The Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter Honors Richmond Physician

The Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter is pleased to announce The Walk to End Lupus Now in Richmond, Virginia on October 15, 2016. The Lupus Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all those affected by lupus through education, advocacy, and outreach. Being the leading non-profit health organization dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus, the purpose of this event is to raise awareness and money to provide patient programs and services.

As part of the Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter’s Walk to End Lupus Now, the Foundation is pleased to announce local Pediatric Rheumatologist, Sarah E.T. Hoffmann, MD as our Medical Honoree. The Medical Honorees is a physician who is committed to raising awareness about the effects of lupus on diagnosed individuals and raising funds to support research, education, and advocacy programs. Dr. Hoffmann is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rheumatology at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. She began working with the Lupus Foundation to organize events for patients. Her goal for her patients is to manage their disease and have their symptoms under control so they can focus on learning and playing.

Dr. Hoffmann was inspired to subspecialize in Pediatric Rheumatology because of the continuity of care that her field requires. The nature of rheumatologic diseases, including lupus, requires close follow-up to control and manage symptoms. Dr. Hoffmann enjoys getting to know her patients personally and gets the most satisfaction of seeing one of her patients walk in for an appointment smiling because they are feeling great and their disease is under control. Children and adolescents have unique needs in treatment for lupus because they are constantly growing and developing. Of the 1.5 million people in the US who are diagnosed with systemic lupus, 20 percent are children and adolescents. Childhood lupus is often more severe than adult cases. Childhood lupus can affect a number of different organs, and Dr. Hoffmann emphasizes how important it is to work closely with other sub-specialists to take a multidisciplinary approach in order to provide the best care she can for kids with Lupus and other rheumatologic conditions.

Dr. Hoffmann is focused on providing great care for the children of Virginia affected by lupus. She wants to continue to research pediatric lupus through her involvement in Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). "I am proud to support my patients and raise awareness of pediatric lupus by participating in the Richmond Walk to End Lupus Now." We honor her dedication to her patients and the Lupus Foundation.

ABOUT THE WALK TO END LUPUS NOW
Walk to End Lupus Now™ events are conducted nationwide by the Lupus Foundation of America to raise money for innovative lupus research, better awareness, and improved critical free education and services for the more than 80,000 adults and children living with lupus in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Walk day is a powerful experience that provides the local lupus community with hope, comradery and renewed energy to overcome challenges associated with this cruel mysterious disease. Learn more at richmondlupuswalk16.kintera.org

ABOUT LUPUS
Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with and a challenge to treat. Lupus is a cruel mystery because it is hidden from view and undefined, has a range of symptoms, strikes without warning, and has no known cause and no known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack. Lupus is debilitating and destructive and can be fatal, yet research on lupus has not kept pace with research for other diseases of similar scope and devastation.

ABOUT THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
The Lupus Foundation of America is the only national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world’s cruelest, most unpredictable and devastating diseases, while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. Through a comprehensive program of research, education, and advocacy, the Foundation leads the fight to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. Learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.