By - The Department of Immunology and Rheumatology at St. John's Hospital
Lupus Story
Over last 2 decades or so, a large lupus cohort has amassed at St Johns. There is a special clinic held every Tuesday morning for Lupus patients where they are given special attention. SLE patients require multidisciplinary care since lupus involves many organs. The hospital has the benefit of extremely competent doctors across specialties including nephrology, dermatology and ICU, thereby ensuring patients get the best of care. St. John’s hospital is committed to providing quality care at affordable prices.
Since SLE is a chronic disease, stress and emotional turmoil is enormous on both patients as well as their families & care provides. The economic consequences of a chronic illness are manifold too. Medical Social Worker (MSW) team at St. John’s are always ready to offer a helping hand. The MSW team along with Lupus patients and families have started a lupus support group where individuals with lupus and their care providers can engage with each other to share experiences, find emotional support and discuss strategies for coping with the daily challenges of the disease. The ultimate goal is to strengthen patients to help each other and work unitedly for the cause of this disease.
Patients with autoimmune diseases like lupus suffer due to lack of awareness both within and outside medical fraternity. These diseases may be devastating and difficult to treat. Patients require prolonged treatment with expensive immunomodulators. Unfortunately, there is no support for these patients from Government authorities. They deserve our empathy and support.
‘Support a Lupus Family’ is an emotive campaign to care for a family suffering from strain and anxiety of a chronic illness in a young individual during their productive years of life. Not only financial support but guidance at critical time points in life will empower these individuals to lead a productive life. This is a plea to involve in our endeavour and encourage and empower lupus families.
Financial contributions from generous contributors will go a long way in saving their especially during critical dips in disease course. Donors will be beneficiary for tax purpose via 80g exception.