Be an Advocate

What is involved in being an advocate for lupus?

An advocate helps to call attention to the needs of people with lupus by educating government officials about the disease and its health impact to ensure that proper resources will be made available to lead the fight against the lupus and find the cure.

Whether through a letter, fax, email message, phone call, or face-to-face meeting with your U.S. Representative or Senators, you can help get action on legislation important to people with lupus. Make no mistake about it; your voice does make a difference.

Who can be an advocate?

Anyone can become a lupus advocate. You don't have to be an expert in government affairs. Just share your knowledge about lupus. Tell your elected officials that they need to take action now to address this urgent national health problem.

We need you, your family, friends, co-workers, and physicians to contact Congress and urge elected officials to support legislation important to lupus patients and their families.

How can I learn how to advocate for lupus?

The Lupus Foundation of America created the Government Advocacy Center to keep you informed. In this section you can:

• Identify members of Congress who represent you in Washington.
• Read legislative alerts about new bills or upcoming votes.
• Join our Action E-List to receive regular updates or action alerts.
• Learn the status of key bills in Congress.
• See how your Representative or Senators voted on critical lupus issues.
• Send emails or letters to your elected officials in Washington.
• Learn how Congress works and how you can influence their decisions.

Click here to go to the Government Advocacy Center

The LFA is the lupus community's full-time advocate in Washington. Advocacy is an important function that benefits all people with lupus, their families and health professionals. The primary objectives of LFA advocacy efforts are:

• greatly increase government funding for lupus-related medical research.
• raise public awareness and understanding of lupus, its consequences, and impact on those who afflicted with the disease.
• expand services for all people who are directly or indirectly affected by lupus.

How to sign up?

It's easy.  Sign up to become an e-Advocate. You will receive periodic updates, and action alerts when your efforts can make a difference.