Our History

Lupus Ontario arose from a need for support, education and awareness.  This gap was filled in 1978 by a dedicated group of patients. Lupus Ontario is a volunteer organization that started  as the Ontario Lupus Association, incorporated provincially in 1998 and amalgamated with the Hamilton Lupus Society in 2004 . Honey Agar was a founding member and our visionary first president whose leadership started Lupus Ontario. The first Lupus Conference was held in 1983 to bring support, education and awareness.  

Lupus Ontario has raised more than $4.8 million in the past 10 years. Our first Walk A Block was held in 2002 and has become the province wide Walk for Lupus. The Walk for Lupus is held every spring to raise funds to support those living with lupus. Lupus Ontario has been providing crucial funding for Ontario Lupus Hospital Clinics in Ontario since 1987.

The Geoff Carr Fellowship has been awarded since it’s inception in 1990. This is a unique bursary given to a medical professional to study lupus for a year in an Ontario Lupus Hospital Clinic. We have funded research and education for over 25 medical fellows. It is the only fellowship of it’s kind in North America and key to funding medical breakthroughs in Lupus.

In 1987, Lupus Ontario partnered with the Toronto Western Hospital Lupus Clinic to raise the funds needed to establish the first Canadian Lupus Databank.  Over the years, the Databank has provided the data required to conduct hundreds of research projects aimed at better management of the disease.

Lupus Ontario  continues to fund hospital clinics, education materials and symposiums, increase awareness through media and speaking engagements, research through the Lupus Ontario Geoff Carr Research Fellowship and to pay for support staff and materials. We strive to support those living with lupus and continue our work towards a Life without Lupus.

Lupus Ontario is thankful to all of our donors and volunteers who support our mission.

40th Anniversary History