Lupus Research Update!

I’m pleased to share our online Lupus Research Update (LRU) newsletter with you because it contains so much interesting news about work being funded by the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) and you. For instance, we recently talked with Dr. Meggan Mackay — a clinician and researcher — about lupus and infections.  With a pilot grant from the ALR, Dr. Mackay has been able to bring clarity to a troubling dilemma that doctors face when they treat their lupus patients.  Most often it is difficult to differentiate between infection and disease flares. Meggan Mackay, MD Feinstein Institute for Medical Research ALR-funded researcher Today — after a multi-year study — Dr. Mackay is exploring what kinds of genes are being expressed in patients who have infections and those who have flares.  Her ultimate goal is to tailor treatment faster and to reduce risks of complications. Dr. Mackay’s work may not have gotten off the ground without support from people like you.  Because of the ALR grant, Dr. Mackay not only proved she was on the right track … she was able to obtain a larger grant to further advance her groundbreaking work. We are also pleased to introduce you to our newest Board Member — William Wolfe.  Mr. Wolfe is the father of a daughter with lupus — so it is not surprising that his interest in our initiative to fast track new therapies made him join forces with the ALR. This initiative is looking at drugs already approved by the FDA to determine if they will be efficacious in treating lupus.  Drug repurposing can greatly speed the process of bringing relief to those with the disease. But to make a difference NOW — we urgently need your renewed support. People with lupus can’t wait for a cure.  They need new treatments now … and your support is enabling us to look at a variety of avenues that have the potential to deliver viable treatment options in the NEAR future. Please send your most generous tax-deductible gift to the Alliance for Lupus Research today.  It will be put to immediate use — and very well may be a catalyst to the next scientific breakthrough. Thank you! Kenneth M. Farber ALR President P.S.  The momentum is strong.  But we need your generous support to make the next breakthrough in lupus research.  Donate by clicking here.