The National Rosacea Society has received wide support from rosacea sufferers for its newly established research grants program. Individual donations totaling more than $250,000 have been received to date, and are now earmarked for funding important scientific research into the potential causes and other key aspects of this poorly understood disorder.

"Those who are most affected by rosacea, patients themselves, have shown through their generosity a strong commitment to help advance scientific knowledge of this chronic disorder," said Dr. Jonathan Wilkin, director of Dermatologic and Dental Drug Products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and chairman of the medical advisory board for the Society's research grants program. "The growing interest among medical researchers, coupled with this increased availability of research funding, should help unlock the many mysteries behind rosacea and will hopefully lead to significant improvements in its treatment, control and even potential prevention."

The Society recently announced the availability of the grants to the medical research community, including dermatology departments of medical schools throughout the United States as well as key research centers worldwide, and has received requests for grant application forms from a growing number of researchers for a wide range of studies.

Because the cause of rosacea is unknown, a high priority in awarding grants will be given to studies that relate to such areas as its pathogenesis, progression, mechanism of action, cell biology and potential genetic factors, according to Dr. Wilkin. Consideration will also be given to fund rosacea research in such areas as epidemiology, predisposition, quality of life and relationships with environmental and lifestyle factors.

The deadline for submitting grant applications is June 15, 1999, and grants will be issued following review and selection by the medical advisory board during the summer. The awarding of grants and study results will appear in future issues of Rosacea Review. Readers can still make a tax-deductible donation to the research grants program by mailing a check to the National Rosacea Society, 111 Lions Dr., Ste. 216, Barrington, Illinois 60010.