[R-G] Don't forget Lupus in the voting booth

[Hunter Gray]

NOTE BY HUNTER BEAR: 11/02/08

[Lupus has a preference for both men and women in certain "minority" categories -- Native, Chicano, Black -- and for Anglo women. Doesn't seem to care much for Anglo men.]  

A lady near us -- an ISU professor who recently moved into the neighborhood and who often takes Maria to St Joseph's Catholic Church -- has just called, unable to drive this morning. Although they are still testing her, it is likely she has Lupus. Down the road a short piece lives another very good neighbor, a young woman, LDS, close to Josie's age, who has been battling Lupus for years. [Unusual to have three cases of this close by in unrelated people.] I can only say that, in addition to all of the other reasons to vote Democratic, there is the fact that research monies into these relatively rare "orphan diseases" and other serious threats should increase substantially. At the very least, critical stem cell research should be greatly facilitated. Lupus is, of course, politically non-partisan: I understand that [Utah] Republican Senator Robert Bennett's daughter has it. He's been active in the Cause, supports the Utah/Idaho chaper of Lupus Foundation of America, to which we belong. H.