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Mid- Summers Night Ball
Alpha-1 Fundraiser:
The Mid-Summer's Night Ball in the Spa Hotel Lucan on the 23rd of June 2012.
Competition for the best dressed lady.
Tickets €25, doors at 8.30 with dinner at 9.30.
Music provided by John Walsh Entertainment.
Contact the Alpha One Foundation on (01) 8093871 for more information.
 
The Alpha One Foundation

The Alpha One Foundation was founded in 2001

Aims:  

  • Increasing awareness of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) amongst the medical profession and the general public.
  • Diagnosis of Alpha-1.
  • Providing patient support.
  • Access to clinical trials for emerging therapies aimed at Alpha-1.

 

National Screening Programme:


In 2004 we began a national screening programme funded by the Department of Health and Children to reduce the under diagnosis and misdiagnosis of Alpha-1. This targeted detection programme is the only national screening programme for Alpha-1 in the world. We follow World Health Organisation (WHO), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines which recommend testing of:

• all chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients,
• poorly controlled non-responsive asthmatics
• cryptogenic liver disease patients
• As it is a hereditary disease all first degree family members of individuals with Alpha-1 should also be tested.


Location:

We are based in the RCSI Education & Research Centre at Beaumont Hospital. There is a dedicated clinic for Alpha-1 patients under the care of Professor N. G. McElvaney in Beaumont Hospital on Wednesday afternoons. There are currently three staff members of the Alpha One Foundation who utilise the latest diagnostic methods in our screening programme, perform research in the area of Alpha-1, coordinate clinical trials testing new therapies, and strive to increase awareness of the condition throughout Ireland. Staff members liaise with the Alpha-1 clinic team, patients, GPs, hospital laboratory staff and respiratory and liver consultants throughout Ireland.


Staff of the Alpha One Foundation:

Kitty O'Connor, CEO Alpha One Foundation

Dr. Tomás Carroll, Chief Scientist

Geraldine O'Brien, Research Associate



Please contact us with any queries on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 

What is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin?

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is an important protein produced by the liver, which is released into the bloodstream and travels to the lungs.  Once inside the lungs it provides protection from the destructive effects of infections and harmful irritants, particularly tobacco smoke.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition which, along with cystic fibrosis, is the commonest genetic lung disease in Ireland. It severely affects more than 2,000 people nationally, with another 10,000 individuals also at risk of lung and liver disease. It is the only proven genetic risk factor for COPD.