Lupus Foundation of Jamaica Celebrating 40 Years of Service

The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of dedicated service to improving the lives of persons affected by lupus across the country

Since its inception in 1984, the LFJ has been at the forefront of raising awareness, providing support and advocating for better healthcare for lupus patients as a volunteer-run, member-based, and donor-supported organisation.

President of the LFJ and Rheumatologist, Dr. Désirée Tulloch-Reid, told a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Tuesday (October 22) that the Foundation’s work over the years has always been grounded in collaboration.

“We are a diverse community of patients, medical professionals and volunteers, and for every challenge, there is a solution, and that solution involves all of us. Collaboration between patients, medical professionals and the wider community, especially the support of our media partners, our donors and our sponsors, has been essential to our continued relevance, effectiveness, resilience and endurance over the past 40 years,” she said.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has made significant strides in heightening public awareness about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects thousands of Jamaicans.

“In addition to the information programmes, the support programmes and monthly support groups, we’re also engaged in lots of advocacy. We are happy to say that our advocacy efforts have been fruitful, and we would be remiss not to express our appreciation to the Government of Jamaica, especially through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, for the recognition that they’ve given to the role of [this] community-based collaborative effort,” Dr. Tulloch-Reid noted.

Consequent on the LFJ’s work, persons afflicted with lupus have seen improved access to otherwise costly medical treatment, free of charge, in the public health sector.

“We’ve also seen, since 2019, that lupus was added to the list of conditions recognised by the National Health Fund to receive subsidies when filling prescriptions, and this has made a big difference to many patients in the cost of care in the private sector,” Dr. Tulloch-Reid pointed out.

As the LFJ looks to the future, the organisation remains focused on sustainability, effectiveness and growth.

“We see ourselves continuing to have the capacity, strength, stability and agility to meet the needs as they present themselves. The needs are changing, and we have to be in a position to help,” Dr. Tulloch-Reid stated.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the LFJ will host a special awards luncheon to honour persons who have contributed significantly to the fight against lupus.

“The public is invited. However, it is a time to celebrate and recognise the many people that have played a role, not just individuals, which may include patients and other persons, families and even our corporate community that have played a role in promoting our work,” Dr. Tulloch-Reid indicated.

The LFJ’s 40th Anniversary Awards Luncheon will be held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, October 31, beginning 12 noon.

For more information about the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica or to register to participate in its 40th anniversary events, visit lupusfoundationjamaica.org or call 876-778-3892.