American Behcet's Disease Association (ABDA)

ABDA members help raise awareness. Members assist the ABDA by distributing information to medical offices, dental offices, hospitals, and the community. The organization distributes literature by mail and in person. May is Behcet's Awareness month and May 20th is International Behcet's Awareness Day. Many activities are planned during the month of May to increase awareness of Behcet's Disease. The ABDA participates in events during Rare Disease Day on February 28 of every year. We attend Congressional visits, In-District Lobby Days, and conferences at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The organization exhibits at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and at the American Association of Dental Research (AADR). The ABDA collaborates with other rare disease coalitions, interacts with medical offices, schools, educational and social events at health fairs, walk/runs, dinners, and patient events. We work closely with AARDA on the "Let My Doctor Decide" initiative.

When Members of Congress meet advocates and real patients doing real things, the impact on policies and laws can be profound, particularly to those affected by a rare disease such as Behcet's Disease. The ABDA advocates for better access to care, better diagnostic tests, more research and for better treatment and development of orphan drugs for rare diseases, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory diseases which include Behcet's Disease.

The American Behcet's Disease Association promotes research and works closely with various institutions to help advance clinical trials in order to find effective treatment of the disease.