I'll Be There. Will You?

Well, I've sorted out how I get to the Lupus 2017 Patient Education Conference, which is being run in
conjunction with the World Lupus Federation's International Conference on SLE.

It's happening in Melbourne on the 29th of March, this year.

I squeezed my financial budget to its last breath and managed to book flights and accommodation.  Next, I have to watch the other budget - the energy budget, to make sure I can handle the flights to Melbourne and back.  I've got another conference (not lupus-related) a couple of days earlier, so I am going to have to be very careful to not overdo things.

If you're wondering why I'm excited to go to this event, here is a copy of the agenda:

Preliminary Agenda

08:30-10:30 - Outcome measures and treatment targets in SLE
 (in Hall Melbourne 1)

(This session is part of the International Congress on SLE & Asian Congress on Autoimmunity. Individuals registered for the Lupus Patient Conference may attend this session, if desired.)



1.             Dafna Gladman - Measuring disease activity and damage in SLE

2.             Andrea Doria - Remission as a treatment target in SLE

3.             Mandana Nikpour - Low disease activity as a treatment target in SLE



10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee Break



11:00-12:30 - Patient Program Module 1: What we have learned about the lupus?

Chair: Barbara Ward



1.            Eric Morand - Causes, Pathways and Progression of Lupus 

2.            Brad Rovin - Challenge and triumph of kidney disease in SLE 

3.            Ian Bruce - Cardiovascular risk in SLE 

4.            Susan Walker - Pregnancy journey



12:30 - 13:30 Patient Program Module 2: The changing outlook for treatment of lupus

Chair: Sandra Navarra



(A light boxed lunch will be provided to all registered participants.)



1.             Joan Merrill - Current therapies and changing perspective on managing lupus 

2.             Richard Furie - Overview of new therapies in development for lupus 



13:30-15:00 Patient Program Module 3: Living and coping with lupus

Chair: Michelle Leech



This session features a discussion forum among a panel of lupus medical experts and people living with lupus.  The panel members will share stories and successful strategies for living and coping with lupus.  Bring your questions, and let our experts help you answer them.



A/Prof Davinder Singh-Grewal - Pediatric rheumatologist, Westmead Children's Hospital

Dr. Peter Gowdie - Pediatric rheumatologist and general pediatrician, Monash Children's Hospital

Dr. Kathy Nicholls - Nephrologist, Royal Melbourne Hospital



15:00-15:30 - Break



15:30 - 17:00 - Patient Program Module 4: Resources for patients with lupus and their families

Co-Chairs: Barbara Ward and Duane Peters

1.             Local resources for people with lupus featuring representatives of Australian groups

2.             Self-help resources - Dian Syarief, Syamsi Dhuha Foundation presenting on Exercise DVD and App

3.             Australian Lupus Group Collaboration - Discussion among representatives of Australian lupus about collaborative efforts to raise awareness of lupus and provide support services and advocacy to help individuals and families affected by lupus. 

4.             World Lupus Federation - Information about global efforts to address lupus around the world.

5.             Closing remarks - Duane Peters & Barbara Ward

It looks interesting, doesn't it?  I think it's going to be really informative. And it's going to be an adventure, because I'm going on an interstate trip totally unsupervised. There will be no-one making sure I take my pills, or checking that what I'm saying and doing makes sense.

So after the conference, I should have some great stories to tell you  on this blog:  either something really informative that I've learned at the conference, or some great adventure that brain fog has lead me on when no-one was checking up on me...

Unless I get lost in an airport or something, I will definitely be there.  Will you?

Conference details and registration: http://www.lupus2017.org/registration-accommodation/register-here#.WKkWIxJ95-U