LFA Congratulates Dr. Joseph Ahearn for Receiving DoD Grant for Research on Lupus Biomarkers

The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA) congratulates Joseph M. Ahearn, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the Lupus Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh, for being selected to receive a research grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Congressionally Directed Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). The DoD award will fund the Lupus Center of Excellence’s ongoing studies on lupus biomarkers.

Biomarkers are specific biochemicals found in the body which are structured in a way that make them useful for diagnosing a disease, measuring its progress or measuring the effects of treatment. Research on lupus biomarkers is a key area of scientific interest for the LFA.

Dr. Ahearn also is the recipient of a research grant from the LFA for a study on lupus biomarkers, "Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prognosis in Pediatric Lupus." This is the first study in which biomarkers for lupus are being investigated in both adults and children. Dr. Ahearn is one of two lupus investigators to receive grants through the LFA’s newly established Michael Jon Barlin Pediatric Lupus Research Program. The LFA is the only national voluntary health organization with a research program specifically dedicated to studies on lupus in children. Read more about this research initiative and Dr. Ahearn’s research study.

Through its advocacy initiatives that began in 2003, the LFA pioneered efforts to have lupus and lupus biomarkers included as disease areas eligible for research funding through the PRMRP. The LFA made a persuasive case to DoD officials that described the relevance of lupus research to military personnel and their dependents. These efforts have opened a new source of much needed funds to support research on lupus.

Since including lupus and lupus biomarkers among the areas approved for funding, the PRMRP has awarded six grants totaling more than $6 million in new funding to support important studies. Four of the six DoD grants have specifically been awarded for studies on lupus biomarkers.

The development of new biomarkers for lupus could have profound benefits in obtaining U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for new, safe and more tolerable therapies for lupus, not only by providing the sophisticated level of guidance needed so that these agents will work optimally, but also by simultaneously providing objective measurements to demonstrate if the new treatment is working. More targeted therapies, or even better biomarkers to guide existing treatments, will allow physicians to treat lupus while avoiding the sometimes devastating side effects caused by current methods used to control the disease.

Funding for lupus research through the DoD and all other relevant federal agencies has been a long-recognized priority for LFA advocacy efforts. Due to the changing demographics of the military population, there is an ever-increasing prevalence of lupus in military and Veterans Hospital Clinics. The LFA recognized this emerging health issue and worked to have lupus included in the PRMRP to advance research on lupus, which ultimately will help military personnel and their families affected by lupus.

To learn more, visit the DoD’s Congressionally Directed Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program’s Web site at http://cdmrp.army.mil/prmrp/

Learn more about LFA advocacy initiatives or LFA-funded research.

Watch a video interview with Dr. Joseph Ahearn, Director of the Lupus Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh. Below, he discusses his LFA-supported research study, "Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prognosis in Pediatric SLE."

2008 Was a Year of Progress and Hope for a Better Quality of Life for 1.5 Million Americans Affected by Lupus

The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA) is pleased to report continuing progress was achieved in 2008 in efforts to combat lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease which affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide. Teams of researchers announced important findings which provided clues to the underlying genetic origins of lupus, several companies released clinical data on studies of potential new treatments, and Congress reaffirmed its commitment to provide greatly expanded federal support for lupus research and education programs.

Multiple studies provided insight into new ways to manage and treat lupus, and prevent its often-devastating consequences. National media coverage of lupus continued to rise and, and work neared completion on the first-ever Advertising Council national lupus public education campaign, scheduled to launch in early 2009.

Public and Private Support for Lupus Research and Education Grows

The largest sources of funding for lupus research are the federal government and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In 2008, the LFA worked with elected officials and industry leaders to further expand investment in research on lupus, while the Foundation expanded the scope of its own lupus research program.

Congress appropriated millions of dollars in FY 2009 for lupus research and education programs funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Office on Women’s Health, and the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program.

Private funding for lupus research also grew in 2008, as evidenced by the growing number of clinical research studies to test potential new, safe and effective treatments for lupus by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Several companies announced preliminary data from their clinical studies. While some trials did not reach targeted endpoints, data gathered from these studies provide insight into possible new ways to design clinical trials and select patients for studies.

