Member Services

Education

Education

  • Hosting the annual Symposium for the lupus community including health care professionals and our members.

  • Publication of the quarterly newsletter “The Lupus Lighthouse”.

  • Distribution of information packages, books and videos.

  • Maintaining a current library of pamphlets, books, videos and articles.

  • Networking with international lupus organizations for the purpose of sharing updated and significant information.

  • Sustaining a website database with information from world renowned lupus experts including transcripts from our annual Lupus Symposium.

Support

Support

  • Providing resource information and peer support, on-going communication and information sharing.

  • By partnering with St. Paul’s Hospital Lupus Clinic, initial treatment recommendations are available for newly diagnosed. For those who have lupus that is difficult to manage, consultative services are also available.

  • Responding to requests for information by members and health care professionals.

  • Assisting with the development of educational materials, as needed for Outreach programs.

  • Liaising with physicians, specialists and other health care professionals to develop an information network.

  • Sustaining a network of 33 provincial contacts and 8 support groups across the province.

Awareness

Research

Research

  • Providing funding support for research initiatives locally and nationally, including research scholarships, clinical support, and research projects.

  • Since 2007 the BC Lupus Society has funded lupus research through the sponsorship of our BC Lupus Research Scholar, Dr. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta, working out of Arthritis Research Canada in Vancouver.

  • Ongoing support of national research initiatives through Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in SLE (CaNIOS).

Awareness

  • Facilitating the World Lupus Day and October Awareness Campaigns that are highlighted by Walk a Block for Lupus and the educational symposium, and further supported by advertising campaigns in the various news media.

  • Developing links with the medical community in general, as well as the Division of Rheumatology.