Advocates Seek Increased Federal Funding to Bridge the Gaps in Lupus Research, Awareness, and Education
February 28, 2011(Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, nearly 200 advocates from across the country will band together for lupus and urge Members of Congress to support increased federal funding to bridge the gaps in lupus research, awareness, and education during the Lupus Foundation of America’s (LFA) Thirteenth Annual Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.
The LFA nationwide grassroots network has grown considerably in the last decade to include tens of thousands of lupus advocates, supporters, and volunteers from every state. Those who cannot attend the day’s events on Capitol Hill can still make their voices heard and get involved. Advocates can find out more about how they can support LFA’s advocacy’s efforts from the comfort of their home by visiting www.lupus.org/advocacyday.
As part of the day’s events a luncheon will be held to honor Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Congressman Bill Young (R-FL), where they will be presented with the LFA Distinguished Leadership Award. Senator McCaskill will be recognized for her support of health care reform, and increased access to medical care for people with lupus and other diseases. Congressman Young will be honored for his commitment to advancing lupus research, education, and awareness through the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health (OMH).
In previous years, Congress has acted in response to advocates’ call for an expanded federal effort to address lupus by: opening new sources of federal agency funding for biomedical research on lupus; providing millions of dollars for the first-ever comprehensive national epidemiological study on lupus; stimulating a national health care provider education initiative to improve lupus diagnosis, treatment, and management among minorities through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, and funding the first-ever national multimedia public service advertising campaign on lupus sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) and the Ad Council.
To find out more about LFA’s Advocacy Day, and how to get involved visit, www.lupus.org.
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