MAY 2021 NEWSLETTER

LFJ NEWS

Government and Media Join The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica in the call to increase knowledge and support for persons with Lupus.

Kingston, Jamaica, May 17, 2021 

Thousands of Jamaicans continue to suffer the debilitating effects of Lupus, known medically as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a lifelong disorder of the immune system. The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica continues the fight against Lupus through its education programmes, advocacy and support for persons living with the disease. 

Monday May 10, 2021 marked the annual observation of World Lupus Day under the theme Make Lupus Visible. The Foundation joined with lupus groups across the world highlighting the need to increase awareness and knowledge of the disease, its wide impact and the need for earlier diagnosis, research, and access to treatment, health care and support for the many adults and children affected. The autoimmune condition which occurs at higher rates in Afro-Caribbean populations is estimated to affect some 6000 Jamaicans and an estimated 5 million persons worldwide.   

Prime Minister Hon Andrew Holness, who in 2019 announced the addition of lupus to the list of conditions to receive medication subsidies from the National Health Fund, also joined in the call on May 10 through his Facebook page, endorsing the Foundation’s efforts and encouraging Jamaicans to support the initiative. “Let’s unite to spread awareness and increase understanding about Lupus.”

In observing the Day, the Foundation sought to increase visibility and share knowledge about Lupus through print and broadcast media as well as social media platforms, displays at hospitals, clinics and parish libraries, and a “Put On Purple” initiative with the distribution of purple ribbons and branded merchandise through the Organisation’s Lupus Learning Centre in New Kingston and via their online store.

The organisation also staged a free Virtual Event, Unmasking the Many Faces of Lupus, which opened with a video-recorded message from Dr the Hon Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health & Wellness, who applauded the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica for the work it has been doing.  “The Government has also played its part in supporting initiatives that improve the awareness and understanding of the disease…I look forward to our continuous collaboration and I implore all Jamaicans to join together and support persons living with the disease.”

The Virtual Event, viewed live by over 500 persons on the Foundation’s YouTube and Facebook pages, was hosted by media practitioner Roxene Nickle of The Edge 105FM and featured several persons sharing their journeys with lupus, while medical specialists provided insights on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.  Other highlights included vox pop interviews with members of the public - "word on the street about lupus", a virtual tour of the Foundation's Learning Centre and volunteers sharing their experiences working with the volunteer-run charity.

Dr Desiree Tulloch-Reid, Consultant Rheumatologist and President of Lupus Foundation of Jamaica commented on the theme chosen. “Lupus and many autoimmune conditions are often referred to as “invisible illnesses” because there is often a lack of awareness and understanding both of the condition and the persons affected .“Lupus is also often referred to as ‘the Disease of Many Faces’ because of the various ways lupus can present itself. By “many faces” we also wanted to highlight the diversity of persons affected and their varied experiences during a lifelong journey with the illness”.

May 10 also kicked off the 37-year-old Charity’s month-long drive to raise funds to support the fight against Lupus through its programmes to assist persons living with the disease. The Foundation is inviting the support of the media, corporate Jamaica and the public at large in its call for volunteers and donations, as it faces both increased demand for services and funding challenges during the covid19 pandemic.

ABOUT LFJ

Lupus, known medically as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, is a disorder of the immune system.  It causes the immune system to become over-reactive and produce antibodies that damage normal healthy cells and can be life-threatening.  While Lupus patients have an over-reactive immune system, in most cases, they are not able to effectively cope with common infections.  This makes Lupus patients among the high-risk groups for contraction of Covid-19.

The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica is a member-based, volunteer-run, non-profit organization in operation since 1984. It aspires to improve the lives and outcomes of persons affected by lupus through better awareness and a deeper understanding of the disease. Among its major activities are patient support and counselling, advocacy for access to care and promotion of research in the field.

To learn more about Lupus and LFJ programs and services, please visit the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica’s website: www.lupusfoundationjamaica.org , or their social media pages: https://www.instagram.com/lupusfoundationja/, https://www.facebook.com/Lupusfoundationjamaica/.


UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 26 @ 6PM 
Support Group Meeting – Lupus Support Group Western Ja

June 2 @ 6PM
Ask The Expert Live

June 17 @ 6PM
Support Group Meeting – Kingston Group


Honourable Christopher Tufton
Minister of Health Presents a
National Health Fund Card

 

Dr. Desiree Tulloch-Reid 
LFJ President
ready to raise awareness on
World Lupus Day May 10, 2021

Our Programme Host Roxene Nickles  of The Edge 105 FM
Supporting our
Unmasking the Many Faces Programme

Volunteers preparing for World Lupus Day at the Learning Centre.

