The Lupus Alliance of America was formed by five founding affiliates that have over 125 years of experience serving lupus patients in their communities. Their mission to ensure the delivery of services to those affected by lupus through affiliate members and other agencies and to fund research efforts, has been a mantra they have followed since their inception in 2002.
Since 2002, the Lupus Alliance of America has given over $650,000 to research, over $565,000 of that money was given to the Lupus Research Institute, dedicated to novel and innovative research in lupus. The remainder of the monies given from the LAA was distributed between the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC which received $56,000 from the LAA, and $30,000 to research projects in Michigan, one of the Alliance`s Affiliate states.
Honi Kurzjea, President of the LAA was thrilled to make the announcement to her board this past week. “As a group, we have always prided ourselves on being one of the most active and effective agencies for those with lupus. To know that over the last 8 years we have helped move lupus research forward to where it is now, is one of the most exciting moments in our lives.”
JoAnn Quinn, Treasurer of the LAA and Executive Director of the LAA`s Long Island/Queens chapter added, “Most of us who started the Lupus Alliance either have lupus ourselves or have a close family member who has lupus, so it has always been a personal cause for us to raise as much money as possible to fund research that will not only help those we represent but for ourselves as well.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, with no known cure, which causes the immune system to go awry and attack the body`s own tissues and organs and affects over 2 million Americans. Research into the cause and cure for lupus has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, leading to what will be the first new drug designed and approved for lupus in over 50 years. The Lupus Alliance of America has been on the cutting edge of these new developments not only with funding, but with spreading awareness about lupus and the need for better medications and diagnostics, not only with the public but with the government as well.
With so much activity surrounding lupus research with both new medications being developed and breakthroughs into understanding the mechanics of the disease, people with lupus are finally getting the attention and acknowledgment they deserve. Many in the lupus community, including the LAA believe that in the next 10 years, major breakthroughs will completely change how lupus is treated and diagnosed and will eventually lead to a cure. The Lupus Alliance of America intends to be there on the forefront of these new research discoveries, keeping their promise and commitment to serve those with lupus until there is a cure.
If you would like to support the Lupus Alliance of America research efforts, or if you have lupus or know someone who does and needs assistance, please call 1-866-415-8787 or email info@lupusalliance.org.
