Lupus Advocates Urge Increased Funding for Lupus Research and Education

WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, March 11, more
than 300 individuals with lupus, their families, and health professionals
urged Members of Congress to increase government funding for lupus medical
research and enact legislation that will greatly expand federal efforts on
lupus. The advocates, representing 37 states, participated in the Tenth
Annual Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.
Advocates urged lawmakers to increase funding for biomedical research
supported by the National Institutes of Health and epidemiological research
sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also urged
Members of Congress to enact the Lupus REACH (Research, Education, Awareness,
Communications and Healthcare) Amendments Act (H.R. 1192 and S. 1359).
United States Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Robert Bennett (R-UT), who
introduced the Lupus REACH Amendments Act in the Senate, received the
Distinguished Lupus Leadership Award for sponsoring the legislation which will
further federal efforts to combat lupus, address gaps in research, and
heighten awareness of lupus symptoms and health effects among the public and
health professionals.
Advocates met with approximately 200 Senators, Representatives and
congressional staff members to educate policy makers on lupus and its impact
on individuals and families. The advocates were joined by thousands of lupus
eAdvocates across the nation who also participated in LFA Advocacy Day by
sending email messages or placing phone calls to the offices of their United
States Senators and U.S. Representative.
About Lupus
More than 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus, an unbalanced immune
system that can be destructive to any major organ or tissue in the body.
Lupus can be very unpredictable and is potentially fatal, yet no satisfactory
treatment or cure exists. It has been nearly 50 years since the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration approved a new therapy for lupus.
About the Lupus Foundation of America
The LFA is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization
dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus, and providing support,
services and hope to all people affected by lupus. Founded in 1977, the LFA
has a nationwide network of nearly 300 chapters and support groups and
operates programs of research, education and advocacy.
SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America

Duane Peters of Lupus Foundation of America, +1-202-349-1145,
peters@lupus.org