Sarcoidosis Europe European Association of Patients Organizations of Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders (EPOS)

EPOS was founded as the european umbrella under which the national patients' organizations will be represented. Founded on October 23th, 2000 by Sarcoidose.nl (Netherlands) formerly SBN, DSV (Germany), SarcoidosisUK (United Kingdom) formerly SILA, and SSARV (Switzerland). EPOS was joind by BBS (Belgium) in autumn 2006 and by ISARC (Ireland) in spring 2008. Since then collaboration with affiliated Sarcoidosis patient associations developed with the succeeding association in Ireland Sarcoidosis Ireland (Ireland), Amici Contro la Sarcoidosi Italia onlus (Italy), ANES (Spain), Serbian Association of Sarcoidosis (Serbia), NAS (Bulgaria), Association Coeur Couleur La Sarcoïdose (France) and UOS (Croatia). EPOS has clearly marked targets and ideals. These include active participation in the foundation of (new) national organizations and also to stimulate international research and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences and expertise. The priority remains the provision of adequate information for patients and all others involved, in the broadest sense. The suffering of the long-term sarcoid patient must be recognized as an unsatisfactory situation. Not only is the cause unknown but a medical cure remains undiscovered. In order to help these patients and those who aim to help them, the European Association of Patients Organizations and other Granulomatous Disorders (EPOS) was brought into being.