The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter is inviting busy holiday shoppers to eat at Uno’s Chicago Grill from November 25 to December 2 to raise money to support the non-profit organization. Uno's in Merillville, located at 2385 South Lake Mall Drive, will donate 20% of dine in and carry-out orders to the LFA when customers submit a designated coupon. The coupon can be found on www.lupusindiana.org in the “programs & events” section of the web site. Coupons are also available at the Chapter office, located at 2642 Eleanor Street in Portage. E-mail info@lupusindiana.org for a copy of the coupon.
Approximately 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus. Based on 2006 census information, it is estimated that 34,187 of Indiana’s residents have lupus; including 2,671 residents in Lake County, 865 residents in Porter County and 597 residents in LaPorte County.
More than 5 million people worldwide struggle with the health consequences of lupus. Inflammation is considered the primary feature of lupus. Lupus is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease capable of damaging virtually any part of the body, including the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. In its most severe form, lupus can cause disfiguring rashes and scarring, multiple miscarriages, kidney, heart and lung failure, impaired neurological function, strokes, heart attacks and death.
Despite its enormous public health implications, lupus remains a dangerously under-recognized and under-appreciated health issue. More than half of all people with lupus suffer four or more years and visit three or more doctors before being diagnosed with lupus. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases. There is an urgent need to educate patients and health care providers to achieve earlier and more accurate diagnoses. Improved management of lupus will reduce and prevent its adverse effects, particularly among those communities most severely affected.
Nine out of ten people with lupus are women. Eighty percent of new lupus cases are diagnosed among women ages 15 to 44.
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus. Research, education, and patient services are at the heart of LFA's programs. The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter provides awareness and education for the signs and symptoms of lupus for early diagnosis and treatment. Volunteers from the chapter facilitate support group meetings in Lake and Porter Counties as well as Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Richmond and Evansville. Support group meetings are free and provide lupus education as well as peer support.
The chapter office, which serves the entire state, is located at 2642 Eleanor Street in Portage. For more information about the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter, call 800-948-8806 toll free or log on to www.lupusindiana.org.