HIV/AIDS, they also deal with mental illness, addiction and/or homelessness. Not only does BBH provide a hot meal, it provides a meal with real nutritional value.

In addition to wholesome meals, BBH recognizes the emotional role food plays. That is why BBH has created a place for clients receive good nutrition but also feelings of security, comfort, belonging and a connection with the community.

Thank you again for your contribution and for making an impact in the lives of clients at Bailey-Boushay House!

Young Arthritis Patient’s Life is Back in Motion

posted October 14, 2013

BRI - Illuminations Luncheon - Virginia Mason

For nearly five years, Elizabeth Moseley suffered silently. Soreness in her back at age 19 grew to an excruciating pain throughout her entire body. Both Elizabeth’s maternal grandmother and great-grandmother were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes painful swelling of the joints and surrounding tissues, as very young women. Scared of the possible diagnosis, Elizabeth kept her agony silent until the pain grew to be unbearable.

On Nov. 14, 2010 Jeffrey Carlin, MD, head of rheumatology at Virginia Mason Medical Center, officially confirmed her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. After months of standard treatments, Elizabeth’s pain had lessened but her joints remained swollen and tender. Dr. Carlin suggested that she consider joining a clinical trial being conducted by Stanford Peng, MD, PhD, Clinician Researcher at Benaroya Research Institute (BRI). The study involves a musculoskeletal ultrasound, a way to assess arthritis which may be more objective than physical examination, and a mixture of medications to lower disease activity or send it into remission. Elizabeth is participating in a six-month trial and her symptoms are going into remission. Her life is literally back in motion. You might catch her commuting daily by bike from Magnolia to Eastlake to her new baking job – if you can keep up.

On behalf of Elizabeth and all the other individuals suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, thank you for donating to Benaroya Research Institute. With clinical trials and research, BRI is identifying better therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases and helping patients get their lives back.

Good Nutrition & Medication Management

posted October 9, 2013

Jacob comes to Bailey-Boushay House about six times a week for breakfast and lunch. For Jacob, the meals are necessary for helping him to stay on top of his medication as it often upsets his stomach. Regular meals have also helped Jacob gain weight and overall better health.

Thank you for supporting the Give for Good Nutrition campaign at Bailey-Boushay House!

Your contribution goes directly towards providing meals and fresh fruits and vegetables to Bailey-Boushay House clients.

Nutrition is a critical component of health and well-being of Bailey-Boushay House (BBH) clients. For many of the 250+ clients, BBH provides their only meal. Often it is their only chance to have fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains food with real nutritional value. Science has long proven that a diet rich in vegetables and fruit can help the body boost immune response and heal from disease. As many of the clients at BBH are living with HIV/AIDS, they also deal with mental illness, addiction and/or homelessness. Not only does BBH provide a hot meal, it provides a meal with real nutritional value.

In addition to wholesome meals, BBH recognizes the emotional role food plays. That is why BBH has created a place for clients to receive good nutrition as well as feelings of security, comfort, belonging and a connection with the community.

Thank you again for your contribution and for making an impact in the lives of clients at Bailey-Boushay House!

New Treatment Gets Lupus Patient Back in the Saddle

posted October 3, 2013

Within two weeks, Kammi Short gained 35 pounds, her body was swollen, a rash appeared on her face and she couldn’t find out what was wrong. After three days of testing, on her 24th birthday, it was discovered she had lupus. Upon diagnosis, doctors at Virginia Mason reported that she was a day away from kidney failure and a lifetime of dialysis. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body — skin, joints and organs. Kammi’s lupus is characterized by inflammation of the joints, swelling and fatigue. “The worst part is not knowing one day to the next how I’ll feel,” she says. “I’ll be 100 percent going to bed and in the morning, I won’t be able to get up; my joints are so sore.”

Kammi is now participating in a Benaroya Research Institute clinical trial of a drug that may reduce the symptoms of inflammation in lupus with fewer side effects that other treatements. She is responding well to the treatment. Kammi works at a child care center and loves working with horses, taking part in barrel races and other events. “What I do requires a lot of energy and right now I’m feeling great. I hope this trial can be part of the solution for lupus.”

On behalf of Kammi and all the other individuals suffering with lupus, thank you for donating to Benaroya Research Institute. Lupus is a complex disease, but our scientists are working hard to find new treatments and therapies for lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

Relapsing Polychondritis Clinical Trial Participant Reclaims Her Active Life

posted August 16, 2013

For Michelle Munro, Dec. 9, 2001, was a normal day of playing basketball and Christmas shopping with friends until she noticed that her nose had become quite inflamed. She endured a few seasonal “Rudolph” jokes but didn’t give it much more thought. The next morning when Michelle awoke she was almost unable to move. That afternoon, Michelle was diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis (RP) an uncommon autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks cartilage throughout the body. It most often affects the ears, nose, joints, spine and trachea, though many other body parts can be affected. The bouts of inflammation are not constant, but episodic and unpredictable.

In 2003, suffering from constant pain and worsening symptoms, Michelle had to leave her much-loved job with AIDS Housing of Washington. She could no longer drive and she was unable to keep up with the activities of her friends and family. When immunotherapy was no longer effective or safe for Michelle, Jane Buckner, MD, Virginia Mason rheumatologist, associate director of Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) and an expert in RP, suggested she enroll in a new clinical trial. This trial tests Abatacept, a drug approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, in patients with RP.

After six months of study treatments, Michelle is reclaiming her life. She can drive again and is thrilled to be actively volunteering in her community. With the help of her service dog, Hayden, Michelle is once again the “fun aunt” for her family.

On behalf of Michelle and all the other individuals suffering with RP and other autoimmune diseases, thank you for donating to Benaroya Research Institute. With clinical trials and research, BRI is identifying better therapies for RP and helping patients reclaim their active lives.

Teen’s Participation in Diabetes Study Will Help Others, Including His Little Sister

posted July 10, 2013

A month after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Adam’s parents asked him if he wanted to be a part of a clinical trial. The decision was easy for the 10-year-old. If his participation could help improve the lives of other people with diabetes, he was excited to join. His parents have found the experience inspiring. “We love coming to Seattle, seeing the staff of the research institute and being a part of cutting-edge research” says Jodi, Adam’s mother.

Olivia, Adam’s younger sister, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was three years old. Adam has become her role model because of his management of his diabetes, participation in the trial and his positive attitude. Adam’s participation in the trial will not only help other Type 1 diabetes patients, the results of the study could also help his little sister.

Adam is participating in a Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) trial aimed at halting progression of newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes. The Boy Scouts of Oregon honored Adam with a badge of bravery for his contribution to science and taking part in the trial. He also learned to take his own blood pressure which helped him earn his Boy Scout medical merit badge.

On behalf of Adam, Olivia and all the other individuals waiting for a cure for Type 1 diabetes, thank you for donating to Benaroya Research Institute. With clinical trials and research, BRI scientists are working to identify new therapies to prevent, treat and halt the progression of Type 1 diabetes.