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» What is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakingly attacks its own organs and tissue. It is estimated that 1.4 million people in the United States have lupus. A person’s risk of developing lupus appears to be determined by genetics. However, the onset of the disease may be triggered by environmental factors, such as sunlight, infection, and stress. Nine out of ten people who have lupus are women in their child bearing years. It is three times more common in African-American women than in Caucasian women.

» What are the affects of lupus?

Systemic lupus affects the joints and almost every major organ of the body. There can be chronic and sometimes overwhelming fatigue and pain caused by inflammation. The course of lupus varies and is characterized by alternating periods of flares (increased disease activity) and remissions. Some people with lupus experience only mild symptoms and have few complications. Others experience frequent flares that lead to moderate or even severe complications. The disease can be fatal.

The cost of lupus is more than many other diseases, about $20,000 a year. If the kidneys are affected it can be as much as $68,000 a year.

» Why we chose to support the Alliance for Lupus Research

Robert Wood Johnson IV is owner of the NY Jets and a member of the Johnson & Johnson family. In 1997 his daughter was diagnosed with lupus. He convened a conference of experts shortly after.

They found that very little was being done for lupus, including research. People were suffering for years before being diagnosed. The drugs that were being used were developed for the treatment of other illnesses. No new drugs for lupus had been introduced for over forty years. Labs that were doing research were closing because of lack of funding.

Those at the conference discussed what could be done in the next 15 years if lupus research was properly funded. That is when the Alliance for Lupus Research was formed to raise and disperse funds for continued research. With all the medical breakthroughs they felt that with proper funding a cure would be found.

One hundred percent of the donations go to lupus research. All expenses are paid by the Alliance board.
Please, Round-Up for Lupus. Together we can make a difference in finding a cure.
link: http://www.lupusresearch.org