Toolkit

We have developed a number of tools and templates to help our volunteer advocates spread the word.

Your legislators, who receive many requests to support different causes, may have no connection to lupus or health issues. But you can educate them, which usually requires communicating regularly. By building a relationship – through letters, emails, phone calls, and visits – you have a much better chance of convincing them to support issues important to the lupus community.

Write a letter

Legislators receive many emails and letters from their constituents every day. Our Lupus Legislative Action Center provides template emails on specific issues we are advocating for and offers automated tools you can use to email your legislators directly. Or you can use our templates to guide your own handwritten personalized letters, which are the most influential.

Sample Letter

Meet with Congress

You can have a particular impact by meeting in person with your representative or senators in Washington D.C. or in their local offices.

Your own story is your best tool to advocate for the lupus community. You may only have 10 to 15 minutes in which to tell your story and explain what issues or legislation are important to you, and why they are important for the district or state the elected official represents.

Find Your Representative

Create a Proclamation

People must know about lupus to understand the challenges it presents. Increasing awareness is an important part of our advocacy work. One way to do that is by getting a proclamation from a state or city official, such as a governor, mayor, or city council member.

May is Lupus Awareness Month – a great time to have a proclamation. Keep in mind it can take months to get a proclamation so make sure you start early. If you have a relationship with a state or city legislator, you can ask them for assistance and support in obtaining a proclamation.

Proclamation Text