Ginny and Doug Ware have partnered with Dr. Saira Sheikh to support a new fund that will advance science and improve the lives of individuals with autoimmune diseases.
This generous gift was used to create the Virginia A. and Douglas R. Ware Fund for Excellence in Autoimmune Diseases.
“This new Fund will support my vision for a program at the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center (TARC) with potential for much larger impact in the future – a platform to develop ground-breaking ideas, and a community of doctors, researchers and patients who are working closely together to advance science and to improve the lives of individuals with autoimmune diseases,” said Dr. Saira Sheikh. She is the Linda Coley Sewell Distinguished Professor of Medicine in Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, and Director of Clinical Trials at TARC.
“Philanthropic donations such as the Ware’s gift are critical to our work, and to advancing science,” she added. “The gift will support projects that test novel hypotheses aimed at advancing our knowledge and understanding of Lupus, which is a complex autoimmune disease.”
Philanthropy has long been important to the Wares, and the couple is driven by a desire to help others. For the Wares, the connection with Dr. Sheikh was immediate and they were inspired by how she combines cutting-edge research with empathetic patient care.
You can learn more about their inspirational gift and personal story, as well as how their generous gift will be used via this link.