Providing Answers, Support and Hope in the Northeast
Northeast Advocates Visit Capitol Hill
On March 4 and 5, advocates from across the United States convened in Washington DC for the Lupus Foundation of America's Advocacy Summit. More than 25 Northeast region volunteers joined this important meeting to learn about innovation in lupus research and the importance of lupus funding to advance the fight against this cruel disease.
The advocates, comprised of lupus warriors and their loved ones, spent a day on Capitol Hill meeting with their elected officials to convey the impact of lupus. While these dedicated volunteers shared their personal stories, they were a voice for all those living with lupus in the Northeast. They shared the common issue of late diagnosis, the unpredictable nature of the disease, the physical toll, and the everyday struggles of parenting, working, relationships, and coping with pain.
Most important, the advocates asked for additional funding for lupus research and education programs. These critical initiatives will encourage participation in clinical trials, fund the national lupus registry, and invest in ground-breaking research to develop the arsenal of new treatments that are so badly needed.
The efforts of the 2018 summit assisted in securing $19 million in federal funding of lupus programs, demonstrating the importance of these grassroots efforts. Our work is not done. You can help by signing up to become a lupus advocate. Together, we will end lupus.