45 Year Anniversary Celebration

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

Cheers Lupus Supporters,

I’m so delighted to share that our Chapter is celebrating its 45th anniversary! I can hardly believe it. What a privilege it has been to see the progress that has been made in the ght against lupus. Perhaps you do not know this, but currently, I have the longest tenure here at the Lupus Foundation of America, including its Chapters and National sta and board members. Many say I am the historian of this wonderful Foundation across the nation. We never know where life is going to take us. At the age of 27, doctors told me to go home because they had no clue how to treat or manage my lupus and that I would only have a few years to live. Who knew that I’d be alive and well today?

I am bursting with the knowledge and history of this organization and remember all those that have gone before me, worked alongside me, and continue to work hard to achieve our mission laid out before us. We have done our best to pick out some highlights to share with you from our 45 years. This is just a drop in the bucket. The real stories are of those I meet with lupus and their struggles and triumphs! Forty- ve years and we are just getting started. It has been a long road and I feel blessed to nally see the fruits of our labor. We are one of the nation’s leading Chapters in the area of programming and patient services. Much more work needs to be done and we can do it together. While we wait to nd a cause and/or a cure for lupus, the Chapter stands ready to assist lupus patients and their caregivers and families.

If you are ever in the Cleveland area and have anything to share from one of the other eight original Ohio Chapters that helped pave our path, I would love to hear it from you. Just give me a call or shoot me an email. I always have time for you. I am so thankful for all those that were here in the early years. Because of their dedication, passion, and commitment to the cause, we are here today. Join us in celebrating 45 years of great success. This is a big read and I hope you see the value of this wonderful organization by supporting it today and perhaps in the future. Thanks to all of you from all of us. After all, there is no I in lupus, only us.

With tremendous gratitude,

Suzanne Tierney, President & CEO

OUR ORIGIN STORY

THE LFA, GOC TRAILBLAZING BEGINS

In 1977, the Chapter started as a grassroots organization of friends and family of lupus patients. The Sagaris family of Cleveland was one of the founding members and they are still involved today.

1ST NATIONAL CONVENTION

MEETING HELD IN CLEVELAND, OHIO

During 1986, the Lupus Foundation of America held their national convention in Cleveland, Ohio for the rst time. Ninety-two Chapters were in attendance representing twenty- ve nations.

OHIO LUPUS NEEDS ASSESSMENT

1ST TECHNICAL SUPPORT SUMMARY

During 2016, the Ohio Lupus Needs Assessment was developed to learn more about the public health burden of lupus and promote better health outcomes of Ohioans with lupus.

3 NEW MEDICATIONS

APPROVED BY FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION

In 2021, three medications were approved for lupus patients. Benlysta for lupus nephritis, Saphnelo™, and Lupkynis™. Never before have this many medications been approved. A positive step for lupus patients.

45TH ANNIVERSARY

CELEBRATING YEARS OF TRAILBLAZING

It’s 2022! For our 45th Anniversary, we’d like to celebrate the gift of giving and highlight a few milestones made at our chapter. We worked hard but couldn’t have made it without you.