Advocacy Efforts Have Raised Amyloidosis Awareness
The Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race spotlights the disease as new medical treatments improve patient outcomes.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
Live Poll
Do you trust that hospitals in your area are adequately equipped to diagnose rare diseases?
The Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race in Pittsburgh raises critical awareness for amyloidosis. Former U.S. Representative Ron Klink is among the public figures who have navigated this diagnosis as medical care evolves.
Why it matters
Outdated medical perceptions often hinder early diagnosis of this protein-buildup disease, though modern imaging and new medications are transforming it from a terminal condition into a manageable one.
Most U.S. hospitals have never diagnosed a patient with amyloidosis, a condition that occurs when abnormal protein buildup damages organs. Ron Klink now manages his condition with one pill daily, a stark contrast to the era when the disease was a death sentence.
The players
Ron Klink
The former U.S. Representative served in Congress during the 1990s and has publicly shared his own 2025 amyloidosis diagnosis.
Richard S. Caliguiri
The former mayor of Pittsburgh died of amyloidosis at age 56, forty years ago.
Bob Casey
The late former Pennsylvania Governor received a heart-liver transplant after his amyloidosis diagnosis and lived seven years longer.
Louis Tullio
The former mayor of Erie died from complications related to amyloidosis within two and a half years of his diagnosis.
The details
Amyloidosis involves an abnormal buildup of proteins that damages organs, historically viewed as a death sentence until the last 15 years. Advanced imaging and new treatments now allow doctors to slow or even halt the progression of the disease.
Timeline
1987: Ron Klink reported on the diagnosis of Richard Caliguiri.
Summer 1991: Gov. Bob Casey disclosed his own amyloidosis diagnosis.
1992: Ron Klink won his first U.S. House term.
2000: Ron Klink ran for the U.S. Senate.
September 26-27, 2026: The Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race occurs in Pittsburgh.
Health Landscape
The Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race marks a significant shift in public understanding following the 1987 diagnosis of Pittsburgh Mayor Richard Caliguiri. This event highlights the massive evolution in medical outcomes for the disease over the past four decades.
Patients with suspected amyloidosis should seek specialized care, as early detection via advanced imaging is now possible. While the condition was once considered untreatable, daily medication regimens can now effectively slow or stop organ damage.
The takeaway
Advancements in medical science have shifted amyloidosis from a terminal diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition. Patients should prioritize early screening to benefit from current therapies that prevent organ damage.
Further reading
Learn more about degenerative protein conditions at our Alzheimer’s section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
Live Poll
Do you trust that hospitals in your area are adequately equipped to diagnose rare diseases?
