The Lupus Foundation Of America To Reveal The 'Cruel Mystery' Of Lupus To Detroit Area Residents

Most Americans Know Little to Nothing About Lupus; Tour Bus with Interactive Experience of Lupus Is Making Multiple Stops in Detroit to Raise Awareness

DETROIT, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Detroit area residents are invited to hop on-board the Lupus Foundation of America's 45-foot purple bus April 11-13 to learn about lupus, a mysterious and devastating disease that ravages different parts of the body and has no known cause and no known cure.  The Help Us Solve the Cruel Mystery™ National Tour is helping people all across the nation to learn about lupus through interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what it is like to live with this unpredictable disease that disproportionately affects minorities and women. 

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People of color are two to three times more likely than Caucasians to develop lupus.  However, a  recent nationwide survey found that as many as one out of two African Americans either has not heard of lupus or knows little to nothing about lupus.  More than eight in ten (82.7 percent) of Detroit's population and more than 40 percent of Wayne County's population are African American.  The Lupus Foundation of America is conducting efforts to reach individuals who are at high risk for developing the disease. 

Another valuable feature of the TOUR will be a patient medical education event, where area residents will learn from experts about lupus symptoms, the latest advances in lupus research and treatments, and how to access needed benefits like disability income protection.  The event, 'Lupus: Living and Learning™', will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 1:00-4:30 pm at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, Founders Room A and the Crystal Ballroom, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI.

The bus will be in Detroit and open to the public Thursday, April 11^th – Sunday, April 14^th at the following stops:

Visitors to the bus also can take action to support those affected by lupus by signing a petition that asks Congress to fund more lupus research efforts.  Detroit residents can learn more about the TOUR, register for the patient medical education event, as well as sign the petition online, at cruelmystery.org.

"Lupus is perhaps the most misunderstood disease there is, so it's crucial that we educate people," said Sandra C. Raymond, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America. "The knowledge gap surrounding lupus makes it difficult to fight on many levels -- not only for patients to gain acceptance, but also to advance promising research.  We are calling on Metro Detroit residents and all Americans to join the fight against this disease that can rob people of the best years of their lives.  Help us solve the cruel mystery."

"When I was diagnosed with lupus, I had no idea just how devastating and mysterious this disease could be," explains Tiffani Stokley, a Detroit resident who has lupus.  "Lupus has impacted every aspect of my life -- my ability to sleep, my energy level, how I function and even my social life.  With lupus, education is key.  Had I known about lupus before I was diagnosed, I may have been able to recognize my symptoms and seek treatment sooner, potentially preventing some of the complications from the disease that I live with everyday."

Building awareness of lupus is essential to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this unpredictable and misunderstood disease.  Awareness is also critical to securing private and public funding for lupus research.  Without sufficient funding, research studies to find the causes and cure for lupus, and discover new safe, tolerable and effective lupus treatments will be delayed, and the search for a cure will be seriously impaired. 

The Lupus Foundation of America launched this campaign to show lupus for what it really is -- the cruel mystery. The campaign and the Foundation's new rallying cry, Help Us Solve the Cruel Mystery™, aim to energize the public and ultimately Congress to devote serious resources to lupus research.

About the Lupus Foundation of America
The Lupus Foundation of America is the only national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world's cruelest, most unpredictable and devastating diseases, while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. Through a comprehensive program of research, education, and advocacy, the Foundation leads the fight to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. Learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America