Advancing Research & Care
The New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center Promotes Rare Disease Awareness with Guest Speaker Rick Guidotti, Founder and Executive Director, POSITIVE EXPOSURE
On February 7, 2011, the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center joined with the rare disease patient advocate community, researchers, health care providers, those living with rare diseases and their families from across New York and the nation to recognize Rare Disease Awareness Day. This event promoted awareness about rare genetic disease to help to educate the public about the unique challenges facing those, especially children living with rare genetic disorders.
The event at the New York State Museum's Huxley Theater, was attended by Stephen C. Groft, Pharm.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health's Office of Rare Disease Research; Sharon F. Terry, M.A., President and CEO, Genetic Alliance; and Lawrence S. Sturman, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Wadsworth Center Laboratories.
At 3 p.m., Rick Guidotti, Founder and Director of the non-profit organization POSITIVE EXPOSURE will present a lecture titled "The Spirit of Difference". The event is open to the public, but seating is limited, and individuals interested in attending must register in advance by submitting the below form or sending an email to rare-disease-awareness@wadsworth.org.
About POSITIVE EXPOSURE:
POSITIVE EXPOSURE has developed exhibitions and lecture programs to provide new opportunities for diverse audiences to see individuals living with a genetic difference first and foremost as human beings with challenges rather than as a specific diagnosis/disease entity. The photographic and video presentations explore the social and psychological experiences of people living with genetic, physical and behavioral conditions of all ages and ethno-cultural heritages