What We Do

The Michigan Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure. The foundation provides financial and informational resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Officially named the “Lupus Alliance of America, Michigan Indiana Affiliate,” the MI Lupus Foundation has been continually serving Michigan and northern Indiana since 1974 and is working to build a brighter future for all lupus patients and their families.

Advocacy

The Michigan Lupus Foundation is advocating to improve the patient experience with health insurance, medications and disability rights in the state of Michigan. We are actively engaged in advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels by joining national and state coalitions to help improve the quality of life for those living with lupus. We encourage patients to share their own stories with their legislators to make their voices heard.

Support Groups

MI Lupus Foundation offers support groups for lupus patients and their families and friends. Support groups provide an opportunity for lupus warriors to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies and firsthand information about living with lupus. Current support groups are help virtually on Zoom twice a month. Attendees can expect to receive lupus related information, emotional support and friendship. Doctors and other professionals often join as guest speakers to address specific topics and concerns. Support groups are essential to let lupus patients know they’re not alone in their pain, grief, and experiences.

Financial Assistance

The Lupus Love Project is an emergency grant program facilitated by the Michigan Lupus Foundation to help those impacted by lupus with financial burdens posed by this debilitating chronic disease. The average annual direct and indirect costs incurred by a person with lupus can exceed $30,000, which is higher per person than those living with rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or asthma. In accordance with the MLF’s mission, the Lupus Love Project is intended to relieve the immediate financial aid concerns of lupus patients by providing grants of up to $400 per year for medical-related expenses. Grants must be directly related to the treatment of lupus or a lupus-related emergency. The assistance is intended for emergency and non-recurring personal or living expenses created by a sudden loss of job, loss of disability benefits, delay in public assistance, personal trauma or tragedy, overwhelming medical expenses including procedures and medications not covered by insurance, etc.

Research

The MI Lupus Foundation is committed to supporting scientific and medical lupus research at local and national levels. One of the MI Lupus Foundation’s prime accomplishments has been to work collaboratively with the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) in its novel efforts to find better ways to treat and hopefully cure lupus.

Symposiums

Every year the Michigan Lupus Foundation hosts symposiums with several guest speakers, a panel, break-out sessions and group discussions. Rheumatologists, physicians, dieticians, and experts in lupus research speak on lupus related topics. Past symposiums have been held in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Toledo and Traverse City, plus a virtual symposium during the pandemic.

Awareness Walks

Awareness walks are popular fundraisers focused on fighting or curing pervasive diseases or ailments. Participation is often promoted as a symbol of empowerment, remembrance, or awareness of sufferers and their friends and family. The MI Lupus Foundation hosts several walks per year to raise awareness about lupus and donate toward finding a cure.