Tell me Something Good Thursdays--More Funding for Lupus

For those who don’t know me, my aunt was diagnosed with lupus over 10 years ago. Since learning about her diagnosis, I have kept on top of research developments and news over the years. While browsing the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) site I was happy to discover new developments in research funding.

President Obama, on Tuesday, signed into law the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. With this act and the leadership of Senators Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter, Congress secured a $10.4 billion funding increase for NIH (National Institutes of Health). This is a victory for those who suffer from lupus specifically, and other diseases, the medical community and the scientific community.

This past November marked 50 years since the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved a new drug, specifically for lupus sufferers. In comparison to other diseases, lupus is very unique, both in the lack of FDA-approved treatments, and in the scarcity of research endeavors to identify quality treatments and eventually a cure. With that said, government funding for lupus research is more important than ever.

Personally, I want to thank President Obama and Congress for supporting NIH research, which will help find better treatments and a cure for this life-threatening, debilitating disease.

If any of you out there would like more information about lupus, volunteering, or donating, please visit the LFA site. I appreciate your interest/help.