In honor of late mother, Gottheimer launches Congressional Sarcoidosis Caucus

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) announced this morning that he’s launching a new caucus focused on researching and treating sarcoidosis, the chronic illness from which his mother passed away eight years ago.

Gottheimer’s mother, Gwenn Feldman, was a Jersey Shore native who, “though small in stature, … was a big presence,” Gottheimer said today. She was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that primarily attacks the lungs and lymph nodes, and died in 2018 at the age of 71.

Gottheimer has previously pushed for funding for sarcoidosis research as part of the congressional appropriations process, and the new bipartisan Congressional Sarcoidosis Caucus, he said, will work to continue that effort and push for new innovations and treatments for the disease, which currently has no cure. He’s launching the caucus alongside Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio.

“Sarcoidosis is a devastating disease that too often goes undiagnosed and under-researched,” Gottheimer said in a statement. “After losing my incredible mom to this illness, I know how urgent it is that we do more to support patients, families, and researchers working toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.”