TTP Symposium in Winnipeg

Registration

On Sunday April 14, 2013 Answering TTP Foundation hosted its first TTP symposium. The event was held as part of the Canadian Apheresis Group's Annual Meeting, with the goal of sharing TTP research developments and fostering TTP research opportunities. 

The audience included close to 50 doctors and nurses from across Canada who treat TTP. Delegates from the Foundation included: Sherri Sullivan (Vice Chair Advocacy), Gergana Sandeva (Patient Advisory Board, Ontario), Mina Rajan (Patient Advisory Board, Alberta) and myself.

We were excited to have two internationally recognized doctors provide an overview of recent developments in TTP and engage the audience in a collaborative discussion.

Dr. Spero Cataland

Dr. Spero Cataland presented Long-term Patient Outcomes in TTP. He discussed the patterns being recognized by TTP specialists in patients since diagnosis, and some analysis that has been performed on these patterns to date. Included were the results from a study investigating memory deficiencies in patients - a topic that comes up at every support group!

Dr. Cataland is from Ohio, United States, where he is Clinical Associate Professor of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health.   Dr. Cataland's research interests include Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) and atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, with an emphasis on novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of both disorders and long-term complications of both disorders. He has authored over 40 publications throughout his career and has served as a reviewer for the journals Blood, American Journal of Hematology, Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular, and Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis. Dr. Cataland is also involved in the TTP Support Group, which aims to provide a forum for patients and their family and friends to openly discuss issues related to their previous diagnosis and treatment for TTP.

Dr. Han-Mou Tsai

Dr. Han-Mou Tsai presented ADAMTS13: How it impacts on the diagnosis and management of microangiopathic disorders. His presentation spurred much important discussion amongst the audience.

Dr. Tsai will be a distinguished Professor of Medicine and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at  I-Shou University College of Medicine and Medical Center, Taiwan, beginning May 2013.  He has been the Professor of Medicine and Pathology and M. Elaine Eyster Professor of Hematology at Penn State-Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2012.  Dr. Tsai's research interests include Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). His accomplishments include the discovery and cloning of ADAMTS13 and its role in the pathogenesis of TTP. His current work includes VWF homeostasis and pathogenesis of microangiopathic hemolysis. 

Foundation Information Table

Breakfast was hosted by the Foundation

Preparing for the Symposium

Written by Sydney Kodatsky.