Lupus and Allied Diseases Association

1. The organization supported lupus research to improve methods of diagnosis and treatment by funding a $150,000 grant to the the Lupus Research Alliance to support Noninvasive Imaging of Lupus Nephritis and B Cells in Thrombosis and Fetal Loss. 2. The organization supported pediatric lupus research to study Neuropsychiatric SLE and Genetics to Advance Precision Medicine in the pediatric population by funding a $106,790 grant to the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance. 3. The organization also supported $50,000 to support the Michael Jon Barlin Childhood Pediatric Research Program to improve the quality of life for the pediatric population with lupus at the Lupus Foundation of America. 4. The organization funded the Marc R. Chevrier, MD, PhD, FACR, Lupus Research Memorial Fund at the Rheumatology Research Foundation by supporting a $25,600 preceptorship grant and a separate $30,000 grant to support Innovative Lupus Research. 5. The organization supported lupus research by funding a $200,000 grant to the Masonic Medical Research Institute to provide $50,000 to support a study on Gain-of-function mutations in SHP2 enhance inflammatory macrophage activation in SLE, $50,000 for Cell Activation in Murine Venous Thromboembolism, $50,000 for Delivery of Bifunctional Immunosuppressive Agents to the Renal Endothelium in Lupus Nephritis, and $50,000 for Identification of Novel Genes in Lupus Nephritis Development.

The organization promoted disease awareness by disseminating information at virtual and in person health and wellness events; participating in media interviews, press releases, speaking engagements and press conferences; posting information and resources to websites and through social media, blogs, op-eds, videos, and e-mails; and hosting informational booths in exhibit halls to improve disease awareness to the general public, medical professional community, public officials, the media, researchers, the healthcare industry, and people with lupus and allied diseases and their loved ones.

The organization provided public education and advocated for those impacted by lupus and autoimmune diseases in various states and federally through education meetings, briefings, seminars, forums, public testimony, and written comments. The organization also distributed informational materials, newsletters, and issue briefs; developed poster presentations; and represented the lupus and autoimmune patient perspective at education and advocacy initiatives to improve access to medical care and treatments and advance biomedical research to improve patient quality of life.