CFL SDF Awards 2012 Press release

02 Februari 2012

Press
Release                                                                                               Jakarta,
19 January 2012

 

An Award to Encourage Research on Lupus Treatment

 

This is the second year for this award
that aims to encourage various types of research into supplementary therapy for
Lupus. This award was established by the Syamsi Dhuha Foundation (SDF), or
Morning Light Foundation, a non-profit organization that is focused on Lupus
and those living with the disease. The award itself will be bestowed on May 5,
2012, at the height of the World
Lupus Day (WLD)
observance at the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB). This is what prompted SDF to invite
other parties, such as the Indonesian Institute for Sciences (LIPI), to collaborate
with them. “We’re
trying to continue the Care for
Lupus SDF Awards 2012, which was started last year to encourage a variety of
research into organic substances, such as medicinal plants, which may be
suitable as supplements and contribute to the global effort to find safe and
effective therapy of Lupus. We
intend on continuing with this award annually so as to improve the quality of
life for those with Lupus,” said Eko Pratomo, the SDF
founder, today at the LIPI headquarters in Jakarta.

Prof. Dr Lukman Hakim MSc PhD Apt,, the
head of LIPI declared, “We welcome this initiative from SDF to pioneer various
types of research to improve the quality of life for those with Lupus and fully
support it by promoting this program and looking into the possibility of
collaboration for further research that may be needed. It is our pleasure to be
a part of a program that is so needed by the community.”

“Globally, more than five
million people who are still of a productive age have been diagnosed with Lupus
(Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).
Lupus is a
chronic autoimmune disease that can affect almost any organ or system in the
form of inflammation as well as be life threatening. People with Lupus must
take an assortment of medicine for an extended period of time, perhaps even for the rest
of their lives. It isn’t uncommon for them to experience
side effects
that may be worse than the disease itself, even fatal. The figures for those
with Lupus in Indonesia are still unconfirmed, but is estimated at over 300,000
people,” informed Rachmat Gunadi SpPD-KR, a doctor particularly concerned with Lupus.

The Care For Lupus SDF Awards 2012
consists of three
categories:

1.   
Research
Sponsorship –
intended for planned research as well as further research:

a.   
Medication/supplements,
meaning research related to using organic substances found in Indonesia as
supplementary therapy in the treatment of control of Lupus.

b.   
 All
about Lupus, meaning research regarding any range of aspects aimed at improving
the quality of life for those with Lupus,

2.   
Writing
Competition – intended for writing pieces regarding Lupus that have or will have an impact on
raising awareness and concern for Lupus,

3.   
Lifetime
Achievement – intended for an institution, an
organization or a person who, through their efforts, has contributed to raising
concern for Lupus and those living with it. 

 

The deadline for
submission of research proposals/recommendations through sdf_awards@syamsidhuhafoundation.org : 31 March 2012. For terms and
criteria:  (www.syamsidhuhafoundation.org).

With the presentation of
the Care for Lupus
SDF Awards 2012, which honors
researchers, institutions, volunteers, and the media outlets that have facilitated efforts to increase the public’s
awareness and concern in the treatment or control of Lupus, it
is hoped that Indonesian researchers will be more motivated to embark on
original, innovative, and applicative research. In addition, this award aspires
to bring added value in developing therapies to improve the quality of living
for those with Lupus,” explained I Ketut Adnyana PhD, Apt, a representative from the Research Sponsorship judge panel. It is expected
that Care for Lupus
SDF Awards 2012 will also be able to bolster the
public role, especially that of the media, in boosting publicity so as to raise
awareness and concern through essays and other publications.

These appeals to raise
public concern, improve treatment, and develop methods of controlling Lupus also
come from Dr. Bogie Soedjatmiko Msc., Director of Bureau for Cooperation and
Promotion of Science with LIPI, which supports the advancement of research to
improve the quality of living for those with Lupus. “Through the publicity
facilitated by LIPI, we would like to gather prospective researchers in
Indonesia to collaborate in this mission of compassion that can help elevate
the life expectancy of those with Lupus, who are mostly women of a productive
age.”

At the height of the WLD
2012 observance, the theme ‘Never give up’
will be raised in several events, including a free Lupus consultation, an ‘All about Lupus’ talk show, a ‘Beautiful Indonesia’ art performance, an
exhibition and a bazaar. “It isn’t easy to live with Lupus, especially in
Indonesia where not all of those with Lupus are able to have easy access to
healthcare facilities like insurance or can afford the relatively expensive
medication and laboratory tests. There’s also the unpredictability of their condition
due to inflammation as the Lupus has not gone into remission, which results in
frequent hospital trips for their treatment. Managing the disease covers not
only physical, but also financial and psychological aspects. That is why we
chose the theme ‘Never give up’ last
year for the WLD 2012 observance,” said Dian Syarief, the SDF Head, who also
has Lupus.

Furthermore, Shiane
Hanako, a doctor and a manager for SDF added, “In relation to WLD 2012, SDF is
also holding a program titled Lupus
Goes to Campus and to School at several universities and high
schools in Bandung. Education and public awareness programs for Lupus are
always endeavored by SDF so that the community can obtain fundamental information about Lupus and its
symptoms, which often mimic other diseases and may therefore become
life-threatening.

For
further information, feel free to contact:

·        
dr. Shiane Hanako, SDF Manager, M : 081283151547, email
: shiane_hanako@yahoo.com

·        
Dr.
Bogie Soedjatmiko Msc., Director of Bureau for Cooperation and Promotion of
Science with LIPI, M : 0817 614 315, email : bogi002@lipi.go.id

·        
Dian
Syarief, Head of SDF, M
: 0813 2050 9446, email: end@cbn.net.id