Programs Available to Help Support Those Living with Lupus

    BELLMORE, NY, February 11, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Lupus Alliance of Long Island/Queens has been helping those with lupus in the Long Island/Queens communities since 1955. With a steadfast mission, of improving the lives of those living with lupus through awareness, education, support services and research and the Alliance has continually been the only local resource for families whose lives have been affected by lupus.

In following that mission, the Lupus Alliance of LIQ offers several support groups in varying locations throughout Long Island and Queens to help those who not only are already living with this life-threatening disease but also those who are newly diagnosed and need information, support and a comforting hand.

Support groups meet once a month on Tuesday evenings and are located at St. Catherine of Sienna in Suffolk, Plainview Hospital in Nassau, NSLIJ Forest Hills Hospital in Queens and a new daytime group is now being offered on the last Wednesday of the month at the LALIQ office in Bellmore.

Kristin, an attendee of the LALIQ support groups stated, "No one understands lupus quite like another person who has it. It has been great to meet others through the LALIQ support groups and learn how they cope with this disease on a day to day basis."

The LALIQ Support groups are free of charge and are led by trained volunteer facilitators who understand the difficulties that are faced by those who live with lupus every day. Those with lupus, family, and even friends are welcome to attend any of the groups. To view a full schedule of topics and locations, or to register for a group please visit www.lupusliqueens.org/programs/supportgroups.

To further reach out to those who are in need of support, the LALIQ has started a new program in 2016, the Lupus Friend program. The Lupus Friend Program aims to create, nurture and sustain an environment in which lupus patients can share their experience and knowledge by paring relatively experienced patients with relatively new ones, becoming "lupus friends."

This free program will strive to match "friends" with a compatible partner who can spend time speaking to them on the phone to offer support. Ideal candidates for this program include experienced patients who feel that others can benefit from their experience, newly diagnosed patients who feel they would benefit from the help of someone who has experience living with the disease. This program is designed for those who may not be able to get out to attend a support group or feel more comfortable sharing their experience and feelings one-on-one rather than in a group. To sign up for this program please visit www.lupusliqueens.org/programs/lupusfriends.

The Lupus Alliance of Long Island/Queens was started out of the kitchens of dedicated volunteers whose lives were touched by lupus. We have been helping those with lupus and their families since 1955. Located in Bellmore, New York, our goal is simple; to serve, educate and find the cause and cure for lupus, while helping those with lupus live better lives.

Our members range in age from 10-80 years old, some who have lupus, some who have lupus in their families and others who have a friend or even an acquaintance who has lupus. Yearly, we receive over 200 volunteers who help us with mailings, events and more. Our relationship with many local businesses and schools has been strong over the years, and the numbers continue to grow, although the need for more corporate help from Long Island based businesses is always needed.

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