Coco & Butter

At least 5 million people worldwide are currently living with Lupus, with more than 16,000 new cases reported every year, and yet it is still one of nature’s grim diseases that has no explanation or cure. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease in which the immune system overreacts and essentially fights itself and the healthy tissue in the body. The disease can affect every major organ system, including joints, skin and internal organs, and the symptoms can be very painful and debilitating to those suffering from it. Lupus is not contagious; it cannot be spread via human contact and is not related to cancer or HIV. Although anyone of any gender, age or race can develop Lupus, the disease strikes mostly women ages 15-44, with women of color being two to three times more likely to develop. The most common symptoms of lupus, which are the same for females and males, are:

• Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
• Headaches
• Painful or swollen joints
• Fever
• Anemia
• Swelling in feet, legs, hands, and/or around eyes
• Pain in chest on deep breathing
• Butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
• Sun- or light-sensitivity (photosensitivity)
• Hair loss
• Abnormal blood clotting
• Fingers turning white and/or blue when cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
• Mouth or nose ulcers

Many of these symptoms occur in other illnesses making it difficult to recognize the presence of Lupus in your body. This is why it is crucial to always consult with a doctor if you notice anything wrong or unordinary. There have been cases of deaths from Lupus, but with proper treatment and staying healthy, one can live a lovg life with the disease. Despite the millions of people that have been affected, the world at large is minimally educated and unaware of what Lupus is and what it does. There is currently no cure but with research, medical experts can get closer to discovering the cause and, hopefully, the cure. The only way to fund more research is to raise more awareness. If you or someone you know and love are currently living with Lupus, now is your time to speak up, share your stories and join the fight for the cure of this ugly disease. There are many worldwide efforts taking place for this cause, and with May being #LupusAwarenessMonth now is the perfect time to get involved! Right here in Milwaukee there are a few upcoming events and campaigns revolving around Lupus Awareness that we’d like to shed light on in hopes of ganinig more support and attention.

Coco & Butter’s #LettersForLupus Campaign

 

We personally know of people living with Lupus and have been inspired by their lives to join this fight and raise awareness for this disease for not only them, but any and everyone affected by it. As a way to empower those also in this fight, we will be running our #LettersForLupus campaign through the month of May. The purpose of this campaign is to simply allow those living with Lupus to use their voice and let the world (and Lupus) know exactly what it’s like, how it affects them, and how they are fighting everyday to not be overcome by this disease. Your letter can be as long, short, funny, sad, serious, or informative as you want it to be: this is YOUR story and you should  share it exactly the way you wish. You don’t have to be diagnosed with Lupus to participate in this campaign, we strongly encourage the loved ones of those living with Lupus to write letters as well, as it affects so many more than just the individual. All #LettersForLupus submissions can be sent to candbmgmt@gmail.com, and please feel free to include and photos, videos, links or other relevant information with your submission. If you wish to remain anoymous, please specify in the email also.

Mission 10 Eleven Presents: Friday Night Lights Showcase 3 – Lupus Awareness Milwaukee non-profit organization Mission 10 Eleven will be hosting their third annual Friday Night Lights basketball showcase this month, but this year they are choosing to use the event to raise awareness for Lupus. On Thursday, May 15th 2014, Mission 10 Eleven will host an invite-only Lupus Awareness Formal Dinner featuring two keynote speakers, Brion Lucas and Kenny Burns, who will share their stories about what it’s like to have and live with Lupus. The second event of the weekend is the FNLShowcase3 to be held on Friday, May 16th, 2014 at Siloah Lutheran School. There will be 2 basketball games, with each team wearing purple in their uniform to represent Lupus. A portion of the proceedes raised from the showcase will be donated to the Lupus.org Wisconsin branch. Doors open at 5:30PM, the womens alumni game will start at 6PM and the men’s alumni game will follow at 7 PM. Tickets are $3 General Admission/$5 Courtside and can be purchased at the door.

#BreesButterflies: Walk to End Lupus Now – Milwaukee On Saturday June 7th 2014, the Wisconsin Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America will be hosting a 1 and 3 mile walk at Mount Mary University in Wauwatosa, WI. Walk to End Lupus Now-Milwaukee is a non-competitive, fun, family event which offers the opportunity for Lupus patients, their families and friends to join together to raise money and awareness for the cause. Following the walk, there will be snacks and entertainment provided by the band Close Enuf. There will also be a Butterfly Raffle (the butterfly is the most widely recognized symbol for Lupus), a Kid’s Art Tent, and the Milwaukee Fire Department Survive Alive house and fire engine! Our dear friend and keynote speaker at the Lupus Awareness Dinner, Brion Lucas, has her own team this year called Bree’s Butterflies and she needs our help! You can pre-register to join her team and get your Walk to End Lupus-Milwaukee T-Shirt for $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under until June 3rd, 2014. All registrations made after June 3rd can be done the day of, with prices going up to $25 per adult and $12 per child, t-shirts can be purchased seperately. Day-of registration begins at 8:30 AM, kickoff ceremony at 9:40, with the walk beginning at 10:00AM. If you cannot make it to the walk, you can always donate or purchase an item to support #BreesButterflies! Join Team #BreesButterflies! Bree’s Butterflies Gear

We are constantly looking for ways to promote positivity and bring people together for a good cause and we are very happy to be apart of this movement. We hope to reach as many people as possible but we can’t do that without YOU! If you can’t donate or participate in these events, simple retweet, repost, or just simply letting someone know that you care and support them is all we’re asking for. Every little bit helps and we look forward to seeing other young people join us in this effort :) For more information and resources for Lupus Awareness, visit Lupus.org.