A Symposium Exploring Autoimmune Diseases
In one of the highlights of 2019, Race for RP and the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation in conjunction with the Northern Michigan University School of Nursing presented a remarkably successful and over-capacity attended Autoimmunity Symposium in Marquette, Michigan. We brought together leading experts in the field of Autoimmune Diseases including; Dr. Susan Manzi, MD, MPH, Chair of the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Medicine Institute and Chair of the Lupus Foundation of America’s National Board of Directors; Dr. Joseph Ahearn, MD, Chair of the AHN Autoimmunity Institute; and Dr. Emily Somers, PhD, ScM, an autoimmune disease specialist from The University of Michigan, who directs the Michigan Lupus Epidemiology & Surveillance (MILES) Program.
Kyle Marcelli Receives AARDA Champion Award
On May 11, race car driver Kyle Marcelli was honored for his advocacy work with the Champion Award from the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA). At the organization’s yearly spring benefit, hosted at the Detroit Athletic Club and aptly themed “Bound by a Common Thread,” attendees celebrated Marcelli’s success as an ambassador for autoimmune disease research and awareness, including his key contributions to the unprecedented collaboration of AARDA, the Allegheny Health Network Autoimmunity Institute, Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation (RPASF), and Race for Relapsing Polychondritis (RP).
New Resource Available to Better Understand Relapsing Polychondritis
A primary care physician sees a patient with unexplainable symptoms: a combination of general malaise, low grade fever, redness and pain on the eyes, inflammation and pain in the ear, shortness of breath, pain and redness on the nose, skin lesions, joint pain, rib pain, hearing loss, dry cough, and wheezing. However, inflammation tests read normal; there is no diagnosable disease in the lungs; and no discernible problems with the ears. Thanks to the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation, that doctor now has the easy-to-understand, peer-reviewed resources to know that her/his patient may have a rare autoimmune disease.
To download the poster, visit http://bit.ly/RP_Poster
Ed Jones to Carry Race for RP logo on the No. 63 Car in the Indy 500
The stage is set for this year’s “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500, with Ed Carpenter Racing having record-breaking starting positions on the grid. The Race for Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is excited and grateful that Ed Jones will drive the Ed Carpenter Racing Scuderia Corsa No. 63 Chevrolet, which is raising awareness about relapsing polychondritis and autoimmune diseases which affect over 50 million Americans.
Race for Relapsing Polychondritis at the 2019 Indianapolis 500
On May 26, 2019 relapsing polychondritis (RP) and autoimmune disease awareness rose to a new level during the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500. It was an honor to have the Race for Relapsing Polychondritis brand carried on the No. 63 Chevrolet during this single largest one-day sporting event in the world, with over 400,000 people in attendance and 5 million viewers around the world.
Rare Disease Day 2019 – (RP) Resilient with Purpose
Answering a global call to action for relapsing polychondritis (RP) patients to proudly participate in Rare Disease Day 2019 and #ShowYourRare, our growing community of patients, family members, friends and supporters have joined together to stand strong and show the world who they are. In this touching slide show of selfies and images we honor those patients suffering from RP and rare diseases around the world.
AHN Autoimmunity Institute at the Grand Prix
In March 2019 Race for RP, the Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) and race car driver and autoimmune disease awareness champion Kyle Marcelli teamed up to steer attention to the Allegheny Health Network Autoimmunity Institute in Pittsburgh, PA.
Joined by the AHN Autoimmunity Institute’s driving force and founders Dr. Susan Manzi and Dr. Joseph Ahearn, we sprinted to St. Petersburg, FL for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the start of the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series, and were honored to support our wonderfully-successful friends at Scuderia Corsa as they began their exciting full season entry in IndyCar with Ed Carpenter Racing.
Relapsing Polychondritis Researchers and Friends Reception
In October 2018 during the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Conference in Chicago, Race for RP and RPASF hosted a reception at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant to bring together members of the medical community and supporters to discuss relapsing polychondritis research and awareness.
Speakers at this reception included Dr. Peter Grayson, Associate Director at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases / National Institutes of Health (NIAMS/NIH); Dr. Marcela Ferrada, Clinical Fellow at NIAMS/NIH who had just received the 2018 ACR Distinguished Fellow Award; and Dr. Joseph Ahearn, Chair of the Allegheny Health Network Autoimmunity Institute.
The Drive to Eradicate Autoimmune Disease
A video featuring Race for RP brand ambassador and autoimmune disease awareness champion, Kyle Marcelli. The 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Champion racing season has been Kyle’s best season on record with numerous wins and podium finishes.
Kyle’s impact on autoimmune disease awareness is unprecedented, with an estimated reach of over 2 Million viewers including the well established Marcelli Motorsports social media footprint, the Race for RP’s growing social media following as well as the nationally televised live broadcasts (and replays) on the Fox Networks, FS1 and FS2, IMSA.com and IMSA.tv.
Racing for Relapsing Polychondritis
Race for RP Animation
Ferrari Challenge Watkins Glen July 2018. Fast Lap and Airborne!
Here is the much anticipated fast lap from Watkins Glen July 2018. During the Ferrari Challenge driving with Scuderia Corsa in the No. 153 Race for RP Ferrari 488, Neilio takes a fast corner and briefly goes airborne.
Ferrari Challenge Montreal June 2018. Neilio pushing the Ferrari 488.
This is an exciting view of the No. 153 during the Ferrari Challenge with Scuderia Corsa at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Stay tuned through 1:32 as you’ll see Neilio holding on in the straightaway for a heart pounding and impressive top speed.
Race for RP Trackside at Laguna Seca during the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Neilio’s Fast Lap at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) During the Ferrari Challenge
Neilio’s Fastest Lap During the Ferrari Challenge at Laguna Seca
This is a great look at what it’s like behind the wheel. For one lap we get to experience the intensity and really feel the speed, as Neilio clocks in his fastest lap during the Ferrari Challenge with Scuderia Corsa at Laguna Seca Raceway.
The Pass – The No. 153 Neilio in the Ferrari Challenge Laguna Seca 2018
Neilio making a move in the No. 153 Race for RP Ferrari 488, during the Ferrari Challenge at Laguna Seca. Driving with Scuderia Corsa in the Coppa Shell, hold on tight through the quick clip here, if you look away you might not see the pass.
An Incredible Hot Lap Experience. Can You Count the Thumbs Ups?
In this Hot Lap experience, Mike from Race for RP rides along for a super fast lap at Laguna Seca. We know he was enjoying the whole ride. Watch and see how many thumbs ups we get to by the end.