The Alpha-1 Assciation is honored to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors. They are: 

Julia Torres Barden

Toledo, Ohio

Julia is a former cable company spokesperson, a Hispanic advocate and an award winning writer. Her middle child was diagnosed as a ZZ in 2007. From there, she has made it a point to spend her life advocating for a cure for her son and all others impacted by Alpha-1.   

Karen L. Voss

Pleasant Hill, Iowa

Karen is currently the Vice President for Finance and Associate Treasurer at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. After her brother was diagnosed, she become involved in the Alpha-1 Community by attending numerous Alpha-1 educational and fundraising events in Iowa.   

D.C. Young

Toquerville, Utah

DC Young's career was spent at a multinational heavy equipment company working in research, product development & purchasing. DC established an Alpha-1 Support Group in Utah and initiated a campaign to educate his extended family about the disease, getting other family members positioned to manage their own and their children's' well being.

Read the complete bio of the Alpha-1 Association's Board of Directors.

 The Association is  holding an hour-long webinar on Friday, July 29th at 3:00pm ET about how to reach out to legislators during their summer breaks, building relationships, navigate the Alpha-1 Action Center and talking points on current issues. Miriam O'Day, Senior Director of Public Policy and Jonathan Welsh, Advocacy /Communications Coordinator will be the moderators. A recording of the webinar will be made available. Click here for instructions on how to participate.

 The Alpha-1 Association and the Alpha-1 Foundation this month sought a meeting with Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue to make the case that Alpha-1 be added on the "Compassionate Allowance" list of disabilities that are fast-tracked for Social Security disability benefits. Miriam O'Day, Senior Director, Public Policy, for the Association and Foundation requested the meeting after Alpha-1 was omitted from the list. Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's standards for disability benefits. Click here for more information. 

 The Alpha-1 Association's Peer Guide Program connects a newly diagnosed Alpha, or someone whose life has been affected by Alpha-1 (Peer) to another Alpha (Guide) with a similar set of circumstances. The Guide provides emotional support, discusses resources available and enables the Peer to make choices about their health and lifestyle. To request a Peer Guide or to find out more about how to become a Peer Guide, contact the Director of Community Programs and Outreach at 1-877-346-3212.  Click here for more information.