Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter, Inc.

DC/MD/VA's leading organization dedicated to supporting and educating the 80,000 residents and their families who are living with lupus and increasing awareness of lupus among the public. Toll-free 888-349-1167.

Why do we exist?

We are dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support and services to all people affected by lupus.  We provide free services to the 80,000 people in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Central and Northern Virginia who are living with lupus. We offer current information, education programs, support groups, and personalized help with the questions that arise for those living with lupus and their family and friends.  We also support research and promote lupus awareness. 

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects women nine times more frequently than men.  Individuals of color are 2 to 3 times more likely to have lupus than Caucasians. Frustratingly, these populations are more likely to have lower incomes and often do not have insurance. The morbidity rate for lupus patients in low income populations is 3 times higher than the normal population according to the National Institutes of Health.

What have you accomplished?

Due to the nature of the disease, lupus patients see multiple doctors, and sometimes undergo expensive treatments in order to maintain their quality of life. Our innovative and pioneering Patient Navigation Program seeks to assist lupus patients in navigating our complex healthcare system by locating the best doctors, from Rheumatologists, dermatologists, cardiologists and others; in addition, the navigator provides one-on-one help in locating both the printed and human resources needed for patients to educate themselves and those around them about a disease most people have never heard of, and few understand. This program is the first of its kind for a lupus organization which builds on the successes of patient navigation seen in breast cancer and other cancer fields.  This new and exciting program directly answers the challenge of the Center for Disease Control’s statement that the best lupus programs must meet the needs of the lupus patient one patient at a time.

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