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MPD RESEARCH CENTER

Harriet S. Gilbert., MD
President and Director
115 E. 72nd Street
New York, NY 10021
MPD Research Center Hot Line
1-800 HELP-MPD (435-7673)

Dear Patient,

This letter is to introduce you to the Myeloproliferative Disease Research Center, a nonprofit foundation with a family of information, discussion and support resources which form part of our Myeloproliferative Disease Patient Network and Support Group services. As a patient, relative, or friend of someone who has been diagnosed with MPD you may have felt alone in your concerns about the impact of the disease on lifestyle, longevity, work, travel, costs of medical care, insurability and a myriad of other important issues.

The concept of the MPD Patient Network and Support Group was born out of my personal experience with MPD in the 36+ years of my professional life devoted to research and medical care of patients with these "orphan" diseases. I came to realize the value of the extra support afforded by sharing experiences with others confronted with similar problems and difficulties. My waiting room became a forum for such interactions and I was able to observe their benefits first hand. I am sure that you who have had to cope with any form of MPD, such as polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, myeloid metaplasia, myelofibrosis, myelodysplastic syndrome, or chronic myelocytic leukemia, will be happy to know that you now have access to a forum for sharing through the MPD Research Center.

Our major goals are:

To support research that promotes the understanding of the disease and improves patient care.
To provide access to diagnostic and therapeutic services of an advanced and innovative type.
To establish training programs for health professionals to ensure availability of qualified medical personnel to provide quality care.
To establish a patient support network so that patients can share with each other their experiences and problems unique to Myeloproliferative Disease.
To publish and disseminate information pertaining to MPD in layman's language and to sponsor educational activities for laymen.
To establish an MPD Physician's Network, increase the medical community's level of awareness about MPD, and maintain a data base to provide patients with nationwide access to physicians who are interested in MPD.

If you are interested in joining the MPD Patient Network and Support Group, please sign on to MPDNET and sign up for MPD VOICE newsletter as a start. My volunteer patient assistant, Joyce Niblack will be happy to answer your questions and assist you in coming on line with us and obtaining our newsletter.

Sincerely Yours,

Harriet S. Gilbert, MD
President and Director

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