The LFA in 2008 provided another $1.1 million to support its own national research program, “Bringing Down the Barriers.” To date, the LFA and its chapters have provided more than $20 million to support approximately 400 investigators at 100 academic and scientific institutions. The LFA has greatly expanded the scope of its program to support research initiatives in novel pilot approaches, pediatric/adolescent lupus, lupus in males, mid-to-late stage translational research, and studies on the use of adult stem cells in lupus.

Although a number of scientific challenges lay ahead, developments in 2008 brought renewed hope that a better quality of life for people with lupus and their families is possible within the not too distant future.

The LFA has compiled a list of ten important advances in lupus research and education that occurred during 2008. They are as follows:

#1 - Researchers Identify Genes Linked to the Underlying Causes of Lupus

International teams of investigators identified four new genes that are strongly associated with lupus, and ten others that are possible risk factors. A second research team identified regions on two chromosomes that may contribute to individuals being predisposed to lupus. The findings may one day make it possible to identify who may be at risk for lupus and prevent its consequences.

# 2 - Congress Provides Millions of Dollars for Lupus Research and Education

The U.S. Congress provided another $3.1 million to fund lupus epidemiological research through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the National Lupus Patient Registry. Congress also authorized funds to support studies on lupus and lupus biomarkers through the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program. This initiative has provided more than $6 million for lupus research. Additionally, Congress provided funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which provided an estimated $84 million for lupus research in 2008.

#3 - Industry Expands Efforts on Drug Development Providing Hope for Better Quality of Life

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies stepped up efforts in 2008 to develop new treatments for lupus, with several releasing data on clinical studies of potential new treatments. Companies working to develop new therapies for lupus include Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dynavax/GalxoSmithKline, Genelabs Technologies, Genentech/Biogen Idec, Hoffmann-La Roche, Human Genome Sciences/GlaxoSmithKline, La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company/BioMarin, MedImmune/AstraZeneca, Merck Serono, Roche Pharmaceuticals, UCB, Vifor Pharma/Aspreva Pharmaceuticals, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

#4 - LFA Establishes the Michael Jon Barlin Pediatric Research Program to Address Specialized Issues Related to Lupus in Children, and Expands the Scope of its Lupus Research Program

In 2008, the LFA became the only national voluntary health organization with a research program specifically dedicated to studies on lupus in children when it launched the Michael Jon Barlin Pediatric Research Program. The LFA awarded $1.1 million in research grants and fellowships last year to advance the science of lupus by supporting studies in novel pilot approaches, pediatric/adolescent lupus, lupus in males, and mid-to-late stage translational research. Additionally, LFA supported studies on stem cell research, cutaneous (skin) lupus, kidney disease and lupus, and the neuropsychiatric effects of lupus, and awarded five student summer fellowships to foster an interest in the field of lupus research.

#5 - Study Data Provides Evidence of New Benefits for Existing Lupus Treatments

Clinical research data released in 2008 showed that lupus patients treated with hydroxychloroquine, used most often to treat lupus skin and joint problems, were less likely to have kidney disease, had less severe disease, and required lower doses of corticosteroids than patients who did not receive the drug. Another study showed that two therapies, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and intravenous cyclophosphamide (IV CYC) appeared to be safe and effective for treatment of lupus nephritis (LN) in adolescents.

#6 - Studies Provide Hope and Tools for Successful Lupus Pregnancies

Researchers found a relationship between the levels of a protein called sFlt-1 and preeclampsia in pregnant women with lupus, allowing for earlier management and monitoring by specialists in high-risk obstetric care. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and large losses of protein in the urine and is dangerous for both the mother and the baby. Another study found intravenous immunoglobulin infusion (IVIg) to be safe and effective for women with lupus who had consecutive miscarriages.

#7 - Second International Conference on Lupus Flares Addresses Gaps in Clinical Research

More than 80 international scientific thought leaders in lupus continued their work in 2008 to address an important gap impeding lupus drug development and approval during the Second International Conference on Lupus Flares organized by the LFA. Experts discussed modifications to tools used to monitor disease activity and progression. They also worked to finalize a consensus definition of a lupus flare. The number of flares and time to flare can be used as primary endpoints in clinical studies; however, presently there is no accepted definition of a lupus flare.

