Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus Celebrates 3rd Annual Lupus Awareness Month in Oregon

PORTLAND, OR, May 11, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Oregon State Legislature unanimously approved the designation of May as Lupus Awareness Month 3 years ago - finally giving a voice to those with the disease. Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus, based here in Portland, has been on the frontlines of bringing the devastating disease of lupus into the spotlight. Now the organization is poised to launch a comprehensive new website, a three-state awareness campaign in print, radio and television and continue fighting for the rights of those with lupus here in Oregon for better healthcare.

NOTE: In Oregon and beyond - lupus is more common than muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, leukemia and cystic fibrosis combined - yet few know this fact.

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). When a person has lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, and it cannot tell the difference between foreign invaders and your body's healthy tissues and creates auto-antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. The result is intense inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. There is no cure, and thousands of Oregonians suffer from this illness, and millions do world wide.

BACKGROUND: In 2011 Senator Diane Rosenbaum and Representative Carolyn Tomei, co-chairs of the Oregon Women's Health and Wellness Alliance (OWHWA), with Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus and others dedicated to promoting women's health, pushed Oregon Bill 348 to passing and made this landmark dedication and recognition a reality. This continued dedication is important to those thousands of Oregonians who have suffered in relative silence with lupus.

Lupus Awareness Month Activities:

Butterflies in the Park - A Walk for Lupus Awareness is back and being held at Oaks Park! Last year, more than 300 people affected by lupus joined Molly's Fund for a morning of walking, talking, education and advocacy. This year, the organization expects close to 600 people to participate. Joining the walk is easy - visit www.MollysFund.org or register direct at: www.mollysfundevents.org/butterfliesinthepark

"Our first ever walk was an enormous success," said Molly McCabe, co-founder of Molly's Fund. "We had no idea if anyone would attend, and we were delighted to see so many concerned about lupus awareness, education and the need for a cure. The walk was so inspirational, other lupus walks in our name are starting to sprout up around the country."

DATE: May 18th
LOCATION: Oaks Park (7805 SE Oaks Park Way Portland, OR 97202)
TIME: 9am to Noon
REGISTER: www.mollysfundevents.org/butterfliesinthepark

The second Dine & Donate for Lupus is happening at various restaurants around the Portland area. Here's a great way to raise money for Molly's Fund mission of awareness and advocacy. A percentage of your meal will go direct to Molly's Fund.

DATE: May 1 - 31
LOCATION: All around Portland (visit the link for list of restaurants)
VISIT: http://www.mollysfund.org/get-involved/events/dine-and-donate-may-2013-portland-area

Also being announced: Molly's Fund is aligning with the Northwest Chronic Care Collaborative. There are currently an estimated 3.5 million people living with chronic medical conditions in Oregon and Washington. The needs of people with chronic health conditions are unique, and that patients and their care teams are the best experts in their own care.

This is why we are proud to announce the creation of a Northwest Chronic Care Collaborative as a partnership between Molly's Fund and the Northwest Patient Education Network. This new Coalition will work as a partner with the organizations that represent patients sharing resources, providing assistance with advocacy and education. This first program will launch early this fall, will be a series of community meetings throughout Oregon and Washington designed to provide the specific information people living with chronic health conditions have as they enroll in insurance plans.

Some Hard Facts:
- 1 in 185 people have lupus
- More than 16,000 develop the disease each year (in the US)
- Ninety percent of people with lupus are women, and 80% develop the disease between the ages of 15 and 45
- Lupus is 3 times more likely among women of color
- More than 50% of lupus patients see more than 3 doctors before diagnoses
- Lupus is more common than muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, leukemia and cystic fibrosis combined...

Additionally, Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus offers tremendous resources those afflicted with lupus. Their new web site, www.MollysFund.org, is an amazing online forum and community for those with lupus. The burgeoning online community that exists within their web site and Facebook community serves those around the Northwest and beyond.

Visit www.MollysFund.org for more information.

Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus is a recognized leader in providing patient-first support to those affected by this disease. Through support groups, education, advocacy and awareness building, Molly's Fund is the Northwest's leading lupus organization.