About Us
Mission
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, supporting individuals and families affected by the disease, increasing awareness of lupus among health professionals and the public, and finding the cure.
Who we are
The Missouri Lupus Foundation was chartered in 1974 when St. Louisan Roger Sturdevant (who had been living with lupus since the age of sixteen), banded together with a small group of volunteers to increase awareness and promote education about lupus. Three years later, they went on to establish the National Lupus Foundation in Washington, D.C.
The Lupus Foundation serving Missouri and southern Illinois is one of the most active LFA Chapters in the nation. We have more than 950 active members, a volunteer Board of Directors, a staff of three and are currently serving over 30,000 individuals in Missouri and southern Illinois.
We invite you to meet the Faces of Lupus and read the inspiring stories of people who are living with lupus in the Missouri and southern Illinois area.
We'd also like to learn more about you. Please fill out our online contact us form.
From the President
Dear Friends,
The information throughout this website is here to keep you up to date with the most current information about lupus and how the Lupus Foundation of America, serving the state of Missouri and southern Illinois, contribute to local and national efforts. You will read about the many programs, activities, events, and services in which you can take part, as well as the research and clinical trial studies taking place.
The previous section explains the proud beginning and history of how the Foundation began - simply to create a support system. As those few gathered together, they realized that the need for support was much greater than just getting together and sharing their stories. They realized that in order to create a true support system, there needed to be action taken to help change an uncertain future. A true support system is made up of individuals who advocate, champion, collaborate, and help strengthen each other, thus creating a strong foundation. To that end, we must join together to advocate for those living with this devastating disease. By advocating on behalf of others living with lupus, we create a feeling of hope with an end result of victory.
Every day we meet those whose quality of life is compromised by lupus and who are frightened for their futures. Your local Foundation helps in many ways. We offer Support Groups, Educational Series, Patient Resource List, Informational Materials, as well as contributing and publicizing Research and Clinical Trials. We visit Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. each year, to educate our legislators on the importance of health care and research.
We have also partnered with the National Ad Council for the "COULD I HAVE LUPUS?" campaign to spread awareness of lupus, make the voices of lupus heard, and bring lupus to the forefront of our community. Please visit couldihavelupus.gov to view this campaign.
To serve families in our Chapter area who are affected by lupus, we receive funding from many sources, including grants from United Way and Missouri Foundation for Health as well as individuals and corporations that join us in our battle. The LFA hosts Walk For Lupus Now annually at one of the many fabulous parks for which St. Louis is so well-known. In 2009, we introduced an additional walk site in Rolla, Missouri. In cities and towns across the state of Missouri and southern Illinois, hundreds of people just like you will be walking to help the Lupus Foundation of America find a cure for lupus.
We are also very excited to welcome back The Lupus WolfRide, a GranFondo cycling event, whose goal is to promote awareness of lupus and pushing pedals for the best time you can achieve, while using our minds and bodies to raise the necessary funds for a cure! The 2010 WOLFRIDE is scheduled for Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Columbia, Illinois.
You can become part of this great team by joining the Foundation, supporting one of our events, and, of course, by volunteering. Whether you become a member, volunteer for a committee or attend an event, we look forward to working with you in 2010 and beyond!
Respectfully,
Dawn Winkler
President and CEO
