OUR MISSION Our mission is to promote awareness, education, service and research for those affected by lupus. HISTORY The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania was founded in 1975 by Barbara Vandergrift, a lupus patient, as a grassroots initiative. The organization has changed its strategic direction over time to best suit the needs of the community and to proactively adjust to the funding climate. In 2013, we transitioned from a multi-branch foundation that included offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Poconos and Erie to a model with one office as the headquarters of the foundation in Pittsburgh. Our number one priority that has remained constant for over 40 years is to provide caring, knowledgeable support and resources to those impacted by lupus.