Lupus is Life Threatening.

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue such as the heart, liver, kidneys, brain, lungs, and skin. 

Lupus affects people all over the world, in every population, and is more common in people of color. It occurs in both men and women, although 90% of those diagnosed are women between the childbearing ages of 14 and 45 years old.

​Lupus patients often suffer from joint pain and fatigue, and are susceptible to infection. They also fight chronic skin disorders ranging from painful rashes to blistering spots largely found on the face, neck, arms and back. It can be challenging to get the skin under control.

Lupus affects as many as 1 in 210 people. It is more common than AIDS, MS, cystic fibrosis, and sickle-cell combined. 

In just a few years, LRF has raised over $550,000 and has funded research programs at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and the Colton Center for Autoimmunity at NYU Langone Medical Center.

LRF is partnering with Dr. Timothy Niewold, 
​a world renowned research rheumatologist and geneticist.

On August 29, 2019, AstraZeneca published positive results from a Phase III clinical trial involving interferon. It achieved a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful reduction in disease activity versus placebo.

​Dr. Niewold has been working on the interferon pathway most of his career, and his work was influential in the development of the drug and design of the trial.

About the Founder

Regan Birr, founder of the Lupus Research Foundation lives with lupus. ​

With a diagnosis of severe kidney involvement due to lupus, Regan needed immediate attention. Her treatment was 2.5 years of a breast cancer chemotherapy called Cytoxan, although she did not have breast cancer. The goal was to suppress her over-active immune system to prevent it from attacking her kidneys. 

​Early diagnosis saved Regan’s life. However, she continued to feel ill and experience severe joint pain, the kind that kept her up all night, and required the use of a cane. Having a weak body amplified her frustration  and depression, and desperation set in.

Regan’s journey toward good health took nearly a decade. She has since recovered and enjoys a high quality of life and remission. But she realizes that most others aren’t so lucky. That is why she is so passionate about finding a cure, so others won't have to suffer as she did. With her husband Todd, they created the Lupus Research Foundation (LRF). 

Regan Birr
Founder & Executive Director
Lupus Research Foundation
720.470.8049 
ReganBirr@gmail.com
​www.LetsCureLupus.org

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Regan shares, "I am the founder of the Lupus Research Foundation and I live with lupus. With my husband, world bronze medalist Todd Birr, we do this so no other will ever experience the pain, desperation and deep depression that I did. 

It is our mission to cure lupus in seven years. ​We are so close to creating a cure for lupus. With your help we will."