The Official launch of the Lupus Foundation of Anguilla took place on Friday May 4th, 2018. The executive Board for this nonprofit organization includes:
Founder/President: Tashanta Brooks Secretary: Jillian Abbott
1st Vice President: Tashanna Brooks (Lupus Warrior)
2nd Vice President: Norlesha Cocks (Lupus Warrior)
This organization came into being as a result of Tashanta Brooks witnessing firsthand the daily challenges experienced by her sister, who suffers from the disease. Along with her sister, Tashanta also has friends and sorority sisters who are likewise afflicted with Lupus.
“I did not have a dream but after many sleepless nights I had a goal” said Tashanta. This goal was to raise awareness about this ‘invisible disease’ and to provide support, not only to the persons in Anguilla diagnosed with Lupus but also their families.” Tashanta further indicated that she believed that having a strong support system is a vital tool in this fight for which there is currently no cure.
Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. At the Launch, members of the audience were asked to imagine their bodies raging a war with their skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, lungs and eyes. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as its signs and symptoms usually mimic those of other ailments. Lupus is often diagnosed between the ages of 15 to 45 years. It attacks more women than men 15:1, and the rate is more prevalent among black females.
Those attending the launch got some in-depth and enlightening details of the life of a Lupus Warrior. Both Tashanna and Norlesha were very candid concerning the day to day challenges they faced.
Words of encouragement were shared by Rev. Wycherley Gumbs who also prayed for persons affected by Lupus and for the Foundation. Mrs. Jennifer Gumbs of the Health Promotion Unit shared a few words to the audience about Lupus. She encouraged the members of the Foundation to not give up and to persevere even when faced with challenges.
May 10th is Lupus Awareness Day. The Foundation will be represented in a discussion at 10:30 am on Radio Anguilla. The Chief Medical Officer will also mark the day with a radio address. The general Public is asked to wear purple on May 18th which is internationally recognized as P.O.P (Put on Purple) day. A Soca Aerobics session with Valentino Mockett is also planned for that afternoon at 5:30 pm. Persons wearing purple on this day are asked to hashtag the Lupus Foundation of Anguilla’s Facebook page with #POPLUPUSANGUILLA . The Lupus Foundation is asking everyone to join them as ‘Together we FIGHT!’
The Anguillian joins in congratulating the Lupus Foundation of Anguilla and wishes them great success.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
