Yes, that heartwarming time of year brings a sigh of satisfaction.
Harry Chapin, the renowned singer/songwriter whose songs like "Taxi" and "Cat's in the Cradle" made life (and radio!) in the '60s and '70s great, was a great advocate of programs designed to stop hunger in America. But Harry wasn't a seasonal activist. He quietly and succinctly got to the heart of the problem during the holidays when he asked the simple question: "What are those kids going to eat next week?"
Yes, I am making a pitch.
See, I figured that I would get everyone's attention now, while it's relatively quiet, and no one else is clamoring for your extra pocket change. You see, there are many great lupus-related organizations that would benefit immensely from a little monetary boost. Think of the following (as I hear your wallet crinkling from the pressure you're applying to it in an attempt to withstand my charming self):
- The last time that a medicine was approved specifically for lupus was over 40 years ago.
- Although more people have lupus than have cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis combined, we have no telethons, or celebrity lupies testifying before congress about the lack of a cure.
- Lupus is more likely to strike women, and also more likely to strike African-Americans, yet Oprah has never done a show on lupus. (Maybe she's just not aware?)
- Only 20% of adults 18-24 could give basic, accurate information about lupus when asked, even though it usually strikes during the childbearing years.
Hello? Is this thing still on? I think we can all agree that information must be made easily available and that awareness raising is crucial. How many times have we heard (or said) "I thought I was just tired." Or "I figured it was a sunburn." Or "My family said I was just depressed."? This kind of ignorance can cause people with lupus to neglect seeing a doctor and can cause treatment to be delayed, sometimes with terrible results.
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