ARDS Foundation www.ardsusa.org March for Miracles"

The ARDS Foundation is a national, not for profit organization composed of a group of individuals who have been personally affected by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). We are dedicated to increasing public awareness, education, and financial assistance to those engaged in medical research. We are hosting a benefit to raise funds for both research and support at the Chicago Botanic Gardens on August 14, 2004, from 7:30 Am-12:00 Noon.

NORTHBROOK, IL (PRWEB) July 30, 2004 -- On Saturday, August 14, 2004, the ARDS Foundation will host its 3rd annual March for Miracles" benefit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL. Events will include a walk/run, along with entertainment and food in the gardens picnic area. Proceeds from the event will be used to promote public awareness and raise funds for medical research for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Over the past three years, this event has raised 30,000. Registration for this years march will begin at 7:30 a.m.

Cost for the event is $15.00 for an individual and $30.00 for a family.

ARDS is a life threatening condition that leads to a dangerous loss in the functioning of the lungs. Although there are over 60 distressed conditions that can bring on ARDS, the most common are pneumonia, sepsis (an overwhelming infection in the body), aspiration of fumes, food or stomach contents into the lung, and trauma. These conditions cause the body to manufacture substances that may cause inflammation in the lungs. Once inflamed, the alveoli (air sacs) are then unable to perform the normal oxygenation of the blood. There are approximately 150,000 reported cases of ARDS per year. Yet because ARDS is often linked with other distressed conditions, it is believed that the actual number of cases per year is significantly higher.

ARDS is particularly complicated because no patient enters the hospital with ARDS as their admitting diagnosis. However, almost anyone who is admitted to a hospital is at risk to develop ARDS.

Over 75,000 Americans will die this year from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Over nine years ago, ARDS suddenly changed the life of 33-year old attorney, Eileen Rubin Zacharias. After I spent four weeks in a coma and eight weeks on a ventilator, I committed myself to increasing awareness about this devastating syndrome," said Eileen Zacharias, ARDS Foundation President. Over the past five years, we have been working passionately to find ways to raise money that will lead to increased medical knowledge that can be used to fight ARDS."

Paula Blonski, who lost her sister, Marybeth, a nurse, at the age of thirty-six, said, ARDS seriously lacks public awareness, and as a result, ARDS research is severely underfunded," said Blonski, Vice President of the ARDS Foundation. We can only begin to make a difference by expanding education, awareness and governance initiatives that will empower individuals to promote early diagnoses and successful treatment of ARDS."

To learn more about ARDS and the ARDS Foundation, please visit www.ardsusa.org or call 1.312.749.7047.

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