The Australasian Mastocytosis Society (TAMS)

Support, Education, Research and Advocacy for mast cell disorder patients, physicians, families & caregivers.

DONATE TO TAMS

Please help us educate and support both people with mast cell diseases (MCD) including mastocytosis, MCAS and HaT, as well as health and medical practitioners. Many people with MCD are provided with limited correct information especially when trying to adjust to their diagnosis. We seek your help with fundraising and developing these resources to make a real difference to these people’s quality of life.

BECOME A MEMBER

TAMS is a volunteer-run, membership association. TAMS members receive discounts for TAMS conferences and events, member e-newsletters, online and face-to-face support groups and more.

The TAMS committee advocates on behalf of TAMS Members to the medical community and government.

NEED HELP?

TAMS receives a lot of emails, calls and messages from people seeking diagnosis and treatment for their mast cell diseases. We have put together some information to help you with your diagnosis and treatment journey. If you need support finding a specialist in your area, please contact us. You can also join our Patient Support Group on Facebook.

 

Support groups
Questions to ask your doctor
MCD Education
Support groups

TAMS Research Fund

Since its inception in 2012, TAMS has championed national and international research into mast cell diseases. But we want to do more. The TAMS Research Advisory Committee is working to develop a research grants program, to fund specific post-grad studies into mast cell disorders.

We need your help to reach our target of $30,000. We have already raised $20,000, so we are calling on you to help us raise another $10,000.

All donations received via the TAMS Donation page between now and June 30 will be allocated to the TAMS Research Fund.

LATEST NEWS AND ALERTS

The curse of invisibility

The curse of invisibility

​By Sue Dickinson – TAMS Support Chair Have you ever wanted to disappear or become invisible when the ‘nasty masties’ are wreaking havoc on you? Or, on the flip side, do you wish that people would stop treating you as if you were not there, like you are invisible,...

Resources for the 2023 school year

Resources for the 2023 school year

TAMS recognises the multifaceted challenges many primary caregivers and children face at the beginning of the school year. As such, in addition to the mast cell diseases information on the TAMS website, and connecting with our online Patient and Carer’s Facebook...

Summer and mast cells

Summer and mast cells

Many of us find heat and humidity to be a big trigger for our mast cell diseases. As we navigate summer with our mast cell conditions, it is important to plan ahead to help minimise your reactions to heat. TAMS committee member, Jess Perlibachas, has developed a...

TAMS Annual General Meeting

TAMS Annual General Meeting

The TAMS Annual General Meeting will be held online on Sunday, 18 December 2022, 4–4:30 pm AEDT. Members are invited to join the AGM via Zoom, hear the reports of the past year and cast your vote on the committee for 2022/2023. Please register to attend our AGM on...

SpotOurSpots … in the news

SpotOurSpots … in the news

Read our media coverage for Awareness Day 2022 Wollongong lit up purple for mastocytosis and mast cell diseases – Illawarra Mercury Goulburn Visitor Information Centre and Goulburn Soldiers Club light up purple – Goulburn Post Picture by Pro Sound and Lighting,...

ABOUT TAMS

The Australasian Mastocytosis Society (TAMS) has been created as an advocacy, education and support body for those throughout Australasia who suffer from or care for those with Mastocytosis or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). TAMS has been established due to the overwhelming need for sufferers and their supporters to find a local voice and active support network.

TAMS is an independent ‘not for profit’ incorporated organisation with a committed and functional volunteer committee of individuals – all of whom are sufferers or carers – ensuring your needs will be met.

 

TAMS Support

We provide a network of support for patients living with mast cell disorders including Systemic Mastocytosis, Cutaneous Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and their carers.

TAMS runs free monthly online support groups for members and potential members. 
Visit our Facebook Events page for registration information.

Do you suffer from Mastocytosis or MCAD? Join the Australasian Mastocytosis and MCAD Facebook Support Group.

Carers are invited to join the Mastocytosis Australasia Carers Facebook Support Group.

 

We connect patients

to medical practitioners and specialists with knowledge of Mastocytosis and MCAS.

 

We link worldwide

with associations to collectively gather research data, share resources and knowledge for greater understanding, treatment practices, medications, improved health outcomes and raising awareness globally.

OUR VISION

Through the building of strong relationships and a greater knowledge base, expand TAMS in geographical and intellectual areas to better support an ever-expanding database of sufferers, their supporters and clinicians.

MASTOCYTOSIS

Mastocytosis has been defined as an abnormal accumulation of mast cells in one or more organ systems. Previously classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a myeloproliferative neoplasm, mastocytosis is now classified in its own category under myeloid neoplasms. Broadly separated into three categories, cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), systemic mastocytosis (SM) and mast cell sarcoma. These diseases occur in both children and adults.

 

CHILDREN WITH MASTOCYTOSIS

The most common form of mastocytosis in children is cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), accounting for approximately 90 percent of mastocytosis cases in this age group. The prognosis is excellent for children with CM who have onset of skin lesions within the first two years of life (most children) as spontaneous resolution or improvement is common after several years. CM that develops after the age of two years tends to persist.

MAST CELL ACTIVATION SYNDROME (MCAS)

There is an existence of a subset of mast cell disorder patients who experience episodes of mast cell activation without detectable evidence of a proliferative mast cell disorder. Some patients who exhibit symptoms of mast cell mediator release do not fulfil the criteria for SM. Diagnosis requires consistent symptoms, reported benefit with medications and diagnostic evidence of excess mast cells in tissue biopsies or abnormal mast cell mediators in blood or urine tests. This is referred to as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

CELEBRATE ON 20 OCTOBER ANNUALLY 

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