Update on the 2022 National Lupus Advocacy Summit
Since last year, the Lupus Foundation of America has been excitedly preparing to host the 2022 National Lupus Advocacy Summit, while continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic as well as security changes on Capitol Hill.
There is nothing more important to us at the Foundation than the health and well-being of our community. With that in mind, we have made the tough decision to once again transition the Summit to an entirely digital event open to all lupus advocates.
There are two significant factors that have led us to this decision. First, COVID-19 continues to affect Americans and despite the many prevention protocols we would have had in place at the Summit, we believe that an indoor event of its size could carry risk for people living with lupus.
Additionally, significant security changes have been implemented on Capitol Hill over the past year which would make it more difficult to hold our traditional meetings with members of Congress. Those changes, likely to be in place through the end of the year, include the closure of cafeterias and waiting areas in the congressional office buildings, requirements for congressional staff escorts when moving around the buildings, and limits on the number of people able to attend meetings. Moreover, many congressional offices continue to take all meetings virtually and are not accepting in-person meetings.
2022 Digital Lupus Advocacy Summit: June 27-29, 2022
Fortunately, lupus advocates proved in 2020 and 2021 that they can make an enormous impact on Capitol Hill through an entirely digital event - and we’re excited to do it again! The 2022 Digital Lupus Advocacy Summit will take place from June 27-29 and will include all of the things you’ve come to expect from the Digital Summit - important research updates, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and most importantly, advocacy!
Registration for the 2022 Summit will open on Thursday, April 21. We’re looking forward to hosting another successful Digital Summit this year and hope that you’ll join us!