#8 - LFA Launches Center for Clinical Trials Education (CCTE) to Educate People Interested in Lupus Clinical Studies

The LFA launched the Center for Clinical Trials Education (CCTE) as a resource for people with lupus and their families who are considering participation in a clinical trial. The CCTE website (www.lupus.org/clinicaltrials) serves as a national clearing house of information specific to lupus clinical trials and volunteer participation. The website includes a lupus trial-locating service and provides information about clinical trials in English and Spanish tailored to various populations of people with lupus.

#9 - Lupus Advocates Generate Increased Attention and Resources for Research and Education Programs

More than 300 individuals with lupus, their families, and health professionals from 37 states came to Washington as part of the LFA’s Tenth Annual Advocacy Day and met with 200 Members of the United States Congress and staff members. In 2008, Congress provided support for legislative priorities advocated by the LFA, including expanded funding for lupus research and education programs.

#10 - Public Awareness Initiatives Improve Understanding of Lupus and its Impact on Individuals and Families

The LFA was named the Founding Partner with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH) on the first-ever Advertising Council national lupus public awareness campaign, which is scheduled to launch in early 2009, reach an estimated 100 million U.S. adults, and generate $30-$50 million annually in free media exposure for lupus. Media coverage for lupus in 2008 included a feature on lupus as part of a week-long series about chronic diseases broadcast on NBC Nightly News. ABC News Now, CNN, and Accent Health also produced feature reports on lupus.

Lupus Foundation of America's "Seal of Approval" List

The Lupus Foundation of America Patient Education Committee has reviewed and approved a number publications and other materials for use in educating individuals and families about lupus and its health effects.

The LFA's "Seal of Approval" List (PDF - 16 pages)

Items with code # are available for purchase online through the LFA store or by calling toll-free 1-866-4-THE-LFA (866-484-3532). LFA chapters also offer approved books for sale.

In SLE, Renal Damage Is No. 1 Death Predictor

Preventing renal damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be critical to lowering their mortality rate, according to a new report.

Researchers at the University of Alabama in Birmingham found that the renal domain of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index is the most important predictor of death after adjusting for poverty -- a strong predictor of mortality.

Damage accrual in SLE patients is an independent predictor of mortality, but which of the 12 domains of the SLICC damage index is the most important has been unknown. The investigators studied 635 SLE patients aged 16 years or older. Of these, 570 (89%) were women who had a mean age of 36.5 years. All subjects had disease duration of five years or less at enrollment. Disease activity was assessed by the investigators using the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure-Revised (SLAM-R) at diagnosis and damage at the last visit.

Of the 635 patients, renal damaged developed in 126, cardiovascular damage developed in 63, pulmonary damage developed in 48, and peripheral vascular damage developed in 34. A total of 97 patients died. After adjusting for poverty, the investigators found that renal damage was the most important predictor of death within the damage index.

“We found that the renal domain was even more important that the cardiovascular domain,” said study co-investigator Graciela Alarcón, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine, and a member of the Lupus Foundation of America's Medical-Scientific Advisory Council.

The findings, presented here at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting, should be of particular interest to nephrologists because they highlight the importance of preventing renal damage with agents such as hydroxychloroquine, which originally was used to prevent and treat malaria, Dr. Alarcón said.

“Nephrologists need to realize that although hydroxychloroquine was dismissed in the past, it could actually protect the patient from renal damage, which we have now found is a harbinger of worse things to come,” she said.

Source: January 2009 Issue of Renal And Urology News

Register for LFA's 2009 Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill March 2-3

Come to Washington, DC for the Lupus Foundation of America’s 2009 Advocacy Day March 2-3, 2009

It was 50 years ago that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last approved a drug to specifically treat lupus. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) invites you, your friends, and family members to join with us and lupus advocates from across the country in Washington, DC for the 11th annual Advocacy Day. Together we can change the coming years by advocating for funding that will lead to safer, more tolerable, and effective lupus treatments.

