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November 2001 Volume 1, Number 2 |
Promotes Governor's Project
Linda Simon, Health Committee Chair
Health is one of Soroptimist's six programs of service. The focus of the Health Committee is to promote awareness of all women's health issues. Governor Carol's focus for the biennium is on Lupus.
What is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease where the immune system, for unknown reasons becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue. This attack results in inflammation and brings about symptoms.
There are three types of lupus. They are:
Systemic - attacks multiple systems in the body which may include; skin, joints, lungs, blood, blood vessels, heart, kidneys, liver, brain and the nervous system.
Drug-induced - may develop within weeks to months after taking certain drugs.
For more information on Lupus go to the world wide web and type in lupus.org. There is a wealth of information on this site.
To become a member of the Programs of Service committee you submit you interest to the governor-elect before she becomes governor. You are appointed by the incoming Governor in the first year of the biennium and serve a two year term. The responsibilities of the Health committee are:
- To promote the current Federation project which is the SI Quadrennial Project. This project partners with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The project provides assistance to victims of antipersonnel landmines - largely women & children. It also supplies artificial limbs to landmine victims in Georgia, Angola and Afghanistan. The project also promotes psychological and physical recovery and helps the victims regain mobility and dignity.
- To promote the Governor's project.
- Focus on all women's health issues.