Your Hard Work is Working for Lupus Research

Millions in funding specifically for lupus research – championed throughout the year by the Lupus Research Alliance and lupus advocates nationwide — were allocated in the budget passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee!

The appropriations bill provides an additional $5 million for the lupus medical research program at the Department of Defense (DoD), bringing the total to $10 million over two years.

DoD data show that women – the primary population affected by lupus – now make up a much greater share of our armed forces and veterans than ever before. Lupus also disproportionately targets women of color; a recent report found that the active-duty female force is racially diverse.

On behalf of the lupus community, we thank the Congressional Lupus Caucus led by Co-chairs Representatives Tom Rooney (R-FL), William Keating (D-MA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). These leaders have listened, heard and responded strongly to the powerful stories shared by Lupus Research Alliance advocates who travelled to Washington from around the country to meet with their legislators. We also thank the House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and Defense Subcommittee Chair Kay Granger (R-TX) for their commitment to lupus research.

Clearly, our united voices have been heard! We will alert you all when it’s the most effective time to raise them again to your U.S. Senators as similar legislation is considered by the Senate.

Meanwhile, thank you for working together to ensure that lupus research gets the attention and the funding necessary to deliver the new treatments and a cure so urgently needed.