Lupus Research Fundraising: Help Cultivate a Life Without Lupus This Spring
Lupus research fundraising is critical to advancing new treatments, improving care, and finding a cure for those living with lupus. This spring, you can help plant seeds of hope by supporting Lupus Canada’s Spring Appeal.
Stories of Hope
Transforming Lives Through Research
When lupus research blooms, hope grows. For those living with lupus — a complex autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own healthy tissues — each research breakthrough represents a step toward better treatments, improved quality of life and more equitable access to care.
Right now, dedicated researchers across Canada are cultivating innovative approaches to understanding lupus better. But without urgently needed support, vital lupus research initiatives may wither before they bloom, leaving those who battle the unpredictable flares, chronic pain, and damage to vital organs without the new treatments they desperately need. Your generosity today can help nurture tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Dr. Holly Taggart, Vice Chair of Lupus Canada and Associate Professor at Ontario Tech University, recently shared with me how critical specific research funding is, “Lupus-specific research often gets lost in broader funding categories. When donors support targeted initiatives today, they ensure vital studies flourish, cultivating treatments that can transform patients’ lives tomorrow.”
“To date, many key questions remain unanswered about lupus despite all the progress that has been made,” adds Dr. May Choi, Associate Professor of Rheumatology at the Cumming School of Medicine.
“By funding lupus-specific research, we can improve diagnosis, our understanding of what causes the disease, and find new treatments, and potentially a cure.”
This spring, Toronto will be hosting Lupus 2025 — an international conference that will bring together the world’s leading lupus researchers. This prestigious gathering will be a vibrant “garden” where researchers will cross-pollinate, fostering collaboration and accelerating progress.
Canada has a chance to take root as a leader in lupus research — but only if we invest in the breakthroughs that will put us on the world stage. In the United States, over $65 million has been dedicated to lupus research in the last 8 years alone. In contrast, Canadian funding remains crucially underfunded, making us heavily reliant on advancements from other countries—and causing delays for Canadians who desperately need new treatments.
Please donate to Lupus Canada today, so we can continue to fund life-changing research, raise awareness and advocacy for this debilitating disease, and one day, discover a cure.
Your Gift Helps Turn Research Into Reality
Thanks to supporters like you, Lupus Canada’s research initiatives are already bearing fruit. In the past year alone, we:
- Committed $100,000 to support vital lupus research
- Engaged with leading researchers exploring cutting-edge innovations in bone and joint health
- Committed to 3-year support for the establishment of the Dr. Murray B. Urowitz Chair
- Increased our Catalyst Grant award to $75,000 and expanded our research commitment to include social sciences
These achievements wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors who understand the urgent need to support lupus-specific research.
Dr. Arielle Mendel, Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at McGill University, explains to me that, “Lupus is a major ‘underdog’ in terms of research funding compared to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. This is a problem because lupus affects young adults in the prime of their life and can lead to many long-term health issues, work disability, and other challenges.”
The impact of your support extends far beyond laboratories. Every research project you help fund brings us closer to faster diagnosis (which currently takes an average of 7 years), more effective treatments, and improved quality of life for those living with lupus. And while lupus can affect anyone — men, women, and children — 90% of those living with lupus are women, with a higher prevalence among women of colour.
Exciting Initiatives This Spring
With the arrival of spring, we’re preparing for Lupus Awareness Month in May. Our exciting Lupus 1000 Challenge campaign will invite participants to set goals of accomplishing 1,000 of their chosen activity to raise both awareness and funds. Meanwhile, our Classrooms for a Cause initiative will return to educate younger generations about lupus through art-inspired, age-appropriate activities.
New this year, we’re also proud to recognize the dedication, compassion and expertise of Canadian Rheumatologists with our Patients’ Choice Award.
How You Can Help Today
Your donation is crucial for those living with lupus. In the event of another Canada Post strike, we kindly ask that you consider donating online to ensure your support reaches those in need without delay.
“The only way to conquer lupus is to ask and answer more questions. I believe the more we do that, the less people have to struggle,” said Dr. Holly Taggart. I wholeheartedly agree with her –– and every dollar you give renews the promise that, with proper nurturing, lupus research can bloom like never before in Canada.
With gratitude,
Leanne Mielczarek,
Chief Executive Officer Lupus Canada
P.S. Every research breakthrough begins with a single discovery, nurtured by support from people like you. Your donation helps transform promising ideas into life-changing treatments for those living
with lupus.
Help us cultivate a life without lupus. Your support makes tomorrow’s breakthroughs possible.
