The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter (LFANC) is expanding its educational and support services with the addition of three new lupus support groups throughout the state.

The new support groups are now in Buncombe County, Gaston County, and Iredell County, bringing the total number of counties with support groups to 12. The other lupus support groups are offered in: Durham County, Guilford County, Wake County, Surry County, New Hanover County, Mecklenburg County (two locations), Forsyth County and Cumberland County.

Lupus support groups provide those living with lupus, their family and caregivers with an opportunity to receive introductory information about lupus, encourage the expression of concerns, provide an opportunity to share experiences, encourage and support positive coping strategies, and emphasize the importance of medical treatment. Led by trained volunteers, meeting programs vary from open group discussion to guest speakers and DVD presentation.

“We are very excited about expanding our support group network to the residents in these three counties and surrounding areas,” said Christine John-Fuller, LFANC President and CEO. “With an estimated 45,000 individuals living with lupus in North Carolina, our support groups are an invaluable service that we provide. We are grateful to our facilitators who are integral to making our groups a success.”

The following is information about the four new lupus support groups being offered by LFANC:

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Asheville

Second Wednesday of each month

First Meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 10

7:00 - 8:00PM

All Souls Cathedral, CE Room

9 Swan Street

Asheville, NC 28803

This support group will be led by Vanessa Guerrero, a resident of Asheville and a lupus thriver who was diagnosed with lupus 10 years ago.

GASTON COUNTY

Cramerton

Second Tuesday of each month

First Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 9

6:00 - 7:30PM

Floyd and Blackies Coffee and Ice cream

137 8th Avenue

Cramerton, NC 28032

This support group will be led by Kristy Duncan who resides in Lowell and Shellee Reeves who resides in Belmont. Both Lowell and Reeves are lupus thrivers who were diagnosed with lupus 20 years ago.

IREDELL COUNTY

Statesville

Second Tuesday of each month

First Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 9

6:00 - 7:00PM

Collier Enrichment Center

110 West Allison Street

Statesville, NC 28677

This support group will be led by Myrah Lykes, a resident of Troutman and a lupus thriver who was diagnosed with lupus 22 years ago.

For more information about LFANC and the lupus support groups, visit www.lupusnc.org, call 877-849-8271, or email patientservices@lupusnc.org.

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.

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. Serving an estimated 45,000 living with lupus in North Carolina, the chapter is the center of excellence for those affected by lupus, bridging patients, their families, caregivers, and the medical community. 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, Twitter and Instagram.