Dear Friends,

Lupus Awareness Month officially starts today, and with a growing coalition of people like you passionately working together for a world without lupus, never has there been a time for more hope and opportunities for your involvement.

Our theme for the month – “Striving for a World Free of Lupus” – aims to raise awareness of lupus and the impact of research. Tremendous strides are well underway, but much work remains to be done to deliver urgently needed individualized treatment options and ultimately, one day a cure. Through scientific innovation and collaboration, we can accelerate progress and achieve meaningful impact.

While the world’s attention is focused on lupus this month, you can help inspire, educate, and engage people in making a difference. Here are a few ways you can add your voice to intensify the message as we spotlight lupus and research progress throughout Lupus Awareness Month.

Get Into Gear and Support Lupus Research 
Ali VanderLoop, who has lupus, and her husband Ty Majeski, 2024 NASCAR Truck Series Champion, are teaming up with ThorSport Racing and the LRA to launch a month-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness and funds for lupus research. We are excited to push the Accelerating Lupus Research campaign into full gear at the NASCAR Truck Series race tomorrow in Texas. Ty Majeski will wear LRA custom-designed race shoes throughout Lupus Awareness Month. The shoes will be auctioned later in May with proceeds going to the LRA. Learn more about the campaign, Ali’s story, and ways to get involved.

Make Your Voice Heard
We will provide many opportunities throughout the month to advance the lupus cause – for you all to participate, educate, support and advocate. We encourage you to use our new Lupus Awareness Month Social Media Community Toolkit with easy, ready-to-use content to educate about the disease among your followers.

Learn More About Emerging Therapies
Lupus Therapeutics (LT), the clinical affiliate of the LRA, invites you to attend a live webinar today about an emerging and promising cell therapy for lupus called T cell engagers. LT is also hosting a virtual educational summit on advancing cell therapies that brings together rheumatologists and hematologists/oncologists.

Advocate for Lupus Research
With U.S. federal funding for medical research in question, the LRA is amplifying our advocacy efforts. Among a number of initiatives, we are hosting a Congressional briefing at the U.S. Capitol on May 14 to underscore the need for increased investments specifically in lupus research to fuel advancements needed to improve care. To learn more about the steps we are taking, and ways you can advocate, please visit our newly updated website for more details.

Participate in Fundraising Events
We invite everyone to join thousands of dedicated members of our national lupus community at these two fundraising events this season.

• NJ Walk with Us to Cure Lupus at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, May 17, East Rutherford
• Northern Michigan Walk with Us to Cure Lupus at Mineral Springs Park on Saturday, June 14, Frankfort

To make the world sit up and pay attention to lupus, we need the involvement of the entire community. You are the reason why we are dedicated to this cause and the reason behind our success. Your ongoing support is changing lives. Together, we can achieve a world free of lupus!

With much appreciation,

Albert T. Roy
President & CEO, LRA