Hi Guys, i am doing a sponsored shydive on 12th Semptember 2009 in aid of Lupus UK, a charity i am becoming increasingly familiar with and it would really mean a lot to me if you could donate some money towards this cause, no matter how big or small. i have attached some information below about Lupus and Lupus UK, please take the time to read it and understand how important it is to help this charity.

many thanks

Robyn :)

 

Lupus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect virtually any system in the body. Think of it as a 'self-allergy' where the body attacks its own cells and tissues, causing inflammation, pain, and possible organ damage.

So few have heard of it, yet worldwide it's seen as more common than leukaemia, multiple sclerosis & muscular dystrophy.

Over 30,000 people have the disease in the UK of whom 90% are female. Men & young children can also be affected by lupus. The ratio of women to men(who are affected) being 9:1.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, a type of self-allergy, whereby the patient's immune system creates antibodies which instead of protecting the body from bacteria & viruses attack the person's own body tissues. This causes symptoms of extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, anaemia, general malaise, & can result in the destruction of vital organs. It is a disease with many manifestations, & each person's profile or list of symptoms is different. Lupus can mimic other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis & rheumatoid arthritis, making it difficult to diagnose.

 

LUPUS UK is the only national registered charity supporting people with systemic lupus and discoid lupus and assisting those approaching diagnosis. We presently have over 7,500 Members and 30 Regional Groups who arrange medical talks, publish local newsletters, set up local occasions and organise fundraising events. LUPUS UK also produces an informative national magazine with lupus articles, letters, reports, and photographs, and operates a strong Grant Programme for research purposes and welfare.

LUPUS UK's priorities are:

to help the lupus patient who may feel alone and isolated to assist those in need as they seek a diagnosis to inform the public and the medical profession about lupus to improve national awareness about lupus and its impact to maintain a network of Regional Groups and Contacts to fund further research into the causes and towards a cure

to help the lupus patient who may feel alone and isolated

to assist those in need as they seek a diagnosis

to inform the public and the medical profession about lupus

to improve national awareness about lupus and its impact

to maintain a network of Regional Groups and Contacts

to fund further research into the causes and towards a cure

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.