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Participate in Research

Your experience with lupus is important to advancing research.

For treatments to effectively address the health needs of people with lupus, participation in patient-powered registries like RAY® (Research Accelerated by You), clinical trials and other research opportunities, is crucial.

Lupus is a complex, debilitating disease. No two people with lupus experience it the same way, and it can take months - or even years - to diagnose and find the right combination of treatment options.

Every breakthrough in the understanding of lupus - its causes, its effects on the body, the development of new drugs and treatments - is based on research. And lupus research moves forward when the voices of people with lupus are at the center.

The idea of participating in research may seem difficult or even scary, but there are many different ways to help advance lupus research. Check out the options below to learn more about joining a lupus registry like RAY® (Research Accelerated by You), enrolling in clinical trials and participating in academic research studies.

RAY Lupus Registry

Research Accelerated by You (RAY®) is the Lupus Foundation of America’s online lupus registry where you can share your unique experiences living with lupus to help accelerate the development of treatments for people living with lupus just like you.

Learn More About RAY® Lupus Registry
Carebox Clinical Trial Finder

The Lupus Foundation of America's Lupus Clinical Trial Finder powered by Carebox Connect provides patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals an easy way to match to lupus clinical trials. Learn more about featured clinical trials and search trials that match your diagnosis and treatment history.

Learn More About Lupus Clinical Trials
A male patient and female doctor walk through the hallway of a medical facility. The doctor is holding a clipboard. They are both smiling.

Explore lupus research opportunities led by academic researchers. These studies are funded by the NIH, CDC, and academic centers and are approved by an ethics review committee known as an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Find a study that may be right for you.

Learn More about Academic Research Studies

Have questions?

Choosing to participate in a clinical trial or study is an important personal decision - talk with your doctor and loved ones about deciding to join a study. The Lupus Foundation of America's health education specialists are also available to answer non-medical questions and provide caring support to people with lupus, their families and care partners. 

For Academic or Clinical Researchers

Interested in sharing your study information? E-mail RAYcoordinator@lupus.org with the subject line "Academic Lupus Research Studies Posting Request." Allow 1-2 weeks for processing, approval, and posting.

For Industry Researchers

Interested in exploring how RAY® can support your study? Contact RAYcoordinator@lupus.org to learn more about collaboration opportunities. 

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