The new chapter is headquartered in Charlotte and is led by statewide representation on the board, committees and staff. In addition, all current and existing programs and support groups will remain in existence, and will serve all 100 counties in the state.
"Fulfilling the mission of the Lupus Foundation of America in running the Winston-Triad Chapter for more than thirty years has been very rewarding," said Ruth Banbury, a lupus thriver and board chairman and the founder of the Winston-Triad Chapter. "This organization has been and will continue to be a big part of my life. We look forward to being part of the statewide chapter to ensure that lupus programs and services are available for all North Carolina residents."
The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter rollout plan includes the following immediate services to all state residents: patient navigation through the chapter help line, 13 regional support groups, financial assistance, and opportunities to volunteer and participate in fundraising. An eight-city Town Hall Tour is planned for early 2013 to share in person about the mission and services of the chapter, hear from community members about needs, and discuss how people can be involved. Information on the town hall tour and other future plans for the chapter can be found at www.lupusnc.org.
"This amazing consolidation of resources is the realization of a dream we've all longed to see fulfilled. Now the Lupus Foundation of America will proudly speak with one voice within North Carolina ensuring that no resident of our great state is turned away for service and support," said Christine John-Fuller, President & CEO of the North Carolina Chapter, who also headed up Piedmont Chapter for the past five years.
Adds John-Fuller, "We'd also like to commend Ruth Banbury, and her husband Jim, whose passion and dedication for the lupus community for more than thirty years is unwavering and is helping pave the way to increase awareness about and research to treat lupus. Their board will continue to be integral to our efforts in helping solve the cruel mystery behind lupus."
About Lupus:
Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, and a challenge to treat. Lupus is a cruel mystery because it is hidden from view and undefined, has a range of symptoms, hits out of nowhere, and has no known cause and no known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack. Lupus is debilitating and destructive, and can be fatal, yet research on lupus remains underfunded relative to its scope and devastation. An estimated 45,000 North Carolina residents and 1.5 million Americans are estimated to have a form of lupus.
About the Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter
The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter is part of the national force devoted to solving the cruel mystery of lupus while providing caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. We work with local health professionals and volunteers to provide information and programs to ensure people with lupus and their families get answers and health professionals know about new means to diagnose and manage the disease. The chapter now serves an estimated 45,000 living with lupus in North Carolina. For more information about lupus or the LFANC, visit www.lupusnc.org or call (877) 849-8271. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