Registration Fee: $35
(includes advocacy materials, select meals, and an event recognition gift)

Register for LFA's Advocacy Day Here:
LFA's 2009 Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill

Event Schedule:
Monday, March 2 -- Meet & Greet and Advocacy Training

• 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - For early arrivers, an informal "Meet and Greet" lunch will be held.
• 1:30-5:00 p.m. - The advocacy training session will review meeting strategies and the LFA’s advocacy priorities.
• 6:30-8:00 p.m. Dinner with featured speaker, Susan Manzi, M.D., MPH, LFA Board & Medical-Scientific Advisory Council Member, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Tuesday, March 3 -- On Capitol Hill

• 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Join the LFA and its chapter representatives, physicians, researchers, and other lupus advocates on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and their staff to inform them about lupus and how they can help advance lupus awareness, research, education, and drug development.

Location:
Washington Plaza Hotel
10 Thomas Circle, NW
Washington, DC

Make Your Hotel Reservation Here:
A block of rooms has been secured by the LFA for $239 (plus taxes) per night. To make a reservation, go to Hotel Reservations for LFA's 2009 Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, and enter the code "lupus" to secure one of the newly renovated rooms.

If you have any questions, contact Sara Chang at chang@lupus.org or by phone at 202-349-1169.

For more information, please visit: http://www.lupus.org/advocacy.

Lupus Now Magazine Wants Your Input / Newly Diagnosed Chat Transcript Posted Online

When you have an unpredictable disease like lupus, it can be comforting to know that vast stores of medical information and people who really get what you’re going through are just a couple of mouse clicks away on the Web.

In the "My View" column in the Summer 2009 issue of Lupus Now, we want to print your answers to this question:

"How will you celebrate 'Happiness Happens Month' in August?"

Email your response to LupusNow@lupus.org. Make sure your answer is 30 words or less. Please include your first name and last name in the email, and write "Happiness Happens Month" in the subject line of your email. We'll print as many of the responses as we can.

Your deadline is April 1!


Lupus Foundation of America's "Newly Diagnosed / Living with Lupus" Chat Transcript Posted Online

Thanks to everyone who attended the "Newly Diagnosed / Living with Lupus" webchat hosted by Dr. Don Thomas on Wednesday. It went really well. A copy of that chat transcript has now been posted online.

And, we hope you will join us for the February 11, 2009 webchat. The topic is "Cardiovascular Health & Lupus," and it's hosted by Dr. Amy H. Kao.

Mark your calendars for that.

Lupus Blog Spotlight: But You Don't Look Sick

I have a lupus blog / website I'd like to share with you. It is called But You Don't Look Sick. It's run by a woman -- Christine -- who lives in New York.

Here's a little bit about Christine.

"Christine spends her time writing, speaking, volunteering, and being a patient advocate. She enjoys spending time with her husband and baby girl. She started the website butyoudontlooksick.com to help others. She is also the creator of 'the Spoon Theory.'"

If you have some time, swing by But You Don't Look Sick and say hi to Christine.

Christine is also the finalist in three contests that end tomorrow. Help Christine represent lupus awareness, and place your vote. Here's how you can.

The People’s Health Blogger Award: 1 vote per email addy
http://www.wellsphere.com/voteBlogger.s?bloggerId=93805

Best Patient Blogger Award: 1 click- easy vote 1 per IP address.
http://medgadget.com/2008bestpatient.html

Are you on Twitter? Vote for Christine as a finalist in health writer for the shortyawards!
http://www.shortyawards.com/user/bydls

That's your lupus scoop for today.

Until next time, Wick

Winter Clearance in LFA's Online Store / New Subscribers -- Get 2 Years of Lupus Now Magazine for Only $30

Shop the Lupus Shop's Clearance Aisle for Great Holiday Bargains

The LFA's online store has extended its Winter Clearance Sale thru January 31, 2009. If you shop now, you can save 50% on cell phone charms, purple ribbon magnets and the "On a Seasonal Note" holiday CD. You can also get a great discount on the book "Loopy Lupus Helps Tell Scott's Story," which was written by Scott and his third-grade class.

Shop our clearance aisle today.


New Subscribers -- Get 2 Years of Lupus Now Magazine for Only $30

The LFA has extended its special for new subscribers to Lupus Now magazine. Act now -- and before January 31, 2009 -- and you can get Lupus Now for 2 years for only $30 -- that's a 40% savings! Follow the link below, and select "2 year (domestic) - 30.00" from the drop-down menu.

Get a new subscription to Lupus Now magazine.

