We love celebrating our colleagues and giving back to our community, so we combined these two loves several years ago. Each month, BlueModus’ Management Team selects two colleagues who shine and represent the values that make this a great workplace. These two colleagues select a charity, and we donate to it on their behalf.

For January 2023, one of those colleagues is Bryanna Balkema, who joined BlueModus in August 2021 as an Accounting Specialist and works on our Finance Team. Bryanna is recognized as an incredible colleague who is willing to help anywhere she is needed and with a great attitude.

Bryanna has selected the Lupus Research Alliance for a $500 donation from BlueModus on her behalf. The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest nongovernmental, nonprofit funder of lupus research worldwide. Lupus is a chronic disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead.

“Lupus is very personal to me, as it contributed to my Mom’s recent passing, “says Bryanna. “Lupus is an excruciating disease, and the work that the Lupus Research Alliance is doing is leading to real change in the management and hopefully cure of this disease.”

The Lupus Research Alliance aims to transform treatment while advancing toward a cure by funding the most innovative lupus research; fostering diverse scientific talent; stimulating collaborations; and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments, and, ultimately, a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance’s Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations support lupus research programs.

Please visit the give portion of the Lupus Research Alliance website to donate and learn how you can support this important cause.