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 Murali N. Krishnaswamy

Less than an hour before her second-round match against Wimbledon semifinalist Sabine Lisicki, the most-anticipated match of the U.S Open, on August 31, champion Venus Williams suddenly withdrew from the tournament. She later released a statement explaining why.“I’m really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year’s U.S. Open.” She cited Sjögren’s syndrome, a little-known autoimmune disorder as the reason for her decision to take some time off and recover, thereby turning the spotlight on a condition not well known so far.

See these links where Venus explains what it is like for her, while there are more explanations on this life-altering, but not life-threatening condition.

Venus Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsIfOLuCNRM

Sjogren’s Syndrome Awareness Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzY98DJ4Cvc

A Look At Sjogren’s Disease: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PIcNX5SJ0s&feature=related

Sjogren’s: A Place to Begin - Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa7XQ_Hr_8Q&feature=related

Sjogren’s: A Place to Begin - Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msBot6UD70U&feature=relmfu

Sjogren’s: A Place to Begin - Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8eV6fsDo1c&feature=relmfu

Sjogren’s: A Place to Begin - Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11lhGtTfBy0&feature=relmfu

Sjogren’s: A Place to Begin - Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQuuZlLsF84&feature=relmfu

Sjogren’s: A Place to Begin - Part 6 and last: Research and Resources: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM5K0uNHPrg&feature=relmfu 

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