Lupus Advocacy on the Hill
In 2022, Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus is partnering with the Lupus Research Alliance and the Lupus Foundation of America to advocate for increased funding for lupus research and increased diversity in lupus clinical trials. Find out more below!
Here is what we are advocating for:
- Increase Funding for the Lupus Research Program at the U.S. Department of Defense to $15 Million. Given the high demand for new research alongside the rising numbers of women treated at military health facilities, as well as the link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the development of an autoimmune disease, we request that Congress increase its investment and provide $15 million for the Lupus Research Program in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs operated under the Defense Health Program in the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations Bill.
- Provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with at least $49 Billion. The NIH, by far, does more research on lupus than any other organizaton on the planet, and we want to keep it going!
- Support the DIVERSE Trials Act (H.R 5030 and S. 2706). This would increase diversity in clinical trials and make it easier for underrepresented groups to participate in those trials by reducing barriers to enrollment.
- The Congressional Lupus Caucus. We also ask our Representatives to consider joining the bipartisan Congressional Lupus Caucus and to sign their letter of support for the funding of lupus research.
So far this year ...
In March, Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus met with Senator Jeff Merkley and the staff from the offices of Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Kurt Shrader.
These meeting by Zoom were truly inspiring, and our sincere thanks goes to each legislator and their advisory staff!
A special "thank you" to Searcy Craighead, from our lupus support group, for taking the time to tell her story at these meetings. She brought the realities of living with lupus to the staffers of Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Kurt Schrader with clarity. honesty and passion!
Later this year ...
So how can you help?
Contact your own representative and senators directly and ask them to support lupus programs and research. Click on the following links to find information about the government officials in your area:
State Representatives
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
State Senators
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
When you call, you might talk to a staffer or you may be sent to voicemail to leave your message in support of the three proposals described above:
- Increase Funding for the Lupus Research Program at the U.S. Department of Defense to $15 Million.
- Provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with at Least $49 Billion.
- Cosponsor and Support the DIVERSE Trials Act (H.R. 5030/S. 2706).