The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter (LFANC) recognized four honorees with chapter awards at its 13th Annual NC Lupus Summit in Charlotte. The event had the highest attendance to date with more than 300 lupus patients, caregivers, advocates and medical professionals.

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 – Betty & Bill Scales of Winston-Salem. Betty and Bill Scales created the Diane Scales Pulliam Lupus Research Memorial Fund in memory of their daughter who passed away in 2000 due to complications resulting from lupus. Since hosting their first event in Oct. 2001, they have assembled a group of volunteers to help with fundraising events and have raised and donated more than $87,000 to lupus research. Past funds have been given to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center, and the LFA’s National Research Program. The Champion Award is given to individuals who have shown excellence in funding the mission of LFANC.

MISSION AWARD – Heather Edwards of Asheville. Edwards, who lives with lupus, is a dedicated volunteer with LFANC. Before joining the steering committee for the organization’s inaugural Walk To End Lupus Now in Asheville in 2012, she and her mother volunteered for many years at the Charlotte Walk. Edwards was also inducted into the inaugural class of our Lupus Advocate Bureau, so that she could officially spread the word about lupus and the work of the LFANC throughout Western, N.C. The Mission Award is given to individuals who best exemplify the mission of the LFANC in word and action.

RUTH AND JIM BANBURY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Vickie Addison of Charlotte. Addison has been a lupus advocate for more than a decade after getting involved with LFANC because of her own daughter’s diagnosis. She’s been a member of the Programs and Services Committee for nearly her entire tenure with the organization, and Chair of the Committee for seven years. She also served as a member of LFANC’s Board of Directors, continues to serve as the organization’s Support Group Liaison, training new volunteer Support Group Facilitators. The Ruth and Jim Banbury Volunteer of the Year Award was renamed last year in honor of the couple who founded the Lupus Foundation of America efforts in N.C.

“These amazing volunteers go above and beyond in supporting our mission and play an integral role in helping us provide lupus programs and services across our entire state,” said Christine John-Fuller, President and CEO of LFANC. “It is a privilege to honor Betty and Bill [Scales], Heather [Edwards], and Vickie [Addison] for their tireless efforts and dedication to helping solve the cruel mystery of lupus. They are truly making an impact on the 45,000 people living with lupus in North Carolina.”