Sarcoidosis initiative aims to raise awareness

By William K. Alcorn | July 21, 2017 at 12:06a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Chiropractor Dr. Jason C. Tripp of Hermitage, Pa., is guest speaker for the inaugural Sgt. Wilbur Lee Fish Jr. Sarcoidosis Initiative at 5 p.m. Thursday at McGuffey Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road.

Tripp Chiropractic & Nutrition, 155 N. Hermitage Road, is a local health and wellness clinic serving clients in the Hermitage, Pa., area.

The goal of the Sarcoidosis initiative is to provide critical information on the so-called “silent killer disease,” said Gwendolyn Fish, event coordinator, whose son, Sgt. Wilbur Lee Fish Jr. died from the inflammatory disease.

“My son had no warning signs. In April, 2013, he had his annual physical at Fort Detrick, Md., where he was employed as a biochemist. On May 11, 2013, he said good night to me, rolled out of bed and was dead at 47. He left a wife of 18 years and a 2-year-old son too soon,” his mother said.

Health professionals will be on hand at the Sarcoidosis initiative to provide information and assist and answer questions.

According to WebMD.com, sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands.

“As event coordinator and a sarcoidosis survivor/patient, I ask you to consider a donation/contribution to help defray the costs associated with advertisement, public awareness outreach, medical/natural alternatives expenses, and support groups regarding this disease,” Fish said. “To date, there is no cure for sarcoidosis, and we need to find one.”

This event will help to provide information on how to recognize signs of the disease, encourage doctors to be more alert in diagnosing the disease and patients how to live with the disease,” she said.

From 60 percent to 70 percent of newly diagnosed cases will go into remission with or without treatment.

Fish said people can make life-changing differences in the lives of people with sarcoidosis by tax-deductible contributions to the 501c3 tax-exempt organization Stones of Help. Checks should be made payable to Stones of Help Inc., 2253 Coronado Ave., Youngstown, OH 44504.

Prospective attendees are asked to RSVP. For information, call Fish at 330-506-7299.