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Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York
is a passion-driven, all volunteer 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by lupus. Founded in Utica, NY in 1976, our agency provides services to Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, and St. Lawrence counties in upstate New York with a service population of 618,012.
The secret to our success is simple, we have HEART! Our organization's volunteers and supporters have tremendous passion and dedication to the lupus cause. None of us are paid for the endless hours we give to this organization, yet we continue to do so out of a desire to make the world a better place. For some of us volunteering fills a void in our lives after lupus ravaged our dreams of being parents or having a career. For others it shows support for our loved ones suffering from this disease. No matter what the motivator is all of us here at Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York continue to move forward with optimism and hope for a brighter tomorrow for all in the lupus community.
Mission
The mission of Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York, Inc. is to improve the quality of life for those affected by lupus through advocacy, education, awareness, empowerment, and research.
The purposes of the organization include:
To encourage research to discover the causes and improve the methods of treating, diagnosing, preventing, and curing lupus erythematosus
To promote programs of public education and awareness about lupus
To provide patient education and encouraged moral support and understanding for lupus patients and their loved ones
To promote the exchange of knowledge about lupus and cooperate with the medical community to improve the standards of diagnosis, care, treatment, and services to those suffering from lupus
To advocate for those affected by lupus
To collaborate with other agencies and interested partners to serve the needs of the lupus community
To provide for such services that would benefit and improve the health and welfare of lupus patients
To raise, disburse, and administer funds in order to accomplish the aforementioned purposes
History
The Marguerite Curri L.E. Chapter was founded in 1976 by Peter & Dorothy Curri in memory of their daughter, Marguerite who passed away from complications of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 1968. The Chapter received its Charter from The City of Hope in Los Angeles and began with 150 charter members. In June of 1982 the Chapter became affiliated with the national organization, The Lupus Foundation of America, and amended its name to Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Marguerite Curri Chapter.
Angela "Aya" LoConti became one of the Chapter leaders along with Elizabeth Jones. They were both original charter members and contributed greatly to the chapter in every way. The Chapter Officers received The JC Penney Golden Rule Volunteer Award in 1998 as finalists, and a $1,000 donation to the organization in their honor. The chapter merged with The New York Southern Tier Chapter in March 1999 in order to meet national criteria. The merger was dissolved in March 2001 due to membership dissatisfaction and the revitalized organization began operating out of the Arntsen residence in Verona. In September of 2005 the Board of Directors voted to end its affiliation with the Lupus Foundation of America due to their recent adoption of new national affiliation criteria. The organization amended its name to Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York, Inc., and is now an independent charitable foundation. Research funding is presently given to The Lupus Research Institute in New York for novel, innovative research.
Board of Directors
Officers
Kathleen A. Arntsen President/CEO
James E. Mitchell Jr. Vice President
Philip A. Teague Treasurer
Stephanie. C. Darwak Secretary
David L. Arntsen Chairman
Board Members
Dale R. Bullock
Maryrose T. Bullock
Sandra M. Frear
Ellen C. Gloo
Jacqueline L. Taylor
Honorary Medical Advisory Board
Atul Butala, MD Hematologist
Gregory Cummings, MD Neurologist
Victoria Laucello, CSW Psychotherapist
Edward B. Lee, MD Dermatologist
Martin Morell, MD Rheumatologist
Khalid Parvaiz, MD Nephrologist
Donald Raddatz, MD Rheumatologist
Raquel Rosen, MD Nephrologist
Allan Smiley, MD Rheumatologist
Affiliations
Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York, Inc. is proud to be affiliated with:
Lupus Research Institute National Coalition
Lupus Agencies of New York State
National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups
NIAMS Coalition
Patient-Centered Quality Alliance
The NIAMS Lupus Federal Working Group
Community Health Charities of New York and
participates in:
- The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
- State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA)
- United Way and Employee Donor Plans
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