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OMRF to host lupus lecture in Spanish

Oklahoma City, November 12, 2008 – As growing numbers of Latino Oklahomans find themselves facing a lifetime with lupus, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is offering a free Spanish-language seminar to discuss the disease, dangers and treatments. The Spanish-language lecture will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Crossroads Mall.

OMRF rheumatologist and research scientist Juan-Manuel Anaya, M.D., will discuss the disease and its effect on the Hispanic community and provide updates on the latest advances in lupus research.

Lupus is a chronic, relapsing disease in which the immune system begins attacking the body instead of fighting infections and disease.

Lupus can affect any part of the body and can be life-threatening. The disease, which has no known cure, occurs in about 31 out of every 100,000 people and affects women nine times more frequently than men. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, in the United States, it strikes Latinos, African Americans, Asians and American Indians more often than Caucasians.

“Because Latinos develop lupus in greater numbers than the general population, we feel it is important to spread the word about lupus through the community and teach people to recognize its symptoms,” said Anaya. “In addition, we want to encourage Latinos to take charge of their health and teach their families and friends to be more aware of lupus. Those who attend will also receive information about participating in our research studies to help us learn more about this disease.”

Along with the lupus lecture, Insure Oklahoma, a state-supported group that helps small businesses and individuals secure health insurance, will also present a talk on Medical Insurance in Oklahoma.

The lecture will be held at the Centro Cultural Hispano at Crossroads Mall, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Other lecture sponsors include the Oklahoma Chapter—Lupus Foundation of America and the Arthritis Foundation of Oklahoma.

For more information, contact Dr. Anaya at 405-271-7479.

About lupus
Lupus occurs when the body confuses pieces of itself for foreign invaders like germs. It most commonly strikes the skin, joints, blood and kidneys, although it can attack any part of the body. The disease, which can be fatal, affects as many as 2 million Americans and 15 million people worldwide.

About OMRF
OMRF  (omrf.org) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease. Chartered in 1946, its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease.

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