September 14, 2018

Congratulations are in order for lupus advocacy!  The two budget requests Lupus Research Alliance advocates worked so hard for to fund lupus research were included in the budget appropriations bill released last night by Congress. Last week, the Lupus Research Alliance wrote to the legislators working on final language to request that the $5 million for the Department of Defense Lupus Research Program be included in the final bill and to remind them of the need for this additional lupus research. This funding, as requested, was included in the bill. Additionally, the $2 billion increase to the National Institutes of Health for medical research the Lupus Research Alliance requested was also included. Final votes by the House and Senate are expected in the coming weeks.

This commitment to medical research and recognition of the need for lupus research in particular is due to the continued advocacy of the national lupus community and the dedicated Members of Congress who understand the need for lupus research. We thank all the advocates who came with us on Hill Day in March to share their story with their Senators and Representatives about why new treatments and a cure are so desperately needed for people with lupus.  And thanks to those of you who used our Legislative Action Center to amplify this call to action with pleas via email, social media posts and phone calls.

We are very close to a 2019 budget that will provide opportunities for scientists to pursue their most innovative theories and to allow lupus research to continue advancing toward better treatments and a cure.