Submitted by Jane L., Lupus Foundation of PA, Erie Branch
October is National Lupus Awareness Month, so Erie Sprout decided to highlight The Erie Branch of the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, a local organization leading the battle against this public health issue.
Lupus is one of America's least recognized major diseases. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans- 90% of whom are women. The Lupus Research Institute or LRI and its national network of patient advocates believe it's time to alert American women to the risks and dangers of Lupus!
Lupus is the common name for the disorder known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE which causes the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy tissue and organs. This disease is more prevalent than sickle cell anemia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis COMBINED. This daunting disease can start with something as simple as a fever, fatigue or even joint pain, but can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure or may even be fatal. This hard hitting disorder can take years to diagnose while it masquerades as many other diseases with its “off again, on again” attack of the body. The body is at war with itself yet most lupus patients look perfectly healthy and may have difficulty convincing others of how ill they really are. Early diagnosis and proper treatment by a rheumatologist are critical in allowing patients to live and function while adjusting to a chronic illness.
The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania is a non-profit health organization dedicated to promoting awareness, education, services and research for those affected by lupus. The Foundation, working in partnership with the Lupus Research Institute, supports research to find treatments and a cure for lupus. In service since 1975, the Foundation also provides comprehensive patient services, including support groups, education and awareness activities. The Erie Lupus Support group meets the 4th Thursday of each month at Saint Vincents Health Center in the OR Conference Room from 6-7:30pm. All lupus patients as well as their family and friends are welcome to attend this meeting. For current information about lupus or to learn how you can help, contact Jane Lippincott, RN in the Erie Branch by calling 866-292-1472 or on line at erieinfo@lupuspa.org.
We believe that together we CAN change the lives of those with lupus.
Upcoming Event
The Education Program is: "Solving the Puzzle of Systematic Lupus Erythematosis"
Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011
Time: 9:00 am - 2:45 pm
Location: Doubletree Pittsburgh/Monroeville, 101 Mall Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146
Registration fee: $20, includes lunch, all sessions and materials
Dr. Mary Chester Wasko, Rheumatologist with the West Penn Allegheny Health System at the Lupus Center for Excellence and former Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of PGH will present," Lupus: The Clinical Picture."
Dr. Amy Kao, Director of Biomedical Informatics for the Lupus Center of Excellence at the West Penn Allegheny Health System and a former Assistant Professor at the University of PGH will speak about "Management of Lupus."
Jane Brandenstein, PT is a Physical Therapy graduate of University of PGH who has spent her career with a special interest in rheumatology will speak on "The Puzzle of Physical Activity and Lupus."
For more information on the Erie Branch of the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, please contact Jane Lippincott, RN at 866-292-1472 or erieinfo@lupuspa.org.