Merchandise is still Available for purchase

ORDER NOW

GIVE A GRAN

BE GRAND GIVE A GRAN Fundraising Campaign will continue to run for the Month of May!  We Invite you to make a donation to the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica. Give Online: www.lupusfoundationjamaica.org/donations   or at NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK  Branch Name: Knutsford  Branch Address: 1 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston 5, Jamaica Branch # 33077  Bank Account # 332062956  Currency JMD Account.

BE GRAND GIVE A GRAN

Fundraising Campaign will continue to run for the Month of May!  We Invite you to make a donation to the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica. Give Online: www.lupusfoundationjamaica.org/donations   or at NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK  Branch Name: Knutsford  Branch Address: 1 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston 5, Jamaica Branch # 33077  Bank Account # 332062956  Currency JMD Account.

Help Spread the word!  You can also give by sharing this post on your social media, whatsapp share or whatsapp status and help us continue to provide assistance to persons with lupus. Join the Fight today!


GIVE A GRAN

Honouring our Nurses

Nurse Sophia Barnes-Blake

Wednesday May 12 2021 was celebrated as International Nurses’ Day 2021. Across the world people and organisations took time to recognise the critical role played by nurses and the huge contribution nurses make to our health care system.

Nurses have always been the backbone of our hospitals and clinics and we honour them for the courage, dedication and caring they have shown often at great personal sacrifice - going beyond the call of duty, particularly throughout this pandemic period.

We turn the spotlight on Nurse Sophia Barnes-Blake of Kingston Public Hospital Rheumatology Clinic, a nursing veteran whose 21 years in Nursing spans Psychiatry, Medicine, Ophthalmology, and Diabetes Education. For the past ten (10) years Nurse Barnes-Blake has been in charge of the busy Rheumatology and Renal (Kidney) Clinics, coordinating care for literally thousands of patients at the Island’s largest tertiary Referral Centre in the heart of downtown Kingston. Beloved of patients and medical staff alike, on a daily basis she can be observed calmly and cheerfully handling not just the busy flow of scheduled appointments but a similarly constant flow of questions, frustrations, missed appointments, prescription issues, applications and requests - with skill, patience, kindness and grace. Almost miraculously, she keeps track of thousands of names and faces – their crises, personal challenges, and even finds time to visit them on the wards.

You know, what brings me to work each day is just to see the patients and hear when they come and say ‘thank you nurse’, ‘God bless you, Nurse’. I’ve been there for them, encouraging them. When there is no one to lend support to them, they just get depressed; admissions; and you don’t want the admission rate to be high on the Rheumatology part, especially the ones with SLE (lupus).”

Over the years Nurse has also become a valued and dynamic volunteer and member of Lupus Foundation of Jamaica – supporting educational programmes, membership and even fundraising efforts. “I encourage the patients to join the association and also to join the support group,” she says.

We honour our nurses who are truly our every-day heroes, nursing away pain and suffering from this world. Thank you for dedicating your life to helping others.


“I encourage the patients to join the association and also to join the support group”

Nurse Sophia Barnes-Blake

 
 

SUPPORT
THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF JAMAICA - many options available online follow link below.

DONATE

Check Out our Youtube Channel to watch our Unmasking of Lupus Presentation.

ASK THE EXPERT

Ask The Expert Live
JUNE 2, 2021

MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS:
Your Questions Answered

Stay Tuned for the next episode!

Just text back to this number or send us an email at: info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org
Looking forward to your feedback!

Tell Us Your Story!

Share Your Story! Our stories are some of our most powerful weapons in the Fight against Lupus - helping raise awareness and encouraging our fellow warriors. Send us your story in 200 words or less or your 60 sec video clip by April 25, 2021 to be included in our World Lupus Day campaign and event on May 10, 2021. Visit our website for more details, tips and scripts.

Children and Youth with Lupus: If you are a young person or child living with lupus, a parent or an adult who developed lupus before age 18, we want to hear from you as we focus this year on better understanding, meeting the needs, engaging with and empowering this special group!

Children and Youth with Lupus: 

If you are a young person or child living with lupus, a parent or an adult who developed lupus before age 18, we want to hear from you as we focus this year on better understanding,
meeting the needs, engaging with and empowering this special group!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Volunteers Needed!  
Get in touch with us by April 18, 2021 if you wish to offer your skills in our upcoming
World Lupus Campaign:

  • Administrative Support - communications and scheduling
  • Monitoring Phonelines, email and IM
  • Video recording/editing
  • Graphic Design
  • IT/Streaming
  • Digital Marketing/Social Media
  • Writing Scripts and Press Releases

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Email: info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org



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