He joins the Lupus Alliance of America LI/Q Affiliate along with the Lupus Agencies of N.Y. State in their efforts to increase public awareness of lupus symptoms, and to increase support for lupus education and research programs. Christine Miserandino-Donato along with others from of the Alliance of LIQ will be attending the 1st Annual Lupus Awareness Day on Tuesday May 5th at the State’s Capitol to call public attention to lupus—a disease that affects an over 2 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide. A special presentation of the NYS Legislative Resolution Declaring May 2009 as Lupus Awareness Month in New York State with comments from Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, the Prime Assembly Sponsor and Senator Joseph Griffo, the Prime Senate Sponsor of the Lupus Resolution and other Legislative Champions for Lupus Awareness will also take place.

The Lupus Alliance of America LIQ Affiliate is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with lupus and their loved ones by providing education, support and outreach services, and promoting programs of awareness, advocacy, and research. Kathleen A. Arntsen, spokesperson for the Lupus Agencies of N.Y. State stated, “We applaud Governor Paterson and our strong legislative champions who sponsored and passed this important resolution for the First Lupus Awareness Month in N.Y. State. We are excited that this devastating disease is finally getting the recognition it deserves.”
Lupus research is under-funded in comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity. Current treatments for lupus are not adequate; many are toxic and cause detrimental side effects. There has not been a new drug developed and approved for lupus in over 50 years. Currently there are only 3 drugs approved for lupus; the majority of treatments are considered off-label and no single test exists to identify lupus, resulting in many patients suffering more serious complications before a diagnosis is reached. Not only is the public knowledge of lupus lacking, but even health professionals can be unaware of the symptoms and effects of lupus, resulting in delayed diagnosis; demonstrating the urgent need for increased public and professional awareness of the symptoms of lupus.
The purpose of the Lupus Awareness Day is to help educate New York State’s elected policymakers, state agency officials, health care professionals, and the general public about the disease lupus and the need for research program support to develop better diagnostic tests and safer, more effective treatments; and ultimately, discover the cure to eradicate this devastating disease. For more information about lupus, or Lupus Awareness Day please call The Lupus Alliance of America LIQ at 516-783-3370 or 1-800-850-9000.
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