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2024 National Lupus Advocacy Summit

Learn. Connect. Advocate.

Join lupus warriors from all over the country for the largest lupus advocacy event of the year in Washington, DC! From May 19–21, Summit attendees will learn from experts in the field about the latest in lupus research, connect with hundreds of their fellow lupus warriors and advocate for increased research funding, ensure access to care and advance policies to improve the lives of all people with lupus. Don’t miss your chance to turn Capitol Hill purple once again!

What you'll do at the 2024 National Lupus Advocacy Summit:

Each year, the National Lupus Advocacy Summit brings together the entire lupus community in pursuit of our shared goal: a world without lupus. At the 2024 Summit, you'll help us build on our past successes and push for more.

book
Learn.

Hear firsthand from the brightest minds researching and treating this disease and receive training on how to advocate for yourself and others with lupus throughout the entire year.

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Connect.

There's no other event in the world that brings together as many people affected by lupus as the Summit. Be surrounded by those who understand your challenges and can help you manage them.

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Advocate.

Meet with your members of Congress to tell your lupus story and urge them to join our fight against this terrible disease by supporting policies to improve the lives of all people affected by lupus.

The National Lupus Advocacy Summit is the keystone of our comprehensive advocacy program that has generated more than $684 million in federal funding for lupus research in the last five years.

Attend the 2024 National Lupus Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC

We can't turn Capitol Hill purple without you! We hope you'll join us in Washington this May for a truly impactful event.

Overview of In-Person Summit Events
Sunday, May 19

6:00–7:00 pm
Welcome Reception at the JW Marriott (optional) 
Join us at the JW Marriott for an informal evening reception with Summit attendees and Lupus Foundation of America staff. Receive your materials for the Summit and enjoy light refreshments as you get to know lupus advocates from across the country.
 

Monday, May 20

8:30–9:30 am
Registration Opens and Breakfast 


9:30-9:45 am
Welcome Remarks 


9:45-11:00 am
The Promise of Lupus Treatment Development - Panel
Clinical research is critically important for improving outcomes for people living with lupus. This session will highlight the exciting work taking place in lupus drug and treatment development, including the vital roles people living with lupus play in making new treatments possible.
Joan T. Merrill, MD (Moderator)


11:00–11:15 am
Break


11:15 am–12:30 pm (Breakout)
Advocacy Works - The Importance of Federal Lupus Research and Education Programs - Panel
Lupus advocates have helped to generate nearly $800 million over the last five years alone to establish and support lupus research and education programs at federal agencies. During this session, attendees will learn about the important work underway within the federal government, demonstrating not only why advocacy is so important, but also how it is making a difference.
Karen Costenbader, MD, MPH (Moderator)
 

11:15 am– 12:30 pm (Breakout)
Self-Care 

Led by the Foundation’s Health Education team, this interactive breakout session focuses on self-care and will share tools and resources that are available to help people living with lupus exercise self-care, helping to ensure their physical and emotional needs are met, which is especially important for people with lupus. (Please Note: separate registration required as space is limited, more details to come!)


12:30 –1:30 pm
Lunch 


1:30–2:15 pm (Breakout #1)
Advocacy 101 (new advocates)                                                                                                                   Meeting with members of Congress and visiting Capitol Hill for the first time can be intimidating! This session, designed for first-time Summit attendees, will ease those fears and reassure lupus warriors of the power in their advocacy. The session will review all of the basics of advocating on Capitol Hill, from how to navigate the Congressional office buildings and where to eat lunch on the Hill, to what to expect in the Hill meetings and the role each person plays in those meetings.


LFA Expo & Advocate Networking (returning advocates) 
During this time, Summit and Congressional meeting veterans are invited to visit the Exhibit Hall to engage with our partners and learn about the Lupus Foundation of America programs that can help improve the lives of people with lupus. This also is a great opportunity to network with other lupus advocates or to simply take a break!


2:15–3:00 pm (Breakout #2)
Advocacy Year-Round (returning advocates)
While Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill is critically important, advocacy is a year-round activity and there are many additional opportunities for lupus warriors to make a difference during the other 364 days of the year. During this session, participants will learn more about these opportunities, including about Congressional district meetings, how to advocate virtually, participate in local and state advocacy and how they can help grow the lupus advocate network, which is more than 40,000 strong across the country.


LFA Expo & Advocate Networking (new advocates) 
During this time, those who participated in the Advocacy 101 breakout session are invited to visit the Exhibit Hall to engage with our partners and learn about the Lupus Foundation of America programs that can help improve the lives of people with lupus. This also is a great opportunity to network with other lupus advocates simply take a break!


3:00-3:45 pm (Full group Session)
Prep for the Hill
The Foundation's Advocacy & Government Relations team will discuss the issues we will be taking to Capitol Hill the next day, prepare you to tell your story in the most impactful way, and make sure you are fully prepared for three successful Congressional meetings the following day.


3:45–4:45 pm
Closing & Delegation Prep
State delegations will meet to coordinate and plan their Congressional meeting strategies for the meetings on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Foundation staff will be present to answer any questions and help you practice.


6:00–8:00 pm
Lupus Heroes Reception 
Join us as we honor our advocates, Ambassadors, and all of those who have made a difference in the fight against lupus. During the reception we will recognize lupus heroes, including presenting the Sandra Raymond Advocate of the Year Award and the Barlin Family of the Year Award. Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, May 21

7:30 – 9 am Breakfast (Optional)


9 am – 4 pm Congressional Meetings 

Meet with your members of Congress on Capitol Hill to tell the lupus story and urge them to support policies that will advance the fight against lupus. Lunch on your own. Capitol photo.


3 – 5:30 pm Recap at the JW Marriott (Optional) 

Recap your day with Foundation staff and your fellow advocates, complete your Congressional Meeting Reports, and grab a snack before heading back home.

Registration Details

Your Summit registration fee of $50 provides you with an all-access pass to the 2024 National Lupus Advocacy Summit. We collect this fee to reserve your spot at the event and help offset the costs associated with planning and executing an event of this size. The registration fee is waived for advocates 18 or under.

Included in your registration fee is:

  • Exclusive access to our discounted room rate at the JW Marriott, Washington, DC
  • Breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day on Monday, May 20
  • Breakfast on Tuesday, May 21 and refreshments after your meetings on Capitol Hill
  • Discounted transportation to and from Capitol Hill for your congressional meetings
  • Scheduled meetings with your members of Congress and access to a mobile app to help you navigate Capitol Hill, keep notes on your meetings, engage your members of Congress on social media, and more.

After you register for the Summit, you'll receive much more information to help you prepare for your trip to Washington. The week before the Summit, we will host a webinar to review everything you need to know and answer any final questions you may have. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us.

Register Now for the 2024 National Lupus Advocacy Summit

Hotel Information

The 2024 Summit will be hosted at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC. All Summit events will be held in the hotel, with the exception of the congressional meetings on May 21. After registering for the Summit, you'll receive access to reserve a room at our discounted room block in the JW Marriott. The room rate is $339/night.

Summit Scholarships

The Foundation will provide scholarships for advocates to attend the Summit. Scholarships are limited, and we unfortunately are not able to provide scholarships for everyone who applies. The deadline to apply for a scholarship was February 11th and we are no longer accepting applicants.

Congressional Meetings

The Foundation will use the address you provide when registering to schedule meetings for you with your three members of Congress. Please do not attempt to schedule your own meetings. Click here to find out who represents you in Congress.

Traveling with Lupus

If you are living with lupus and planning to attend the Summit, check out our guide to traveling with the disease and this helpful packing list as you prepare for your trip to Washington. If you have specific nutritional needs or require ADA hotel accommodations, please contact Ameenah Habib after you have registered for the Summit. 

An image of the virtual lobby from the 2022 Digital Lupus Advocacy Summit.
Virtual Access to the 2024 Summit

For advocates unable to travel to Washington, DC this May, we will provide an opportunity for advocates to participate virtually by streaming Summit sessions and connecting with their fellow advocates, and urging their members of Congress to support policies to improve the lives of people with lupus. Please stay tuned for the virtual registration!

An image of the US Capitol dome against a blue sky with a white and purple stamp reading "Turn Capitol Hill Purple"

We understand that traveling to Washington can be costly. It's important to us that we provide advocates every opportunity to be a part of this powerful event, and that's why we developed this fundraising guide to help you offset the cost of attending the Summit. The guide will help you budget for your trip, leverage the power of crowdsourcing, and much more.

Download the Guide

For questions about the 2024 National Lupus Advocacy Summit, please contact Ameenah Habib at habib@lupus.org