For Immediate Release Contact: Silvia Heredia
November 10, 2006 516-783-3370

The Lupus Alliance of LI/Q is pleased to announce a new service in Spanish for people with lupus

Bellmore, NY - The Lupus Alliance of America, LI/Q Affiliate will be holding its first meeting of Círculos de Lupus, lupus talking circles in Spanish, on Wednesday, November 29th, 2006 in Jackson Heights, Queens, from 10:30am to 1pm. Círculos de Lupus is a collaborative project between the Lupus Alliance, the SLE Lupus Foundation and the Latin American Immigrant Alliance. It hopes to be a resource and gathering point for conversation, exchange, learning and growth; an opportunity to share lupus experiences and stories and contribute to improving life with the disease.

Characterized by varied symptoms such as achy joints, extreme fatigue, skin rashes and fevers, lupus is a disease in which the body’s immune system misrecognizes healthy tissues and organs and begins attacking them, thus causing inflammation and possible organ and system dysfunction. Overall, lupus is a highly unpredictable and potentially life-threatening disease, but one that can be better controlled by a prompt diagnosis and treatment. One more striking fact about lupus is that it disproportionately affects African-American, Latina, Native American, and Asian women three times more than it does Caucasian women. It is essential then, that information and services reach these communities in more culturally and linguistically sensitive and appropriate ways. Círculos de Lupus is just one firm step of the Alliance’s growing efforts to develop and sustain such a community outreach.

Círculos de Lupus is a free service to the community. There is no registration required for this event. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Talking circle topics will include facts about lupus, how to talk to your doctor, coping strategies, the healing arts and more. Please join the inaugural meeting of Círculos de Lupus, Wednesday, November 29th, from 10:30am to 1pm, at the center of the Latin American Immigrant Alliance, 37-47 76th Street, Jackson Heights, 11372 (within walking distance from the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave. stop for the E, G, R, V and 7 trains, and the Q19B, Q32, Q45, Q33, Q47 and Q53 buses).

The Lupus Alliance’s mission is to serve, educate and find the cause and cure for those affected by lupus. To receive more information about Círculos de Lupus, or if you have lupus or know someone who does and would like more information about lupus and the Alliances services, call 516-783-3370 or 1-800-850-9000. You can also visit the Alliance’s bilingual website at www.lupusliqueens.org, or send an e-mail to info@lupusliqueens.org.
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