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About Our Organization
LUPUS: THE DISEASE
Lupus is a chronic, potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease that can cause damage to virtually any organ in the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.
Throughout the country, there are nearly two million people living with lupus (65,000 in Illinois alone).
More than half of the people with lupus suffer four or more years and visit three or more doctors before receiving a correct diagnosis.
Late diagnosis and delayed treatment contribute to significant tissue damage leading to organ failure, disability, and death.
Based on a nationwide poll in April, 2005, two out of three Americans know little to nothing about lupus.
Although lupus can occur at any age, and in either sex, it is a disease that discriminates: 90% of people diagnosed with lupus are women in the prime of their lives. Lupus is also more prevalent in African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asians.
LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA,
ILLINOIS CHAPTER
The Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter (LFAI), formed in 1973, is the Midwest's leading non-profit health organization dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus. The National organization has nearly 300 chapters and support groups in 32 states.
The mission of The Lupus Foundation of America is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, support individuals and families affected by the disease, increase awareness of lupus among health professionals and the public, and find the causes and cure.
The Lupus Foundation of America energetically pursues its mission with five program objectives designed to:
- Heighten public awareness of the causes and consequences of lupus.
- Support individuals with lupus, their families and caregivers.
- Provide direct financial support to researchers.
- Advocate increased public and private sector support for biomedical research on lupus.
- Translate research findings into medically-sound information and programs for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
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