LFAGW to Offer Free Lupus Symposium on May 16 for Patients and Families

Dupont Circle Event to Focus on Taking Charge and Feeling Better

WASHINGTON, April 23 /PRNewswire/ — The Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington Chapter (LFAGW) will offer the 14th Annual Symposium for Lupus Patients and Families on Sat., May 16 from 9:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1779 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. (Dupont Circle Metro). The free Symposium was created for the 70,000+ Washington area patients with lupus — 90 percent of whom are women. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease with no known cure that can damage any part of the body including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and the brain. Pre-registration is required by e-mail at info@lupusgw.org or 202-349-1167. Details: www.lupusgw.org.

“The May Symposium is one of the many, free support services that we offer to help lupus patients and their families better manage their disease and improve the quality of their lives,” said LFAGW President and CEO Penny Fletcher.

With the theme “Taking Charge and Feeling Better,” the May 16 Symposium will offer a half-day session with workshops on wellness issues (nutrition and exercise); fertility and pregnancy; the long-term effects of lupus and medications; lupus in men; living well with a chronic illness and support sessions for families and men. Cynthia Aranow, M.D., Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in New York will deliver the keynote address titled, “Lupus Research and Clinical Trials.” Ninety percent of people with lupus are women, especially African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women. People wondering if they have lupus symptoms may also check: http://www.couldihavelupus.gov/.

LFAGW’s Free, Ongoing Services

The LFAGW’s free, ongoing services for lupus patients in the greater Washington area include:

• Support Groups: offering education, current medical information and emotional support at hospitals and county libraries in Washington, Maryland and Virginia
• Coping Strategies: through tips and information from LFAGW
• Outreach Services: newly diagnosed patient workshops, lupus lecture series, the annual symposium, the LFAGW newsletter, and volunteer counseling services

For details and more information, go to: http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/gwashington_support.aspx?articleid=907&zoneid=145

About LFAGW

Founded in 1974, the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington (LFAGW) Chapter, Inc. provides free, current information, education programs and outreach services to improve the quality of lives for people with lupus while also supporting research. Toll-free number in D.C., Md., Va. and W.Va.: 1-888-349-1167 or 202-349-1167. Web site: www.lupusgw.org.

SOURCE The Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington