Lupus State Advocacy Day 2011 May 4, 2011

What: 2011 Lupus State Advocacy Day
Who: Lupus Foundation of America, Oklahoma Chapter and the Public
Where: Oklahoma State Capitol - 4th Floor Rotunda
When: Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 10:30 am

OKLAHOMA CITY - Because May is Lupus Awareness Month, The Lupus Foundation of America Oklahoma Chapter will be raising lupus awareness by lobbying Oklahoma Representatives on Lupus State Advocacy Day, Wednesday, May 4, 2011. The event will begin with a program starting at 10:30 am at the Oklahoma State Capitol 4th floor rotunda.

Speakers will include State Senator Constance Johnson, State Representative Joe Dorman , State Representative Anastasia Pittman and members of The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) including Kathy Moser, PhD, Principal Investigator for the Lupus Family Registry & Repository, Dr. Astrid Rasmussen, Lupus Family Registry and Repository Assistant Director; and Joe Rawdon, RN, OMRF Clinical Nurse Specialist.

“The approval of Benlysta is the most exciting news that the lupus community has seen. The enthusiasm and optimism about the drug has helped bring the lack of approved medication, funding and disease knowledge to the public’s eye. State Advocacy Day is the perfect opportunity to continue diminishing the disparity. However, people must know that Benlysta’s approval is not a medal for winning the race, but it is a light of hope on the journey," stated Rawdon.

Located in Oklahoma City, OMRF's largest research program is dedicated to the study and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. Their work led the National Institutes of Health to establish the Lupus Family Registry and Repository at OMRF. The LFRR is a research resource that scientists worldwide can use in their own lupus research.

Members from the twelve LFA Oklahoma support groups will be visiting their state legislators to make sure they are aware of the need for more lupus research funding and patient support. Support groups are located in Ardmore, Bartlesville, Chickasha, Claremore, Davis, Edmond, Holdenville, Lawton, Marlow, Oklahoma City, Ponca City, Tahlequah, Tulsa and Weatherford.

Senator Johnson will present the “May is Lupus Awareness Month” Proclamation in the Senate Chamber. The Governors office will be issuing a commendation for the same and State Representative Joe Dorman will be issuing the Lupus Awareness Month proclamation in the House.

The Lupus Foundation of America, Oklahoma Chapter is Oklahoma's only non-profit health organization dedicated to finding the causes and cure for Lupus through research, education and training, public awareness and patient support. LFA-OK will refer over 1000 people a year to the proper medical treatment needed for lupus.

Approximately 1.6 million Americans, including over 25,000 Oklahomans, have lupus and of those, 90 percent are women. Lupus usually strikes women between 15 and 45 and is two-to-three times more common among black women. Hispanics, Asians and Indians also have a higher incidence of lupus.

“Reaching out to our representatives on May 4th might be the most important thing we can do to help people with lupus.” said Lea Jensen, Executive Director, LFA-OK Chapter.

For more information about Lupus State Advocacy Day or the Lupus Foundation of America Oklahoma Chapter please call 405-427-8787 or go to www.oklupus.com.