Alliance for Lupus Research


The Alliance for Lupus Research is an American voluntary health organization based in New York City whose mission is to find better treatments and ultimately prevent and cure systemic lupus erythematosus, a debilitating autoimmune disease, through supporting medical research. It was co-founded by philanthropist Woody Johnson, who is also the organization's chairman. As of 2013 the ALR's cumulative research commitment was $81,000,000.

History

The Alliance for Lupus Research was founded in 1999 and is chaired by Woody Johnson, a member of the founding family of Johnson & Johnson and owner of the New York Jets. The organizations's fundraising efforts include committing money to lupus research and charity walk-a-thons under the "Walk with Us to Cure Lupus" program, which raises funds and public awareness of the disease.

Research funding

The hallmark of ALR's operations are an emphasis on multidisciplinary science. A keen focus on research that can be moved quickly from the laboratory to a patient's bedside. Research funded by the ALR has included the 2008 International SLE Genetics Consortium, which identified several genes associated with lupus.
The Alliance for Lupus Research has given more money to lupus research than any non-governmental agency in the world. As of 2015 the ALR's cumulative research commitment was over $100,000,000. making it the largest lupus research organization and the only organization the funds lupus biomedical research internationally. One hundred percent of all donations from the public including donations in support of the "Walk with Us to Cure Lupus" program go directly to research programs because the ALR Board of directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs. ALR uses a peer review system to make all funding decisions.

Areas of research emphasis