My name is Lisa Maria Datcher. I am a NOBLE member and I am seeking help in supporting a very important cause and that is LUPUS AWARENESS. I ask that all of the chapters of NOBLE participate in this cause by organizing people who have never heard of this devastating disease; a disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans where 90% are women.

I was diagnosed with LUPUS SLE in 1992 and I have been through a myriad of changes both personally and professionally. It took some time for me to adjust but I finally decided not to allow this disease to take over my life. I formed an on-line support group for others to connect, share and support one another. Over the years, I have received many emails from members and those who also have LUPUS thanking me for sharing my personal story and it is these emails that give me strength to keep fighting for our voices to be heard.

What is LUPUS?
LUPUS is an autoimmune disease, more specifically, a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by LUPUS can affect many different body systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, lungs and brain. LUPUS affects people of all ages, including children, but it most often strikes people when they are between the ages of 15 and 45. According to the National Institutes of Health, LUPUS is three times more common among African American women than among Caucasian women, and is also more common in women of Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent. LUPUS is by far the leading cause of death among young women with autoimmune diseases.

How prevalent is LUPUS?
The risk of heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, and osteoporosis is much higher in people with LUPUS than in the general population. The number of people with LUPUS in the U.S. has been estimated to range from at least 270,000 to more than one million. It is difficult to estimate how many people have LUPUS because its symptoms vary widely and can come and go, its onset is hard to pinpoint, and diagnosis can be elusive. There is no known cure for LUPUS at this time.

Why do you do this?
For the past several years, I have made arduous attempts to help promote LUPUS Awareness locally and nationally because still in 2008, there are so many people who have never heard of this devastating disease; a disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans where 90% are women. While some progress has been made, LUPUS still does not get the attention as AIDS, Cancer and Diabetes yet this disease for many is debilitating and often fatal. LUPUS is known as the great imitator and while new treatment options have been initiated, many medical professionals still find difficulty in diagnosing and treating this disease. This is why it is so very critical that adequate funding is available for continued research so that a cure can be found.

How can I help?
Support the "WALK WITH US TO CURE LUPUS WALKATHON" For the Washington Metropolitan Area, the dates are:

• May 3, 2008, at Rash Field, Inner Harbor located in Baltimore, Maryland
• November 2, 2008, at the National Mall, Capitol Reflecting Pool located in Washington, D.C.

Please support this very important campaign by registering to walk, making an online donation.
You can also help by collecting donations from friends, co-workers and social organizations you are affiliated with by using the attached pledge form.

You may also send donations by check directly to the Alliance for LUPUS Research, 28 W. 44th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10036. Please be sure to include my participant number on the memo line of any check donation.

• DC-510000 for (Washington, DC)
• MDB-400182 for (Baltimore, MD)

Donations are tax deductible - the TAX ID for ALR is 58-2492929.