Lupus Foundation Of America Georgia Chapter Inc

Programs: As the only statewide valuable resource for the 55,000 georgians with lupus, the georgia chapter provides thousands with free, valuable educational information, physician referrals, resources, support groups and educational programs reaching patients in 120 of the 159 counties in georgia. Ninety percent of every dollar donated stays in georgia to support our programs. The chapter also supports the national research efforts of the lupus foundation of america, working to advance the science and medicine of lupus to bring down the barriers that have impeded progress in lupus research. Despite its prevalence, lupus remains one of the least recognizable and most misunderstood diseases in both the medical and lay communities. There is no known cause, no cure, and the incidence has increased hugely in the past 20 years. Current treatments are often very toxic, the side effects often rivaling the symptoms of the disease. We reach out to our lupus constituents and their families with our year round chapter programs and events and in a variety of ways, from direct mail to online emails blasts, website updates and information placement in doctors' offices: "over 60,000 visitors to our website in this past year "over 2900 inquiries and chapter responses from patients and families for information, resources and referrals "more than 6700 facebook fans and 1070 people following us on twitter "more than 50,000 constituents in our database, from 1000 in 2006 "more than 23,000 constituents in our email database, from 1500 in 2007 "10,000 chapter magazines mailed to our constituents "in the past year, more than 950 people attended our symposiums and seminars in 8 major markets across the state "our support groups have had an attendance of at least 3000 in more than 30 communities "more than 400 people have registered for our teleconference services with an additional 3200 hits to our website for the taped recordings and information "newly designed what is lupus? Brochures already distributed in doctors' offices across georgia, with an additional 30,000 redesigned brochures being distributed in the upcoming months "14,000 walkers and families were inspired and empowered at the 2015 walk to end lupus now, the largest lfa walk in the nation "over 300 guests at our 2015 night of hope gala, 100 golfers at our drive for lupus now golf event. Our key accomplishments this year include: "education: the georgia lupus summit, held at the renaissance waverly hotel, with over 300 attendees and twelve breakout sessions, was presented simultaneously in english and spanish. "patient resources: we held our second support group retreat to train 38 support group facilitators as professional activists in communities across georgia. "advocacy: the georgia chapter worked with senator renee unterman and representative sharon cooper to advocate for the passing of sb 352 creating the georgia council on lupus education and awareness. This council will assess and quantify lupus education and advocacy efforts for the next three years "emergency financial assistance: the georgia chapter distributed funds to help more than 75 people living with lupus who were in financial crisis. The chapter paid utility bills, co-payments for doctor visits, rent and much all the while counselling our constituents to help them find sustainable resources.