Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 18 October 2001 — Page 23

The Muncie Times, October 18, 2001, page 23

October is Lupus Awareness Month

Lupus is a widespread disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s own health tissue, affecting about 1.4 million Americans. Common symptoms include severe joint pain, extreme fatigue, fevers, and skin rashes. Lupus strikes mostly women in their childbearing years. It occurs tvvo or three times more frequently among women of color than among Caucasians. There is no known cure for lupus. Despite its prevalence, lupus remains a difficult disease to diagnose, because there is no single test for lupus. The symptoms of the disease mimic common illnesses.

October is Lupus Awareness Month. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) and its nationwide network of local chapters are conducting educational activities during October to increase public awareness and understanding of lupus. A survey conducted by the LFA suggests that more than half of those afflicted with lupus suffer at least 4 years and see three or more doctors before obtaining a diagnosis, reinforcing the need for greater awareness of lupus symptoms among patients and doctors alike. The LFA conducted a survey of its members to measure the health, social,

and financial impact of lupus. One of three patients responding to the survey reported she/he had another autoimmune disease in addition to lupus. Almost half had another family member afflicted with an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases like lupus often run in famihes. Nealy half of the survey participants (49 percent) received their diagnosis of lupus, after being examined by a rheumatologist, a medical specialist who treats diseases of the connective tissue. Four of 10 lupus patients were being treated by three or more doctors and took six or

more medications to treat symptoms of the disease. Over half of respondents reported that they spend more than $1,000 annually for medications. The survey of more than 1,000 lupus sufferers also revealed that two of three lupus patients experience complete or partial loss of their income because they are unable to work and that one in three are permanently or temporarily disabled by the disease. Most reported they are coping well with lupus (78 percent) and that other family members are understanding and supportive (72 percent). People with lupus named

other family members (84 percent) and friends (72 percent) as their primary support network. The survey participants cited pain (65 percent) as the most difficult factors of coping with lupus. The Lupus Foundation of America is the nation's largest voluntary health agency providing education and support services to individuals and families affected by this chronic disease. To obtain a free brochure about lupus and a list of local chapter offices, call the Lupus Foundation of America at 1-800-558-0121, or visit the LFA web site at www.lupus.org.

Beer maker gives Kappa Alpha $25,000 for prostate cancer campaign

Washington Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc., today announced its commitment to pledge $250,000 over the next 2 years to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., to help support its Prostate Cancer Global Awareness Campagin. The campaign includes seminars conducted in cities throughout the country and information on screening, detection, education and prevention of the disease. Johnny Furr, Jr., vice president, corporate affairs, Anheuser-Busch, announced the donation during a press coference on Capital Hill. Furr was joined by several Kappa Fraternity members at the press conference, including Kappa international grand polemarch (President/CEO) Howard L. Tutman Jr.; Kappa Executive Director Richard Lee Snow; retired U. S. Congressman and campaign co-chair Louis Stokes; Missouri Sen. William Lacy Clay Jr.;

and several U. S. congressmen who are also Kappas. Anheuser-Busch has long been committed to health and wellness and is proud to make this contribution to Kappa Alpha Psi to help further assist their efforts in educating men across the country about the risk of prostate cancer and its detection,” said Furr. “We applaud this program and others like it for reaching out to men, especially African Americans, who are particularly affected by this disease.” Established in 2000, the Prostate Cancer Global Awareness Campaign has touched thousands of lives across the nation. The program helps medical experts, doctors and survivors educate men about prevention, assist them with screenings and encourage them to spread the word about prostate cancer to others. This year, workshops are scheduled in Los Angeles, Philadelphia,

Anheuser-Busch, vice president of corporate affairs, Johnny Furr Jr., (fourth from left), is shown during a recent press conference on Capital Hill, presenting a check for $250,000 to the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., to help support its Prostate Cancer Global Awareness Campaign. With Furr are (from left): Richard Snow, Kappa executive director; Kappa Fraternity member Michael Roberts; Kappa international grand polemarch, Howard Tutman Jr^ retired U.S. Congressman and campaign co-chair, Louis Stokes; Victor Julien, director, national events, Anheuser-Busch; and Adolphus Pruitt, Kappa provice polemarch. Midwest region.

Chicago, Newark, N.J., Denver, Washington, D. C., Greensboro, N.C., and St. Louis, MO. “We are greatful to Anheuser-Busch for helping us make men aware of this epidemicone that is killing African American males at twice the rate of all others,” said Tutman. “Thanks to the

support of companies like Anheuser-Busch, we are able to continue spreading the work about the disease and how it can be prevented or treated.” Since 1983, the company’s Community Health Mobile has provided free immunizations and health screenings, including tests for sickle cell anemia,

high blood pressure and block sugar, illnesses that disproportionately affect African American men and women. Each year, the Health Mobile visits about 50 cities across the country, providing services to more than 7,500 people.