Lupus State Advocacy Day May 6, 2009

The Oklahoma Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America will be raising lupus awareness by lobbying Oklahoma representatives on Lupus State Advocacy Day, Wednesday,May 6th, 2009. The event will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Those speaking on behalf of LFA at a program beginning at noon, 2nd Floor Rotunda, will include State Senator Constance Johnson, Jon Hansen and Miss Lyndzee Vieweg. Senator Johnson will introduce a “May is Lupus Awareness Month” Proclamation in the Senate. The Governors office will be issuing a commendation for the same and State Representative Randy Terrill, a board member of Community Health Charities, will be issuing the Lupus Awareness Month proclamation in the House.

Career firefighter, Jon Hansen, who was at the forefront of the rescue effort at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, will be attending Lupus State Advocacy Day accompanied by his daughter Jill. "I got involved with the foundation after watching Jill suffer with this debilitating disease. I know first hand what goes along with lupus." said Hansen. "My personal involvement is a plea for people to help my daughter and others like her by supporting Advocacy Day on May 6th.” Jon Hansen is on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Lupus Chapter.

The program will also include Lyndzee Vieweg who was recently crowned Miss Teen Oklahoma. Lyndzee, who’s mother has lupus, made Lupus education and awareness her platform during the recent pageant which took place in Stillwater.

“We will have representatives from each LFA Oklahoma support group present at the capitol visiting their senators and representatives,” stated Lea Jensen, LFA, OK Chapter, Executive Director. “Members will be coming from Bartlesville, Holdenville, Midwest City, Oklahoma City, Muskogee, Marlow, Davis, Tulsa, Claremore and Yukon.” We think it's a great opportunity to raise awareness about this little known disease."

Lupus is a disease for which there is currently no cure. It is difficult to diagnose, and the cause is unknown. When a person has lupus, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue and organs. In some cases, the patient experiences only occasional symptoms and mild discomfort. In other cases, the symptoms are life-threatening. Approximately 1.4 million Americans 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.

“We will be visiting with our senators and state representatives to make sure they are aware of the need for more lupus research and patient support. We’ll let them know that no new drug has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of lupus in over 50 years.” stated Jensen.

In the spirit of a previously held and successful "Loop Lupus Around The Capitol" day, a free hula hoop will be given to everyone who attends. “Reaching out to our representatives on May 6th might be the most important thing we can do to help people with lupus.” said Jensen.

Official Website: http://www.oklupus.com