Ronald Reagan

“ In order for us to take advantage of the knowledge already gained, public awareness of the symptoms and treatment of lupus-and of the need for continuing scientific research-remains essential. The Federal government and private voluntary organizations have developed a strong and enduring partnership committed to research on lupus. Working together, our objective must be to uncover the cause and find a cure for this devastating disease. ”

“ Systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as lupus or SLE) is an inflammatory disease of connective tissue, which can produce changes in the structure and function of the skin, joints, and internal organs. The exact cause of lupus is unknown, but evidence suggests that the disease may result from a disorder in the body's production of antibodies (proteins that fight invading organisms) . In lupus, abnormal antibodies are produced that react against the patient's own tissue. More than 500,000 Americans have the disease. Ninety percent of these victims are women in their childbearing years. ”

“ In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh. ”