|
Find Your Lupus Buddy!The Lupus Buddy Program aims to create, nurture and sustain an environment in which patients can share their experience and knowledge by pairing relatively experienced patients with newly diagnosed patients—the "lupus buddies."
|
The Lupus Buddy Program strives to:
- Identify, target and recruit patients who may benefit from a lupus buddy.
- Survey potential participants for key information in a confidential manner.
- Organize interested patients into compatible pairs.
- Facilitate initial meetings and communication within each pair.
- Provide follow-up and other support to program participants and allow for natural evolution or re-pairing of buddies.
- Provide buddy pairs with resources and techniques to increase lupus awareness in their communities.
- Keep the program and its participants up-to-date with the latest best practices and research.
You may be a candidate for the Lupus Buddy Program if:
- You're an experienced patient and feel that others can benefit from your experience.
- You're just starting to learn about lupus and feel that you'd benefit from the help of someone who has experience going through the same things you are.
- You would like to go to a lupus support group, but one isn't available in your community.
- You feel more comfortable sharing your experience and feelings one-on-one rather than in a group.
- You want to expand your support network to include someone who's been hand-picked to match your experience.
The 3 C's of Being Great Lupus Buddies
These guiding principles function to direct how we pair buddies, and how our buddies interact with one another. Our priority is to create a space that is safe and comfortable for all buddies.
CommunicationWe believe developing clear communication and understanding is the first key to fostering a great lupus buddy relationship.
|
ConfidentialityAny information buddies choose to share with the Lupus Foundation of Northern California through the Buddy Program is confidential.
|
CompatibilityWe use best practices to pair patients, yet not every pair will be a permanent or perfect match. Re-pairing it is not a personal reflection on either buddy.
|
Julie joined our Buddy Program a few years ago but had to take a break due to health struggles. She has returned to the program and has a new buddy with whom she felt an immediate bond. Julie knows how important it is to have community and to have someone she can text and ask for support or to celebrate victories together. |
Since 2015, the Lupus Foundation of Northern California has supported over 260 people living with lupus as part of the Lupus Buddy Program, an initiative national in reach, that pairs experienced lupus patients with patients who are new to learning about their condition.
How to JoinTo Join the Lupus Buddy Program, complete this form, and a program coordinator will be in touch with you.
You may also call us at (408) 954-8600 if you have any questions or would like to sign up via phone. |