About the Georgia Chapter
Mission
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation's leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support and services to all people affected by lupus. See the ten reasons why the LFA is leading the way!
Who we are
The Georgia Chapter is proud to be led by a strong Board of Directors who provide governance, strategic advice and development assistance.
In addition, the Medical Advisory Board is an organization of physicians and health care workers devoted to the treatment of lupus and related diseases with two main goals: 1) to educate patients as well as the general public throughout the state of Georgia, and 2) to support research that fosters excellence in the care of patients or advances our understanding of the disease.
Georgia Chapter President and CEO
Maria Myler
The stories and pictures we share on our website show many who care about lupus in Atlanta and beyond. Every day, we meet patients who are scared, in need of help, tired of feeling that no one knows or even cares about lupus, tired of feeling tired and tired of fighting lupus. We must be fighters for them, for all those living with this life diminishing and life devastating disease that affects so many of all ages. Why fighters? Fighters feel their cause is just, they want to be upfront in people’s conscience, fighters want others to know they are determined, but most of all fighters want to win! We must continue to fight for our 55,000 Georgians with lupus, who need new and better drugs with less toxic treatments, more funding for research and education and awareness.
I am inspired every day and honored to support the commitment of our new board chair, Alex Cann, Jr. Alex’s tireless leadership and commitment helped secure our first and largest corporate walk team raising $40,000 and Alex is involved with every chapter program and event. (See Page 6 -7). Our growth and momemtum is also due to new board members and many new volunteers in our chapter, all united for a mission, which for too long, has been under recognized, under funded and under researched.
Alicia Philipp, president of the Atlanta Community Foundation recently stated in an Atlanta Business Chronicle article on the growing struggles of many non-profits, large and small, “that it is the power of individuals connecting with others that changes an environment.” We are making those connections, uniting people who care about lupus. We can and need to do more; you can help, get involved and make a difference. Come to the 2009 Lupus Awareness Day, join the Walk for Lupus Now, join one of our event planning committees or support our education programs or support groups.
We have momemtum and many touched by lupus are excited to have a voice and an opportunity to make a difference in something that changes their lives, completely. For many, the Walk for Lupus Now, Lupus Awareness Day and our “Living with Lupus”series were empowering, first time experiences to be part of city-wide recognitions of lupus.
Nationally our LFA advocacy efforts have led to increased lupus research funding of $6.5 million, including an increase from $1 to $3 million for the Georgia Lupus Registry in Atlanta, (see page 9). The LFA’s direct funding of research has grown 100% in the past 3 years with $2 million awarded in 2006-07 in direct support to lupus research.
Alicia’s comments echo the great words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Well, we may not change the world, but we are determined to change the way Atlanta and Georgia think about lupus. You can help us, get involved and help someone you know with lupus. Together we can create hope, awareness, advocate for increased funding, find the cause, a cure and improve the lives of all those living with lupus.
Sincerely,
Maria Myler