WHAT: National leaders in lupus research will gather to discuss the latest scientific discoveries about this autoimmune disease and what they mean for the current and future management of lupus. Panel discussions will include: the future of lupus clinical trials, patient participation in clinical trials, and how lupus affects special populations.
WHY: To inform, energize, and share the excitement about the future of lupus research with patients and their families, physicians, health care workers, scientists, and organizations that are involved in lupus research and outreach.
HOSTS: The Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office on Women's Health at the HHS, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the NIH, HHS have organized this conference. Eleven HHS components and eight voluntary organizations are co-sponsoring the meeting. Please see page 2 for complete list of sponsors and co-sponsors for the event.*
WHEN: Friday, September 5, 2003, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 6, 2003, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel 2660 Woodley Road, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 328-2000
INFO: More information about this conference, including registration, brochure, and special accommodations information, are available on the ORWH website, at http://www4.od.nih.gov/orwh/. Registration deadline is August 25, 2003.

*Complete List of Conference Sponsors and Co-sponsors:

Sponsors: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Office on Women's Health, Office of the Secretary
Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health, NIH
National Institute of Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH

Co-Sponsors:
Office of Minority Health, Office of the Secretary, HHS
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH, HHS
National Center for Research Resources, NIH, HHS
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, HHS
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, HHS
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS
Office of Women's Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HHS
Office of Women's Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, HHS

Alliance for Lupus Research
American Autoimmune-Related Diseases Association
Arthritis Foundation
Lupus Clinical Trials Consortium, Inc.
Lupus Foundation of America
Lupus Research Institute
Rheuminations, Inc.
S.L.E. Foundation, Inc.