- support for those living with lupus, 
- education for medical practitioners as well as the newly diagnosed, and 
- raising awareness to lift the profile of lupus within the community. 

Read further about case studies and the programmes that have helped these lupus patients.

Cassandra is a single mum living on a disability pension because her lupus incapacitates her in the workplace. She suffers from extreme fatigue and joint pain and has already had a hip replacement because of the side effects of medication. Her medical bill to fight these symptoms alone is hundreds of dollars a month. She finds it difficult to create and maintain social networks because of the debilitating effects lupus has, even on day to day activities, that you and I take for granted. Cassandra relies on the Lupus Association and its support groups to maintain some social network, however she battles with isolation, which is the primary cause of depression in lupus sufferers, every day. The Lupus Association is also there to look after her well being, referring her to other agencies where the Association is unable to help.

Susan’s daughter was diagnosed when she was 16 and was in a coma for 3 days and then in home care for 6 months while she was being treated with chemotherapy. Susan sat at her daughter’s bedside unable to work as she cared for her critically ill daughter. This put an enormous strain on the family, both in terms of finances and in terms of relationships. The Lupus Association visits patients and hospitals and counsels those newly diagnosed with lupus and related connective tissue diseases on coping with a chronic illness with no cure. Susan keeps in touch with the latest progress in treatment and research through the Association.

Beverly is a dentist who is living with lupus and was there when her doctor misdiagnosed her daughter, who has since been correctly diagnosed with lupus. Knowing that the earlier lupus is diagnosed and treated, the milder the symptoms, Beverly pushed for her daughter’s GP to do further tests. Through Beverly’s determination her daughter’s lupus was caught early and is now being treated. Driven by cases such as Beverly’s the Lupus Association will run four GP education seminars in 2008 and is active in promoting awareness of lupus in the general community. 

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