Beat Lupus

Speaking:

Invite Regan to speak at your next event.

Regan is a public speaker.  She has spoken on behalf of lupus patients in front of congresspersons and senators on Capitol Hill.  Regan also speaks on behalf of the Chronic Care Coalition as a representative of the Lupus Foundation of Colorado. 

Regan has participated in the efforts of the Lupus Research Institute.  These efforts have resulted in new legislation – in 2010 a bill was passed that supports education of medical students across the United States about lupus.  Early diagnosis of lupus is critical; therefore doctor-education is critical.  Regan enjoys speaking about health reform and ways in which caregivers and patients can help mitigate chronic illnesses including auto-immune disease.

To have Regan speak at your next event, please call 720-470-8049 or send an email to:  rmizuno@comcast.net.

 

Past Speaking Engagements: 

 

· March 3-4 2010:  Lupus Research Institute Advocacy Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.

· Sept. 15 09:  Lupus Research Institute Advocacy Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.

· October 1 09:  Chronic Care Collaborative political forum, Denver, Colorado.

 

Regan is a lobbyist on Capitol Hill and a pulic speaker:  invite Regan to speak at your next event:  303 723 0765 | rmizuno@comcast.net.

 

Become a lobbyist on Capitol Hill: 

 

Advocacy is crucial.  It is the belief of the medical and research community that this disease has the potential to be cured.  Currently, there is no cure; in fact, no new drugs have been approved for lupus in 50 years.  Moreover, no drug has ever been specifically developed for lupus as a dedicated “lupus drug”.  Lupus is currently treated with drugs that were initially designed to treat other diseases such as cancer (cytoxan) and malaria (plaquenil).

 

More people have lupus than have MS and AIDS combined.  Despite its prevalence, it is not well known amongst the general population.  Lupus affects approximately 1 in every 185 people in the United States alone and over 1.5 million Americans suffer from it.  90% are women.  Lupus usually first appears between ages of 15 and 45.  A large majority of women affected by lupus are women of color.

 

Regan feels she is an exception for two reasons:  one, she doesn’t quite fit the physical profile, and, two, she has done extremely well physically.  Most lupus patients are not so lucky.  The majority of lupus patients suffer significant pain, fatigue, and listlessness.

 

Regan feels healthy and energetic and wants to help other people find their own ways to reclaim their health, find their true path and unique methods for what works for them, and help raise awareness.  Working with law makers has had a large impact on lupus education.  Regan, with the Lupus Research Institute (www.lupusresearchinstitute.org), has spoken with national representatives on behalf of lupus education and has seen the results.  Congress has created a medical student curriculum, wherein med students are taught about lupus early on in their student career.  Previously, there was no curriculum on lupus.  The curriculum will kick off in 2010.  This legislation is very impactful, as early diagnosis is the key to proper treatment that can save lives and save quality of life.  Regan received an early diagnosis and prompt, correct treatment.  The more our doctors know about lupus, the better the outcome will be for lupus patients.  More funding is needed to continue this curriculum.  

 

You can help by participating in this blitz on Capitol Hill.  Become a lobbyist, join Regan and hundreds of other patients in this exciting and productive endeavor, and enjoy speaking out for lupus.  Contact me at rmizuno@comcast.net or get in touch with the Lupus Research Institute (www.lupusresearchinstitute.org). 

 

During the lobbying, additional requests were made:  increased funding to the National Institutes for Health, and FDA authority to approve (or deny) bio-similar drugs (generic infusion medications).  Regan’s goal is to raise awareness about lupus through music and advocacy.  If you would like to participate, you can listen to “It’s My Time”.  You can hear it at www.myspace.com/ReganSings.  Regan would like to raise $1,000.00 for the Lupus Foundation of Colorado (LFC).  The LFC provides research funding to local and national scientists and organizations, including the Lupus Research Institute (LRI), who, together, create and grow novel lupus research.  It is this research that holds the key to lupus’ cure and is culminating in great promise.