The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter (LFANC) recognized three honorees with chapter awards at its 14th Annual NC Lupus Summit in Raleigh.

The chapter awards include three areas of honor: Champion Award, the Mission Award, and the Ruth and Jim Banbury Volunteer of the Year Award.

CHAMPION AWARD – Susan Corbett of Burlington. A lupus thriver, Corbett is a champion for the LFANC as a fundraiser, advocate and ambassador. She and her Susan’s Wings 4 Hope team have raised more than $63,000 in the past four years for the Walk to End Lupus Now: Raleigh event. She also speaks to organizations to raise awareness about lupus; helps educate others about lupus; provides fundraising guidance to other Walk teams; and supports lupus thrivers with words of encouragement.

MISSION AWARD – Kim McLean of Fayetteville. McLean is a lupus thriver and a recipient of a kidney transplant as a result of having lupus. A loyal LFANC advocate in spreading the organization’s mission, she also shares her story from educational workshops to radio interviews to speaking in front of thousands at events. In June 2012, she was inducted into the inaugural class of the LFANC Lupus Advocate Bureau to spread the word about lupus and the work of the LFANC in her area. She has also been one of the top activists in LFANC’s National Put On Purple Day by rallying hundreds of her friends around the globe to wear purple and tell folks why. She’s even produces a line of clothing – stating “I make lupus look good.” – to promote a positive outlook on living with lupus.

RUTH AND JIM BANBURY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Tammy Scott of Wilmington. Scott initially got involved in LFANC more than a decade ago after her lupus diagnosis and the desire to connect others in her community with lupus support and educational resources. In 2010, she started the first lupus support group in Wilmington, N.C. and has been devoted to helping the members while continuing to help the group grow. She often takes time out of her personal schedule to meet with individuals who are newly diagnosed or new to the area and aren’t quite ready to attend a group meeting. She is also committed to supporting and promoting LFANC educational programs and events, and encouraging others to empower themselves by learning as much as possible.

“We are proud to honor these amazing volunteers who are truly inspirational and go above and beyond in supporting our mission,” said Christine John-Fuller, President and CEO of LFANC. “Their tireless efforts and dedication are integral to helping us solve the cruel mystery of lupus and provide programs and services to the 45,000 people living with lupus in North Carolina.”

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.