Lupus Sufferers Seek Federal Support for Public and Professional Education, Other Programs

5/6/2003

From: Duane Peters of the Lupus Foundation of America, 301-670-9292, ext. 17; e-mail: peters@lupus.org

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 6 -- More than 150 lupus patients and members of their families from across the nation will meet with members of Congress as part of the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) Fifth Annual Advocacy Day on Wednesday, May 7. Advocates will urge Congress to provide $100 million for lupus-related medical research, funds to establish a professional and public education campaign on lupus symptoms, additional federal support to fully implement the National Lupus Patient Registry established last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a special initiative to validate biomarkers that may speed approval of potentially new drugs to treat lupus.

Lupus advocates from as far away as Alaska and Florida will meet with their elected officials to provide information about the chronic autoimmune disease that affects as many 1.5 million Americans -- mostly women -- with the highest prevalence among women of color. Actress and Maybelline model Tomiko Fraser, whose sister is struggling with lupus, will join the advocates as they make their rounds on Capitol Hill. Lupus is a significant health issue for women since 80 percent of new lupus cases develop among women of childbearing age.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's own cells. The disease is difficult to diagnose because symptoms of lupus -- such as achy or swollen joints, fatigue, fevers, and skin rashes -- mimic common illnesses. There is no cure for lupus and current therapies can be toxic and cause life-threatening side effects. No new therapies have been approved specifically for lupus in more than 30 years. The LFA is calling for more research on lupus and more federal funds to educate doctors and the public on symptoms of the disease.

The Lupus Foundation of America is the nation's premier nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to lupus, with 50 chapters and 200 support groups throughout the United States.