LFA-DC/MD/VA to Offer Lupus Symposium on Latest Research, Treatments

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Foundation of America DC/MD/VA Chapter (LFA-DC/MD/VA) at http://www.lupusdmv.org will offer the latest in lupus research, treatments and coping skills on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Led by world-renowned lupus expert and keynote speaker Michelle Petri, M.D., M.P.H., the 24th Annual Maryland Lupus Symposium will be held at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Turner Auditorium, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, Md. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. For more details or to register: http://tinyurl.com/LupusSymSep17.

The free Symposium was created for the 35,000+ Maryland patients with lupus and their families—90 percent of whom are women. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease with no known cure that can damage any part of the body including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and the brain.

"Our working relationship with the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center enables us to offer Maryland area lupus patients the highest quality information and guidance that's critical to their quality of life," said LFA-DC/MD/VA President and CEO Penny Fletcher. "We'd like to especially thank Dr. Michelle Petri for her help to create our largest Maryland Lupus Symposium to date," she said.

With the theme "Taking Charge and Feeling Better," the half-day session will include:

• Back to the Basics and Treatment Update: includes recent research developments and the prospects for future treatments
• Lupus and Your Kidneys: to address the 40 percent of all people living with lupus who will develop kidney complications
• Lupus and Fibromyalgia: how to manage both that frequently occur together
• Meditation and Stress Relief: coping with a chronic illness
• Eating Well with Lupus: guidelines and tips to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and avoid heart disease
• Lupus and Your Skin: the causes and treatments of skin rashes and lesions
• Tai Chi Warm-Up: explore the practice of tai chi and how it can improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic illness
  

Full schedule: http://tinyurl.com/LupusSymDetails.

About LFA-DC/MD/VA

Founded in 1974, the Lupus Foundation of America DC/MD/VA Chapter, Inc. provides free, current information, education programs and outreach services to improve the quality of lives for people with lupus while also supporting research. Toll-free number in D.C., Md., Va. and W.Va.: 1-888-787-5390 or 202-787-5390. Web site: http://www.lupusdmv.org.

SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America DC/MD/VA Chapter, Inc.