Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus - Supporting Those with Lupus in the Northwest

    PORTLAND, OR, February 10, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women between the ages of 15 and 45 and it appears that African American, Latina, Asian, and Native American women are at greater risk of getting lupus than Caucasian women. Of course anyone can get lupus, however about 9 out of 10 adults with lupus are women ages 15 to 45. Because this disease tends to affect women more often, Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus has worked to make access, understanding and support a priority for women (and men) in the Northwest. Visit their web site for more information at www.MollysFund.org.

Lupus can be a real challenge for women who aren't getting the care, treatment and diagnosis they need. Medicines are expensive, getting a lupus diagnosis can take years, and in most cases, those with lupus are in such pain with severe symptoms it leaves them unable to work, hence having no health insurance and few financial resources as well. It can be a vicious cycle and one that can lead to death. All of these hardships make getting treatment very, very difficult, plus add in the difficulty of depression - a common outcome for many dealing with the adversity of diagnosis, treatment and loss of lifestyle.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects over 1.4 million Americans (and 5 million world wide), whose symptoms include pain, rashes, and intense fatigue. In essence the body's anti-bodies attack tissues and organs causing intense damage and severe pain. No one in medical community fully understands this genetic "confusion" and only recently have new pharmaceuticals hit the market.

Molly's Fund was created to build awareness about lupus, educate those with the disease, be a resource and guide for those needing help in the Northwest. Additionally, the organization is adept at getting social security assistance education out to those who really need to navigate the system.

They also have created online support groups, have a very active Facebook community, and are diligent about building awareness in the medical community for earlier diagnosis. "Early diagnosis is the key to living with the disease and surviving," said Molly McCabe, founder and namesake of Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus. "The longer it takes to get on a treatment plan, the higher the risk of fatality or permanent damage."

About Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus:
Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus is a lupus awareness nonprofit, whose mission is to educate the public and the medical community about lupus, to push for earlier, life-saving diagnoses for those afflicted, and to spur governments and foundations to fund research toward a cure.

Website: http://www.mollysfund.org

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