Lupus Society of Alberta

For the LSA, the grace, flexibility, and complexity of the willow tree have come to represent the qualities people develop as they meet the challenges posed by lupus.

Just thinking about the beauty and endurance of the willow - bending but not breaking in the face of strong winds - can be an empowering image for those whose lives are affected by lupus.

The Faces of Lupus

The faces of lupus ....

Lupus is called 'the disease with a thousand faces' because the symptoms and course of the disease differ so much from person to person. Lupus affects people of all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds.

Any face could be the face of lupus.

Click here to take part in a 'Faces of Lupus' book project.

LSA is a member of Imagine Canada and participates in Imagine Canada's Ethical Code Program

Imagine Canada is a group that supports charities and nonprofits so they can, in turn, support the Canadians and communities they serve. Imagine Canada's Ethical Code Program sets standards for charitable organizations to manage and report their financial affairs responsibly. This is important because, as a donor, you are entitled to transparency and the greatest impact possible for your donation.

RESEARCH
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The Lupus Society of Alberta is keen to support lupus related research efforts.

It has provided grants for research being done right here in Alberta, collaborating with organizations such as the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, and we are also proud supporters of national lupus research initiatives.

With the establishment of CaNIOS (the Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) in 1995, lupus research now involves physicians, researchers and patients from Halifax to Vancouver. CaNIOS provides an opportunity for us to work together as lupus organizations and make the most out of our research dollars. Regionalization is not practical when applied to lupus research because the lupus patient base in Alberta alone is too small and lupus research dollars are limited.

Sources of funding for lupus research are in short supply and constantly required in a very competitive environment.

We need help from people like you to find better ways to treat lupus, improve the quality of life for people who have lupus and ultimately find a prevention or a cure.

Please refer to the donate and the fundraising pages for more information.

Research Funding Application

Please refer to the research funding application for more information about the grant application process.

The Dr. Ian Watson Memorial Award is a $1,000 annual research award presented by the Lupus Society of Alberta. The award is presented to the best lupus research paper submitted by a Rheumatology Fellow at the annual meeting of The Canadian Rheumatology Association Scientific Program.

Candidates for the award are required to submit a lupus research paper to the Canadian Rheumatology Association awards selection committee for review. In addition, recipients of the award are required to submit their winning research paper to the Lupus Society of Alberta for publication by the Society.

Dr. Ian Watson Memorial Award Recipients: