Equitable Funding and Awareness for Lupus Research

WHEREAS, Lupus is a chronic disease where the immune system attacks the body's own cells affecting any and all systems in the body including muscles, bones, joints, kidneys, heart, brain, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and skin; and

WHEREAS, Lupus has no cure and affects more people than HIV/AIDS, Sickle Cell Anemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Cystic Fibrosis and Cerebral Palsy combined. It is estimated that between 1,400,000 and 2,000,000 people are reported to have Lupus; and

WHEREAS, one out of every two hundred and fifty (250) African-American women have Lupus, and sixty percent (60%) of all Lupus patients are African-American; and

WHEREAS, Lupus occurs in children and adults, either sex, although it occurs more frequently in adult females than males. People of African-American, Native American, Hispanic and Asian origin are thought to develop Lupus more frequently than Caucasians; and

WHEREAS, it has been speculated that research funding for this disease has been limited because its victims are primarily women and people of color; and

WHEREAS, people of color develop Lupus at an earlier age and die more often from this disease.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the local NAACP branches in collaborate with community lupus foundation chapters to coordinate awareness and fundraising programs for Lupus research and outreach programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NAACP monitor the fair and equitable funds appropriated for the research and treatment of this disease which kills our children of an earlier age.