Walk for Lupus at Shanghai
I just came back from the 8th International Congress on Lupus in Shanghai, approximately 1,100 researchers, clinicians, scientists, advocates, and pharmaceutical company executives, and nearly 500 people with lupus from around the world attended the Congress, which featured programs for health professionals and separate tracks for members of the public and leaders of international lupus advocacy organizations.
I believe that I should describe the “World Walks for Lupus” event happened on May 25, because I was moved when I saw that individuals in different colors from many continents in the world participated the walk, bring additional awareness and resources for medical research to find the causes and cure for lupus, and for services to help individuals and families who are greatly affected by lupus and its health consequences.
Nearly 300 individuals participated in the “World Walks for Lupus” event at the Shanghai International Convention Center. Representatives from more than two dozen international lupus patient advocacy organizations, as well as a number of the world’s leading lupus medical researchers and clinicians, were among the walkers who carried signs containing pictures of people from around the world who are living with lupus.
“This symbolic walks is being held to bring greater awareness to lupus, which is under-recognized as a global health problem,” said Sandra C. Raymond, President & CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America, which organized the event with the Chinese Medical Society. “Thousands die from health complication of lupus each year. People with lupus – who face possible strokes, heart attacks, disabling pain, disfiguring skin rashes, and other serious health problems – are calling for more research, safer and more effective treatments, and improved healthcare,” said Raymond.
While epidemiological studies on lupus are limited, it is estimated that at least five million people worldwide suffer from the debilitating health effects of lupus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s own healthy tissue causing great pain, disability and in many cases death.
Posted: June 6th, 2007 under Health & Science.
Comments: 2
Comments
Comment from Deborah
Time: June 8, 2007, 2:00 pm
Thank you for attending the conference and high-lighting Lupus and the gathering of minds and hearts to help those of us that live with Lupus daily. Thank you. I am very curious to know if you heard any news and feedback on the extraordinary study findings of a Lupus drug that I personally was a volunteer for this past November. Medimmune Corp. is the company that did Phase I testing, but as of my visit with my Hopkins Dr. yesterday, June 7, 2007, Medimmune had not committed to Phase II. I read there were going to present at the Shanghai conference. It is my understanding that all of the 44 volunteers rec’d. relatively the same results I did. Remission, with no ill effects that could be determined. I hope this news spurs interest in a Phase II committment of time, personnel, and money. I will again volunteer if I’m wanted and needed. It is that important to me to see others that are ill and covered with lesions, much like me prior to my November infusion, to have some relief from what feels like toruture at times as soon as possible. For five years I felt hopeless with no treatment in sight, then came Medi-545 and my life changed in the time it took that infusion to drip into my system. I wish this hope and help for all those that suffer this very mysterious and multi-form disorder.
Comment from lucrgzlkya
Time: July 3, 2007, 10:33 am
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! dhuuuazsux
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