Welcome

The mission of the Lupus Foundation of America, Missouri Chapter is to improve the lives of people with lupus through community education, research, and patient support. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, our Chapter provides a variety of services designed to educate patients and the public about lupus. From facts as diverse as information about the disease itself to coping skills to living life with a chronic illness, the Missouri Chapter dedicates itself to serving patients in Missouri and counties in Southwest Illinois.

Be sure to look at Upcoming Events below for the latest news about our events.  We also invite you to visit each page of our website to see a sampling of the services and information available through the Missouri Chapter of the LFA. Use the navigation links at the top and left side of these pages. You may also want to visit our parent organization, The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. 

Upcoming Events:

2nd annual Education Seminar Series

The 2nd annual Education Seminar Series is designed to increase understanding on a variety of issues faced by lupus patient.  These events are free and open to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge on lupus.  Contact the LFA, Missouri Chapter at 800-9LUPUS6 to reserve your seat today!

    South County Session                                                                    North County Session

    'Caring for the Caregiver'                                                                  'Nutrition and Stress Reduction'

    April 19, 2007       7pm to 8:30pm                                                   October 10, 2007               6:30pm to 8pm

    Presented by Dr. Dianne Joyce, this session will                                Presented by Carol Schleff, this session will teach

    help to develop management and coping skills                                   how to thrive with lupus through better nutrition

    for caregivers.                                                                                  and stress reduction.

     St. Louis County Library-Cliff Cave Branch                                     Northwest Healthcare

     5430 Telegraph Rd.                                                                         1225 Graham Rd.

     St. Louis, MO  63129                                                                     St. Louis, MO  63139

    East St. Louis Session                                                                   Belleville, IL Session

    'Medication and Lupus'                                                                     'A Beginner's Guide to Disability Planning'

    May 8, 2007        7pm to 8:30pm                                                     September 18, 2007           7pm to 8:30pm

    Presented by Dr. Anitha Vijayan, this session will                               Presented by Gregory Olpihant, this session will

    teach current treatments and new options that are                               teach about current disability law and ways to

    becoming available.                                                                           plan for your future.

    Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital                                                         Belleville Memorial Hospital

    129 Eighth St.                                                                                   4500 Memorial Dr.

    East St. Louis, IL  62201                                                                  Belleville, IL  62226                                               

Special Announcements:

If you have Lupus, do your qualify for the LIST?

While recent advances in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematous have improved survival for lupus patients, more research needs to be done.  Current treatments remain inadequate as many patients continue to have active end--stage organ involvement.  However, newer therapies are being introduced that may limit these effects and lower the risks of side-effects.  To provide more data on the long-term safety of these therapies, the National Institute of Health in sponsoring the LIST study.  The primary objective of this trial is to compare the safety of high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplant to current available immunosuppressive treatments that are individual for each participant.  The study will enroll 100 participants and will last for 5 years.

To qualify for this trial you must be between 18-60 years old, meet at 4 of the 11 American College of Rheumatology Criteria for SLE, and have presence of severe, steroid refractory disease.  More detailed information about participating in the LIST study is available online at www.LISTstudy.com, or by calling 312-908-0059.

Lupus Awareness Bracelets Available 

                                                                                                                                                  Be one of the first to show your support of the lupus community with a lupus awareness bracelet!  These purple bracelets display the motto 'Someone you Know has Lupus', the Lupus Foundation of America's logo, and a butterfly symbol.  Bracelets are $1.00 a piece if you pick them up at our location, and $1.50 a piece to be shipped.  We will accept Master Card or Visa for orders 25 or over, and cash or check for 24 and under.  Payment must be received in advanced.

Contact the office at 314-432-0008 or 1-800-9LUPUS6 to place your order today!

Support Group Meetings:

The Missouri Lupus Foundation offers support groups throughout St. Louis City and County, Southern Illinois, Central Missouri, and Southeast Missouri.  Our support groups provide a safe and positive environment for lupus patients and their families.  Meetings often include presentations designed to increase understanding of lupus, discussions of various aspects of life with lupus, and coping skills targeted specifically at the physical and emotions challenges faced by lupus patients.  The support groups are free and open to anyone, including family members and friends, and pre-registration is not required.  Click here to learn more about our support groups and the location of meetings.  

                Belleville, IL Support Group                                            Jefferson City Support Group

                May 15, 2007   7pm to 8:30pm                                            May Meeting TBA                                                             Belleville Memorial Hospital                                                 St. Mary's Hospital

                East St. Louis, IL Support Group                                      St. Charles/St. Peters Support Group             

                May 8, 2007   7pm-8:30pm                                                  May Meeting TBA

                Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital                                            Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital

                South County Support Group                                           Poplar Bluff Support Group

                May 17, 2007   7pm-8:30pm                                                May 24, 2007      6pm-7:30pm

                Cliff Cave Library                                                                 Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center

                North County Support Group                                            St. Louis City Support Group                

                May 9, 2007    6:30pm-8pm                                                 May 10, 2007   7pm-8:30pm

                Northwest Healthcare                                                          BJC Clayton Avenue Building                                          

Past Events:

7th annual 'Spring Fling Youth Retreat'

 

The 7th Annual Youth Retreat was held on March 24-March 25 at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Pototsi, MO.   This annual weekend getaway is especially designed for young women, ages 9-19, living with lupus and mixed connective tissue disease.  The theme of this year's camp was 'Spring Fling-Buccaneer Bonanza' and participants enjoyed many adventures on the high seas. To view more pictures and a special message from this year's camp counselors, please click here.

Hazelwood Middle School Fundraisers

A special ‘thank you’ the Peer Ambassadors of Hazelwood Middle School for putting on two fundraisers to benefit for the LFA, Missouri Chapter.  This group was inspired to help after hearing the stories of two mothers of their group who are also lupus patients.  After doing their own research about the disease, this dedicated team of students wanted to support the patient support programs sponsored by the LFA, Missouri Chapter.  During the winter holidays, they held a raffle for a gift card and sent out ‘Cardgrams’ during Valentine’s Day.  These fundraisers combined helped to raise $850.00, the largest ever for the school!   

23rd annual 'Walk for Lupus Now!'

Thanks to everyone for making the

23rd Annual 'Walk for Lupus Now!' a huge success!

 To learn more and view pictures of the 'Walk', click here.

  Be sure to save the date for the 24th annual 'Walk for Lupus Now!'     on Sunday, October 7, 2007!    

The Foundation would like to congratulate the following people and teams for their support of the 23rd annual 'Walk for Lupus Now!':

Top Individual Fundraisers

1st Place:  Jody Stein raised $1,350 and won a gift certificate to The Sidney Street Cafe.

2nd Place:  Morrie Reece raised $1,005 and won a brewery tour and tasting from Schlafly Beer.

3rd Place:  Katie Harris raised $500 and won a Ginger Bay Salon & Spa Group gift certificate.

Most Charitable Team

The 'L' Team which raised over $4,000!

Largest Team

The 'L' Team with 16 walkers!

The 23rd annual 'Walk for Lupus Now!' would not have happened without the generous support of our sponsors.  To learn more about our sponsors, please visit our 'Thank You' page.

Click here to learn more about other great organizations that help support the

Lupus Foundation of America-Missouri Chapter!