Therakos introduces Lighting Up Lives campaign for patients with immune diseases

Therakos, Inc., a pioneer in the development of an innovative immune modulation therapy called extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), today launched Lighting Up Lives, a 25-year anniversary campaign and year-long global initiative that honours the lives of patients with serious immune diseases impacted by ECP, as well as the healthcare professionals, caregivers and treatment centres that support them every step of the way. For a quarter century, ECP has been a valuable option for patients suffering from immune diseases, including graft-versus-host (GvHD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and solid organ transplant (SOT) rejection, that are unresponsive to other therapies. Therakos is urging everyone to join the celebration by recognising the lives transformed, and the support teams dedicated to bringing light into the lives of so many.    

The campaign debuted at the 38^th Annual Meeting of European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) in Geneva, Switzerland, taking place from 1-4 April, 2012. To join the celebration, visit www.lightinguplives.com in order to share your experience with ECP or send a celebration eCard in recognition of those working to make a difference.

"As one of the first physicians to use ECP therapy, I have seen the sustainable impact this innovative and life-changing therapy has had on patients dealing with debilitating T-cell mediated diseases," said Robert M. Knobler, MD, BA, BS, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna. "I am pleased that Therakos is recognizing ECP providers and patients, and how this therapy has contributed to the well-being of patients over the past 25 years. I believe it will be a valued option for many years to come."

First introduced in 1987, ECP has been an important therapeutic solution for patients affected by immune-modulated diseases. These diseases attack the immune system and can cause patients to experience side effects and symptoms that can lead to additional health risks and significantly affect quality of life. For these patients, ECP is an alternative to pills or topical treatments, and is effective in helping to restore the body's natural ability to maintain a balanced immune system by controlling the activity of overactive immune cells.

Therakos was the first company to make ECP available to patients through its THERAKOS^® Photopheresis integrated systems. Since introducing this innovative technology 25 years ago, Therakos has made it possible for more than 700,000¹ ECP treatments to have been administered worldwide using its integrated systems.

"This 25^th anniversary allows us to look back over the years and realize just how many lives have been touched by ECP therapy. From caregivers to doctors, nurses, advocates and technicians, each person plays a specific and much-needed role in Lighting up Lives of patients suffering from debilitating immune-modulated diseases" said David Sholehvar, general manager, Therakos, Inc. "This anniversary celebration represents a monumental milestone in improving the lives of patients, and recognises all the people helping to make a difference, and we're proud to reaffirm our commitment in this space."

Lighting Up Lives at the 2012 EBMT Annual Meeting

During the congress, attendees are encouraged to learn more about how to participate in the Lighting Up Lives initiative at the Therakos booth (#111). Attendees will have the opportunity to share a short story explaining how ECP has had an impact on their practice, in addition to receiving campaign materials to use within their practices.    

Source: Therakos, Inc.