Having a rare disease can be confusing and isolating, especially one like Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis (iSGS) where so little is known and understood. We recognize how painful it is to lose people in our community to this disease, and how difficult it can be to live with it ourselves. 

Dr. Ramon Franco at Mass Eye and Ear is launching a research study to investigate the role of mucin in our disease – information that can have huge implications for the future understanding and treatment of iSGS. Dr. Franco believes the mucus we deal with is not just a symptom of iSGS, but rather an important part of the disease process.

In addition to being the creator of the awake in-office steroid injection treatment, Dr. Franco has devoted his career to studying iSGS and finding better ways to care for patients like us. In collaboration with the Ribbeck Biogels Lab, some of the top minds at Harvard and MIT will research the role of mucus in iSGS patients.

Dr. Franco is the only physician we know of who is pursuing this line of research, and he needs our help. We hope to raise at least $50,000 to support this project, which will be doubled by an anonymous donor when we reach our goal. This could change our lives – please consider giving today.

I know that as a community, we would do anything we could to advance the understanding of our disease. And right now, we can do that by supporting this new research. This is our chance to accelerate research that has the possibility to change our fundamental understanding of iSGS and hopefully lead to better and more effective treatments.

Please share this page widely and give as generously as you can. We are an amazing community and together, we will make a huge impact.

Thank you for your support!

ABOUT MASS EYE AND EAR

Massachusetts Eye and Ear is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hospital. Our EIN is 04-2785453.  All gifts to this fundraiser are 100% tax-deductible.

If you would like to make a gift by check, please mail it to: Development Office, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114.Please put “Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis Fundraiser” in the memo line. 

If you would like to give via stock or other method, please contact Dana Grider at dgrider@meei.harvard.edu for instructions.