The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter (LFANC) recently received three Annual Leadership Institute Awards from the Lupus Foundation of America in the following categories: “One Mission Education, Support and Advocacy Award”; “2014 LFA Research Impact Award” and “Bright Idea Leadership Award.”

One of only three chosen volunteers nationwide, Barbi Manchester of Mt. Airy received the “One Mission Education, Support and Advocacy Award.” Manchester has lupus and is passionate about lupus advocacy. Before her diagnosis, she had spent three years on her high school football team, and as a senior was ranked 7th out of 400 high school place kickers in the state. She has spoken to countless civic organizations in the Carolinas about lupus awareness and started a community organized lupus walk in her hometown of Mount Airy. In its first three years, her walk has raised nearly $40,000. In 2012, she was inducted into the inaugural class of the LFANC Lupus Advocate Bureau and was LFANC’s first ever “Mission Award” winner, for her commitment to LFANC’s mission in word and action.

“It was an honor to nominate Barbi [Manchester] for this award,” said Christine John-Fuller, LFANC President and CEO. “She always represents the lupus community as a poignant example of not only the truth of being diagnosed with lupus, but also the beauty of living in spite of it.”

The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter is only one of two chapters that received the “2014 LFA Research Impact Award” for the added financial support it provided to the LFA’s national research program.

In addition, LFANC took home the “Bright Idea Leadership Award” for its Physician Referral Pad, which has been distributed to every rheumatology practice in North Carolina for rheumatologists to refer any lupus patients to LFANC.

Adds John-Fuller, “We are thrilled to receive these top Leadership Institute honors from the Lupus Foundation of America. They are a testament to the hard work and commitment from our volunteers, staff and entire community of lupus thrivers, caregivers, medical professionals and supporters throughout North Carolina in helping solve the cruel mystery of lupus.”

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. We work with local health professionals and volunteers to provide information and programs to ensure people with lupus and their families get answers and health professionals know about new means to diagnose and manage the disease. The chapter serves an estimated 45,000 living with lupus in North Carolina. 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 and Twitter.