(new domestic subscriptions only)


Reminder: Newly Diagnosed / Living with Lupus Webchat This Afternoon at 3 p.m.
Don't forget ... Dr. Thomas will lead today's Webchat on "Newly Diagnosed / Living with Lupus." Learn more about the chat here.

Guest Blogger Jessica Southern Shares Her Experience On the Rose Parade Float

Morning everyone.

I'm excited to turn blogging duties for today over to Jessica Southern, one of 2 teens with lupus who recently rode on Kaiser Permanente's float -- Propel Your Dreams -- in the 120th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2009.

Enjoy Jessica's story.

Until next time,
Wick


My Rose Parade Experience by Jessica Southern


My story begins when I was diagnosed with lupus. It was such a shock, but I figured God would take care of me. I believe my faith in Christ has a lot to do with how I am dealing with lupus. I have been really lucky with what I can still do. I have had to cut back a lot, like doing things with friends and not staying up as late. I am willing to make those sacrifices to keep healthy.

When I was asked if I wanted to be on the Kaiser Rose Parade float, it was like you want “me” to be on the float. So I said, “Yes” and the fun began to happen. Our first event was a “Family Fun Day” where all the float riders were able to meet each other and the Rose Queen and her Princesses and the families of Kaiser employees. We were give the option to help decorate the float, so my family and one of my best friends, Andie, went to decorate. My brother Joshua, Andie and I decorated a hamster wheel. When I first saw the float, I wanted to be in the hamster wheel. So, even though I rode in the row boat for the parade, I got to decorate the wheel. At the end of the day, I felt like a flower because the strawflowers kept falling on me and stuck in my hair. It was a long but enjoyable process.

New Yearʼs Eve was judging day and it took the judges a long time to get to our float. When it was our turn to be judged, we had to pretend we were on the parade route and not look at the judges. Do you know how hard it is to look at the “crowd” and not look at the judges who were standing directly in front of us? Well, it was hard.

New Yearʼs morning, I was so excited; the big day was finally here and I was going to be in the Rose Parade! The families of the float riders stayed at a hotel so we would be able to meet at 5 a.m. in the lobby for our shuttle to the float. The float riders did a live broadcast on Channel 2 News at 6 in the morning. Most of our parents saw us. Then we waited for the parade to begin. When it all came around we got wristbands for security reasons and boarded the float. I was so excited. My heart felt like it was going to burst. I remember thinking, “this is me, boarding the actual Kaiser float for the Rose Parade!” It was just so cool and unbelievable, plus it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

During the parade route, I saw Taylor and Vanessa (some friends from my Color Guard team). They were just screaming my name and that was probably one of the best moments on the float. I didnʼt see my parents, but they said that they saw me. My Grandma was able to come which was totally awesome. Along the parade route, a few audience members were shouting out to us saying, ”Survivors” or “Fighters” because they believed in us and knew we all had serious medical conditions.

Being on the float was fun, but not all of it was. Sure, you got to do a once in a lifetime experience with people who have some of the same problems as you, and being able to ride on a float in front of a crowd and cameras was unbelievable. The wait to some of the activities was torture and I was just so excited that I wanted it to start. Then when you were on the float for two hours, your butt starts to hurt cause you are sitting on a hard surface and your cheeks start to hurt from all the smiling.

The next few days after the parade I felt like a superstar. I was in the newspaper with a big picture. At church, all my friends saw a clip of me on the float and were so proud. It is nice knowing that so many people care about me.

I know my family loves me and supports me through thick and thin, and lupus is definitely thick, but they have helped me overcome it. My family gives me the strength to carry on.

Join the LFA's Webchat Wednesday, January 14. "Newly Diagnosed / Living with Lupus" will be hosted by Dr. Don Thomas.

Reminder -- the Lupus Foundation of America's Webchat is Wednesday afternoon, January 14, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

The LFA welcomes Dr. Don Thomas, who will serve as the guest expert for the Newly Diagnosed / Living with Lupus webchat.

This is your opportunity to ask questions and learn from a lupus expert. Dr. Thomas is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both rheumatology and internal medicine, and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and an active Fellow Member of the American College of Rheumatology (FACR).

You can submit a question in advance here.

We hope you can join us Wednesday afternoon. To do so, you can log in to the live chat here.

