Autoimmune Life Blog

A microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that create a “mini-ecosystem” – and there are 100 trillion bacteria inside your intestinal tract! Many gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria live in the gut and help with digestion.

Nearly 400 guests learned about the breakthrough medical research in fighting allergies and autoimmune diseases during the Illuminations Luncheon on Oct. 27 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, MS or Crohn’s disease, can be a challenging journey.

Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE, is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose. It affects many areas of body including the joints, skin and kidneys. More than 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with lupus each year.

With the help of generous volunteers, BRI scientists have been able to move autoimmune and immune-mediated disease research forward.

Did you know that BRI researchers aren’t just researchers? They’re teachers, too. In fact, 12 BRI researchers serve on the University of Washington (UW) faculty, two of which also teach at the Chiba University School of Medicine in Japan.

Julie Poulsen learned she was allergic to peanuts at two years old. “I almost died in my mother’s arms after having a Snicker’s candy bar at a friend’s house,” says Julie.

Whether kicking off a new school year or returning to school after a new diagnosis, one of the best ways to ensure your child is safe and supported at school is to help the people around them understand Type 1 diabetes.

Exciting and innovative new treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are now being offered in clinical research trials at Virginia Mason supported by BRI.

Recently, we received one of our surprise donations. It came from Penn Mason McClatchey Sr., the grandson of one of the founders of Virginia Mason, John Blackford, MD. In 1920, Dr.