The Vasculitis Foundation (VF) advocates for early diagnosis, leading-edge treatment, research, and ultimately a cure for all types of vasculitis. The foundation supports and empowers patients through education and awareness. Through the VF's detailed website, bimonthly newsletter, medical consultants, symposiums, webinars, chapters, support groups and contacts, the VF educates patients, their families and health care professionals about vasculitis. Vasculitis is a family of rare autoimmune diseases that can affect people of all ages. The term vasculitis means inflammation of the blood vessels, arteries, veins or capillaries. When such inflammation occurs, it causes changes in the walls of blood vessels, such as weakening and narrowing that can progress to the point of blood vessel blockage to organs. This blockage can cause serious organ damage and without proper treatment may even result in death.