San Mateo, CA

[Adminஐﻬ]

Millbrae Councilwoman Gina Papan and her sister, Diane Papan of Daly City, both attorneys, along with many honored guests, attended a special briefing Aug. 28 at the University of California San Francisco for the presentation of the achievements of scientists associated with the Lou and Irene Papan Lupus Research Program.

Sponsored by the Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center for Arthritis, the Lou and Irene Papan Lupus Research Program features some of the world's most advanced laboratory, epidemiological and clinical investigations focused on lupus.

The disease, formally called systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system and/or other organs of the body. It is estimated the 1.5 to 2 million Americans have lupus, which afflicts women 10 times more frequently than men.

The program was named to honor Gina's and Diane's parents, the recently deceased California Assemblyman Lou Papan who advocated so strongly on behalf of funding lupus research, and his late wife, Irene Papan, who suffered from lupus for many years before her death in 2000.

"This program is a fitting tribute to our parents and their perseverance and dedication to creating a better future for those afflicted with lupus," said both Papan women.