Who We Are and What We Do
WHO WE ARE: The Lupus Foundation of America, Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter, Inc. is a federally registered charitable organization (EIN: 23-7080555) and a chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). The LFA is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus. We provide direct services to the state of Delaware, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, North Hampton and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, and Cape May counties in New Jersey. Peer-counseling and support, information and referral and educational materials may be obtained anywhere in the state by calling our toll-free (PA, NJ & DE) number at 866-517-5070.
WHAT WE DO:
- Raise funds to support local research annually as well as national research efforts
- Provide multiple support groups throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware
- Plan and sponsor educational seminars for people with lupus and their families
- Sponsor workshops for those newly diagnosed
- Provide information in navigating the health system
- Engage in a sustained and comprehensive advocacy program at the national and state levels, aimed at increasing public funding for lupus research, education and patient services and fostering public policies that help people with lupus and their families
- Sponsor awareness and educational campaigns through the media
- Outreach to medically underserved communities
- Provide awareness and continuing medical education offerings for physicians and allied health professionals
HOW WE DO IT:
- Individual giving via our Annual Fund/Membership Campaign
- Solicitation and grant applications to companies, corporations and public and private foundations and government agencies for support of various programs and events
- Plan and implement special events
- Lupus Loop, 5K run and 2 Mile walk – held on the last Sunday of October
- Annual Bridge Tournament for Lupus – held in October
- Lupus Links Golf Tournament – held third Monday of July
- Movie Mania (minimum of 6 movie screenings throughout the year)
- We also assist individuals who wish to hold their own events
- Walk for Lupus Now in Delaware in July and in South Jersey in September.
WHAT IS LUPUS?
- A chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s cells fight themselves causing inflammation that can affect any organ of the body, such as the skin, joints, heart, blood, kidneys, brain and central nervous system
- Affects between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 Americans and an estimated 66,400 Pennsylvanians (over 40,000 in the Tri-State Region). Lupus strikes one in 185 Americans, with frequency 10-15% higher in adult woman than men and has an even higher prevalence among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans.
- No known cure, and no new treatments in nearly 40 years
- Difficult to diagnose because symptoms are so like other illnesses
- Can be mild to life-threatening
The official registration and financial information of the Lupus Foundation of America, Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter, Inc. may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll-free, within PA, 1-800-732-0999 Registration does not imply endorsement. Information filed with the Attorney General concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 973-504-6215. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement.
For questions call the Lupus Foundation of America at 215-517-5070.
