Member Services
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
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.
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.