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Welcome to the Kawasaki Disease Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to Kawasaki Disease issues. This site was recently enhanced to simplify navigation and improve functionality.  We continuously make improvements and welcome your comments.

The Kawasaki Disease Foundation is partnership of parents, patients, and professionals dedicated to advancing Kawasaki Disease issues. The Foundation focuses on awareness, support, and research.

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is an illness that primarily affects young children. It is characterized by an inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body.
About 75 percent of patients are under five years old, but it can affect older children, babies and teenagers, as well. KD is more common in boys than girls, and the majority of cases are diagnosed in the winter and early spring. It is not contagious.

Early symptoms of KD include:
  • Fever that lasts for several days
  • Rash, often worse in the groin area
  • Red eyes, without drainage or crusting
  • Bright red, swollen, cracked lips
  • “Strawberry” tongue, which appears with shiny bright red spots after the top coating sloughs off
  • Swollen hands and feet
  • Redness of the palms and soles of the feet
  • Swollen lymph nodes
Understandably, children with these symptoms are extremely uncomfortable and irritable. Any parent whose child has persistent fever and any of these symptoms should take him or her to the doctor immediately.
Sunday, October 05, 2008 - 2008 KD Fund Family Day and Symposium in Chicago

The 2008 Kawasaki Disease Family Day Walk and Symposium will take place on Sunday, October 5, 2008 in Chicago. Click here for updates.
Monday, July 21, 2008 - Seattle Children's Hospital Research Study

Researchers at Seattle Children’s Hospital are leading a research study looking at the role hereditary or genetic factors play in Kawasaki Disease. Specifically, they would like to find out why some children with Kawasaki Disease respond to intravenous gamma globulin quicker than others. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Research Coordinator: Mary Beth Lee at (206) 884-5153 or marybeth.lee@seattlechildrens.org.
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9th Int'l KD Symposium Abstracts

Click here to view details regarding the 9th International Kawasaki Disease Symposium Abstracts.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - Article on KD Long Term Health

Interesting article on health of KD patients long term. Click here to read.
Friday, February 01, 2008 - New York KD Awareness Week

New York has declared February 3rd - 9th as Kawasaki Disease Awareness Week. For information, contact Uma Odonnell at save_a_childs_heart@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - KD Canada Web Site & Event

On November 3, 2007 triathlon athlete, Peter Johnson will complete Ironman Florida, swimming 3.8 km, biking 180 km and running 42.2 km at Panama City Beach, Florida.

KD Canada is honoured to have Peter wear the Kawasaki Disease Canada logo on his triathlon suit. The total distance for the event is 226 km and Peter's goal is to raise $100 for every kilometer.

Please take a moment to visit the KD Canada web site here.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - Watch out for e-mail scams

We recently received an email scam that claimed a relationship with the KD Foundation. At first glance it appeared more genuine than your typical scam because it included the KD Foundation logo as an image in the email. Please be aware of these scams and be watchful of any email you receive.
- KD Fund Family Day

On September 9th, the Kawasaki Disease Fund hosted a Family Day. Click here for more details.
- Live Patient Power Webcast

On July 17th, a webcast was presented called Kawasaki Disease: The Race for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment in Children. Please click here for details.

A live replay of the event can be heard here.
- KD Parent Group in Canada

A new KD parent group in Canada has just been organized. Email them at awareness@kdcanada.ca to find out more information.
- KD Research

If you or your institution are conducting, or plan to conduct, KD research, and would like to post information about your project, please contact KDF at info@kdfoundation.org. Also use this email address if you have already published a completed research project and would like us to provide a link to your report.
- New AHA Guidelines

Click here to view the new AHA KD guidelines
- Video: The Race for An Answer

The Foundation has put together a short film called "The Race for An Answer" to help bring about awareness. Click here to view the film.



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