SEPTEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

Dear {Contact_FullName}

Thank you for taking the time to keep up to date on the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica.

Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can mount an Immune Response to COVID-19 Despite Immunosuppressant Use

Contributed by: Dr Taneisha McGhie-Phillips

There is good news for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have had the SARS-CoV-2 infection. A recent study published in Lancet Rheumatology showed that the majority of patients with SLE and confirmed COVID-19 infection produce and maintain a serologic response i.e., produce antibodies to the virus, despite immunosuppressant use.

Researchers in New York aimed to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in patients with SLE with or without previous COVID-19-related symptoms or RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. 329 patients with SLE from 2 multi-racial and multi-ethnic cohorts were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies as part of routine surveillance during follow-up clinical visits. 62% of the patients with COVID-19 previously confirmed by RT-PCR were on immunosuppressants including: azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, belimumab, tacrolimus, and cyclophosphamide or rituximab within 1 year of their evaluation. Of the 36 participants who were initially tested as COVID-19 positive, 88% maintained reactivity on serial testing for up to 10 weeks, 83% for up to 20 weeks, and 80% for up to 30 weeks. Overall, 70% of patients with confirmed COVID-19 exhibited antibody positivity even after 30 weeks from onset of the infection.

The researchers concluded that the study findings provide reassurance that patients with lupus can mount an immune response against COVID-19 even though they might be on immunosuppressants.

Saxena A, Guttmann A, Masson M, et al. Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody reactivity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: analysis of a multi-racial and multi-ethnic cohort. Lancet Rheumatol. 2021;3(8):e585-e594.

Article contributed by:
Dr. Taneisha McGhie-Phillips

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Show your lupus colours and support when you wear one of our LUPUS Warrior T-Shirts.  Available with 3 sayings, visit our website to get yours, or follow the link below.

OCTOBER IS LUPUS AWARNESS MONTH

October is Lupus Awareness Month! This year we are shining the spotlight on your Children and Youth with Lupus (post graphic).

Here is how you can get involved:

Like, share and follow our Social Media Posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn (include links) and share awareness posts and event announcements

• Support our Laps For Lupus Awareness Fundraising campaign and Family friendly Fun Virtual Event on October 18 (details to follow)
• Participate in our POP (Put on Purple) Fridays and invite your School and Workplace to Participate
• Set up An Awareness Display at your school or workplace (we will supply)
• Volunteer (see below)
• Invite a friend to join, donate or volunteer and Join the Fight Against Lupus
• Donate to the effort

 - Click here to download more information PDF 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Fri Oct 1, 2021 10 am
LAUNCH EVENT: Lupus Awareness Month
20 min live streamed virtual event introducing theme and events of the month and thanking sponsors

Oct 3, 2021
VIRTUAL CHURCH SERVICE: CHURCH OF ST MARGARET’S LIGUANEA

Oct 6, 2021, Wednesday, 6 pm 
ASK THE EXPERT LIVE: YOUTH EDITION
Youtube, Facebook
Monthly live Q & A session answering questions submitted by members/public on Lupus related topics

Sun Oct 18, 2021 4 – 6 pm
LAPS FOR LUPUS AWARENESS - ZOOM EVENT
Campaign and Virtual event:  Family friendly virtual event featuring celebrity host, work out session, health tips/demos, games and sponsored prizes

Sunday Oct 31, 2021 10 am
ANNUAL LUPUS SYMPOSIUM - YouTube & Facebook

Children & Youth with Lupus – Improving Outcomes through Knowledge & Support.  Annual Educational Symposium featuring scientific presentations by local and international Experts; Expert panel addressing topical issues relevant to patients and families; Continuing Medical Education credits; free to public.

ALL MONTH LONG...

PUT ON PURPLE FRIDAYS! 
Purple clothing, LFJ merchandise and ribbons to promote awareness and reduce stigma  Get your Workplaces & Campuses & Schools involved!

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

As a member of the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ), you have access to a variety of benefits intended to provide easy access to information and support. Benefits include: 

• Professional counseling services
• Pharmacy discount programme
• Medical expense assistance
• Regular interactive support group meetings with health professionals
• Monthly Newsletter
• Whatsapp group
• Hospital visits by support group members
• Help line manned by volunteers
• Invitations to participate in special events designed to build community and raise awareness

YOUR MEMBERSHIP HELPS US: 
Additionally, your membership dues allow the LFJ to build ongoing awareness and support to the greater community. Those efforts include: 

• Regular On-line Programmes like Ask the Expert, available on our YouTube Channel 
• Assisting needy Lupus Members with food items and critical supplies
• Operation of the Lupus Learning Centre, where persons affected by lupus and members of the public can access information (print or audiovisual) to better understand the disease and its management, find a treatment centre and access available services
• Distribution of literature in hospitals, clinics and medical centre
• Public relations and advocacy efforts
• Website and Social Media management, providing information about lupus and ways to get involved 
• Hosting of several annual events, designed to build community and raise awareness

DID YOU MISS AN EPISODE OF ASK THE EXPERT?

NO WORRIES THEY ARE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT!

SUPPORT
THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF JAMAICA - many options available online follow link below.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT SOCIALLY!

If you support the Lupus Foundation and would like to add this to your social media pages or email signatures please feel free to copy and paste the icon to the right.

ASK THE EXPERT

Ask The Expert Live will be Back in September!

Stay Tuned for the next episode!

We would love to hear from you on the previous season and suggestions for topics next season!

Tell Us Your Story!

Share Your Story! Our stories are some of our most powerful weapons in the Fight against Lupus - helping raise awareness and encouraging our fellow warriors. Send us your story in 200 words or less or your 60 sec video clip. Visit our website for more details, tips and scripts.

Children and Youth with Lupus: If you are a young person or child living with lupus, a parent or an adult who developed lupus before age 18, we want to hear from you as we focus this year on better understanding, meeting the needs, engaging with and empowering this special group!

Children and Youth with Lupus: 

If you are a young person or child living with lupus, a parent or an adult who developed lupus before age 18, we want to hear from you as we focus this year on better understanding,
meeting the needs, engaging with and empowering this special group!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Volunteers needed!  
• Are you a child or youth with lupus, a parent, or have you experienced lupus as a youth? 
• Share your story or participate in a video promoting awareness about children and young people with lupus  
• We want to hear from you!  Get in touch if you would be willing to participate in a survey or focus group as we seek to better understand and meet the needs of our children and youth with lupus.
• Make and Distribute Purple Ribbons
• Set up Poster Display at your work place or school
• create posts and graphics for our Social Media Campaign

Is your Membership up to date?

Your dues help keep us going and ensure you keep access to Member Benefits like this newsletter. Just Log in on our website using your email to check your membership status and update our records.  You can also use our website to make your Member Dues payments and Donations conveniently on our secure payment page or find banking information. 

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10am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

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