New Partnership to Transform Lives of Oregonians with Lupus

LAKE OSWEGO, OR, January 24, 2013 (Press-News.org) Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus and Catholic Charities (Oregon) are announcing that they will be working together to empower Oregonians who are living with lupus. The two nonprofits will be pooling their expertise to ensure that people receive the help and support they need to manage the impact of the disease on their lives.

Lupus is a chronic disease that causes the immune system to attack the body creating a wide range of painful and debilitating symptoms and damage to various organs and tissues. The disease is widely misunderstood and often misdiagnosed, the ultimate cause is not known, and there is no cure. What is clear, however, is that women of childbearing age and women of color are most likely to develop lupus and some men are affected as well.

For many people with lupus, it is necessary to learn to live with the condition long term which may be a difficult process. The health problems caused by the disease can have a dramatic impact on a person's ability to keep a job, to pay debts, maintain a normal family life and retain health insurance.

In response to these issues, Molly's Fund and one of the region's largest social service agencies, Catholic Charities, have come together to help make a difference for those in the Northwest. Molly's Fund raises money to assist people with lupus and has set aside money for its Client Assistance Fund. The fund will be administered by Catholic Charities which will also open up its wide range of social service programs to successful applicants.

Assistance will be given based on need and confirmed lupus diagnosis and all Oregonians who would benefit are encouraged to apply. "After I was diagnosed, I had nowhere to turn, there was no lupus community organized and very few resources available, today that is different, with Catholic Charities, the money we raise goes to help those in need, and that's a miracle to be sure," said Molly McCabe, co-founder of Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus.

Further information about the fund and the application process may be found online at www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org/mollysfund.asp. The fund began accepting applications at the beginning of this year. Catholic Charities Executive Director, Pietro Ferrari, says, "Here at Catholic Charities we work to assist those among us who are most vulnerable and through our partnership with Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus we are able to bring help and hope to a whole new group of clients in need. We look forward to using our many services to tackle the serious problems these clients face to improve - and even transform - their situations."

NOTES TO EDITORS: Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus is a non-profit awareness and education organization dedicated to helping those with lupus, educating the public about the disease, and spurring advocacy with governments, the medical community, and pushing for earlier diagnosis to save lives.

Catholic Charities brings hope, resources and advocacy to the poor and most vulnerable among us regardless of faith, race, marital status or condition in life. Its activities are based upon the fundamental belief in the dignity and sanctity of human life and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. It serves as the professional social service arm of the Archdiocese of Portland.