help for today
hope for tomorrow

December 18, 2020  
‍
Dear Friends, 
‍
We need your help this holiday season to continue our mission to create hope and a normalcy for our lupus families, especially during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work would not happen without your generous support as expressed by one of our constituents in her recent letter. 

“I’m writing to you from a place of fear and really need to see if you can help me. I am at a loss and have run out of any help because everyone else is going through so much, and I don't want to make things harder for others but am so scared.” ·       

Because of the numerous volunteers and careful management of your gifts, Lupus Colorado is proud to give 91% of all donations directly to services for lupus families.  Through outreach and key partnerships, we work diligently to serve our community. Every dollar is meaningful to our mission.
·       Our Emergency Assistance provided over $67,000 to local lupus families - paying doctor and dentist bills, buying needed medicines, providing transportation, purchasing groceries, and paying utility bills. 

·       Our education team taught virtual disease self-management classes to lupus patients and their caregivers. This evidence-based curriculum was developed and tested by Stanford Medical Center. This program is providing the tools for improvements in healthy lifestyle, mental health, injury prevention, caregiver support and self-care.

 ·       Our leadership successfully advocated for lupus research funding and benefits.  

·       Our virtual support groups provide ongoing education and encouragement to our lupus families.  

As a new year approaches, please know your gift and generosity will play an integral role in supporting our mission to empower and care for lupus patients and families as they continue to fight against this incurable disease.  Be that guardian angel.  Be a part of our journey and invest in Lupus Colorado, as we provide help for today and hope for tomorrow for the individuals and families with lupus.  

With a Grateful Heart,  
Inez M. Robinson, CEO  

P.S. Please let me know if you would like your gift to be designated for a particular purpose that is meaningful to you.

As a state leader in autoimmune health, Lupus Colorado is taking significant measures to do our part to support our constituents and the community regarding the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Colorado. As this pandemic evolves, it’s affecting all aspects of our community. Our goal throughout this time will be to protect our staff, volunteers and visitors along with enhance our support of medical and personal needs for lupus families.
‍
 One of our most important programs is providing financial assistance to our Lupus families. In response to the numerous calls we have been receiving from our Lupus Community, our Board has made the decision to both expand and condense the process of our Emergency Assistance Program for the next 60 days. If you are a Lupus patient or caregiver and are in immediate need of help for groceries, medicine, delivery services, or personal transportation, please contact our Program Director at Eden@lupuscolorado.org. If you need assistance for utilities, please contact our Patient Advocate at Kesha@lupuscolorado.org.
‍
Our strategy also includes preventing exposure through protective and proactive social distancing measures and adhering to the advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the rate of exposure to the virus and mitigate the risk for related illness, especially for our lupus warriors, caregivers and others living with chronic disease. For more information on Lupus and COVID-19 along with additional resources, please go to our research partner, the Lupus Research Alliance at https://www.lupusresearch.org/coronavirus-disease-info-for-people-with-lupus/ .

Given the seriousness of the situation, Lupus Colorado has put in place the following administrative guidelines that may affect you: As of Monday, March 16, the Lupus Colorado office will be closed until Monday, April 13. Our staff and volunteers will be working remotely to meet your needs. We will revisit the situation as appropriate and inform you of any updates. All Living Well with Lupus classes and Leadership training will be postponed until the summer. All committee meetings will be held via phone or Zoom video conferencing. If you are on our Walk Committee or had a planned meeting with staff, you will be contacted with further instructions. If you have an outstanding and completed application for assistance or utility funding, please be assured we are working to process your completed application within one business day.

We are indebted to our donors and sponsors, especially at this time. You have enabled us to continue our mission and serve the Lupus Community. Your support is critical now more than ever. Please donate to our expanded efforts to assist those at great risk for this disease. With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in our State, we need to help the most vulnerable of our community.

 Inez Robinson,
MNMLupus Colorado CEO