by intern David Longo
Photo credit: intern Haley Schiffer
“Help us solve the cruel mystery” is the Lupus Foundation of America’s slogan. The foundation is devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, ‘one of the world’s most cruelest, most unpredictable and devastating diseases.’
The slogan
Lupus, an autoimmune disease, is known to cause extensive and permanent damage to different parts of the human body. “We strive to find a cure. This is a non-profit foundation and this gala helps to fund it,” stated Brian D. Wachtel, Director of Events.
Sherry Truler, gala volunteer: “Funds raised [through our live auction] go to the Patient Navigator Program, which is a program designed to help people who have either been diagnosed or haven’t been diagnosed with Lupus get their way through the medical system, bring support and care, learn about the disease, and how to take care of themselves.”
Board member Ted Davies said: “I’ve now been on the board for five years. I got involved because my first wife actually passed away from Lupus, making it an organization I wanted to help. I’ve been a board member and active supporter and was the head of the finance committee for a while and now I’m just a board member promoting the good works of he organization.”
Ann L. Wang, Purple Passion Table Sponsor : “I volunteered for the gala to support the Lupus Foundation because it’s something I truly believe in. I work for the company (Human Genome Sciences) that got the first drug approved in 50 years for Lupus and the two Lupus heroes who are here today are colleagues of mine.”
Dr. David Stump, 2013 Lupus Hero said: “I started working on a new product for Lupus that officially came out of the lab in the late ‘90s and started doing clinical research in 2001. Once we began to think about engaging the patient community, we talked to foundations that were looking to help……. a cure is a high and lofty goal, I mean we’d all love a cure, but I don’t think we should do nothing if we can’t find a cure. You can come up with things that are very controlling and make life more bearable for patients even if they still have the diagnosis.”
On December 7th, the 5th Annual Purple Passion Gala to End Lupus was held at the Washington Park Hyatt to benefit the Lupus Patient Navigation Program, a program that helps others to research, educate, and support lupus disease.
The gala consisted of ‘purple passion table’ sponsors, lupus hero sponsors, lupus board of directors, supporters, and those affected by lupus disease.
