INGLEWOOD, September, 25 2007 - Assemblymember Curren Price (D-Inglewood) is pleased that
his colleagues supported Assembly Joint Resolution 34, which designates the month of October as
National Lupus Awareness Month, in order to bring attention to a widespread disease with
unexplained health disparities.  This resolution raises awareness about the symptoms of lupus and
encourages research into its causes and a potential cure.

Lupus is a prototypical autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s cells, tissues and organs, most usually harming the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain.  It is commonly known as a “women’s disease”, because men rarely contract lupus.  It occurs two to three times more frequently in African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans, and affects 1.5 to 2 million Americans nationally.  Currently, there is no known cure for lupus, and, in the last forty years, the FDA has not approved any new treatments for lupus.

During the month of October, Assemblymember Price will work closely with Inglewood’s Center for Lupus Care, local physicians and national lupus organizations, to ensure that awareness of this devastating disease is heightened.  “Dedicating the month of October to lupus awareness is a good start,” said Price.  “It is my sincere hope that the momentum generated in October inspires a permanent movement to educate the public, fund needed research and, ultimately, find a cure for lupus.”  

Assemblymember Price will be disseminating brochures about lupus, meeting with physicians that specialize in lupus treatment and attending lupus support group meetings in the coming weeks.  On October 16th, local lupus patients, led by Liz Shaw-Stabler, Executive Director of Center for Lupus Care, and Assemblymember Price, will stand together to “Choose Life.”  On October 20th, Price   will serve as Honorary Chair Person at a “Day of Information” for lupus patients, family and friends, at Centinela Hospital.

For more information about lupus and National Lupus Awareness Month, please visit Assemblymember Price’s website at http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a51/. 

Assemblymember Curren Price serves the 51st Assembly District, which includes Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Playa Vista, Westchester, Lawndale, West Athens, Lennox, Alondra Park, West Compton, Del Aire, and Willowbrook, as well as portions of the unincorporated area of Ladera.