As always, copies of all chat transcripts are posted online within a day or 2 of the chat. Visit here to read the LFA's previous chat transcripts.

Survey Indicates Nearly Half of All Women Fail to Seek Medical Care Due to Health Care Costs

On December 2, 2008, HealthDay reported, "Women are cutting back on health care due to costs, according to a Harris Interactive poll released Tuesday by the National Women's Health Resource Center." The poll revealed that "almost half the women failed to seek medical care in the year before the survey," saying that they cut back on "doctor visits, recommended medical procedures and medication." A breakdown by demographic showed that "58 percent of Hispanic women" reported skipping health care, compared to "43 percent of white women and 42 percent of black women."

Beth Battaglino Cahill, executive director of the center, noted that over "40 percent of the ... women polled said their health had declined in the past year, with most citing stress and weight gain as the cause."

Of those who "had skipped needed medical care," one-fourth "believed their illnesses lasted longer as a result," WebMD added. Still, the poll showed that women were "least likely to put off doctor visits for their children," with only four percent responding that "they had put off taking their children to the doctor because of the cost." The poll included "754 adult women with and without health insurance chosen to reflect the racial and socioeconomic composition of women in the U.S."

The survey also "focused on women's attitudes toward aging," with "four out of five women" responding that "they were emotionally prepared to grow older." Furthermore, data showed that "a slightly lower number felt they had adequate knowledge of issues related to aging."

To read the entire articles, visit HealthDay and WebMD.

LFA Comments: It is important for people with lupus to not put off visits with their doctor because lupus requires close monitoring by a physician, especially for individuals with kidney involvement. Most patients won’t notice problems until significant damage has occurred.

Good Humor: How Laughing Helps Us Cope with Lupus

We’d all love to laugh -- loud and long -- like Mary Poppins’ Uncle Albert. Although lupus is not the most obvious giggle-inducer in the world, if you can find room for some comedy in your life, it’s likely to benefit you -- and your lupus.

Colin Stokol, M.D., a neurologist and psychiatrist at Cedars–Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, is a big fan of humor. "First, there is a feeling of belonging to a community when a patient finds humor with others," he notes. "Second, the action of deep laughter has a physical benefit: When you laugh, you exercise your respiratory muscles, spine, upper body and face. And finally, there is a belief among medical professionals that laughter prompts the body to release endorphins, which are hormones that create a sense of well-being."

People find different ways to get those endorphins going, from playing practical jokes to watching an old "Three Stooges" episode. Wes Daniel of Midwest City, OK, was diagnosed with lupus in 1991. When he was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy, a good chuckle was his frontline defense against the disease.

"My sense of humor is probably what got me through the bad stage," remembers Daniel. "Once when I was going down for a treatment, I got one of the male nurses to give me an IV pump with a dress and two inflated balloons. I drove it up and down the hall of the hospital and called it my girlfriend."

Indeed, humor appears to play a powerful role in coping with chronic illness. "There have been about 20 solid scientific studies showing humor and laughter can increase tolerance to or reduce the feeling of pain in people with cancer and other ailments," says developmental psychologist Paul McGhee, Ph.D., of Wilmington, DE.

In addition to making people happy, humor helps people with lupus face their day-to-day challenges. "A lot of patients are very heroic and maintain a wonderful spirit," notes rheumatologist Gary Gilkeson, M.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. "Having a positive attitude makes all the difference in the world."

Laughing Matters
For the latest tips and resources on health-related humor, visit the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor at http://www.aath.org/.

For more insight from psychologist Paul McGhee, check out http://www.laughterremedy.com/.


Taken from the Summer 2004 issue of Lupus Now magazine

Lupus Blog Spotlight: LuAnne's Life Living with Lupus

I have a lupus blog I'd like to share with you. It is called LuAnne's Life Living with Lupus. It's written by a woman -- LuAnne -- who lives in South Carolina.

Here's a little bit about LuAnne ... in her own words.

"This is just a story about me and my life here in South Carolina. I'm a wife and mother of two young adults who are in their 20s. I am happy despite living with many chronic, sometimes painful and life threatening diseases."

If you have some time, swing by LuAnne's Life Living with Lupus and say hi to LuAnne.

That's your lupus scoop for today. Happy 2009 to everyone!

Until next time, Wick