Two volunteers with the Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter (LFANC) were named finalists in the Charlotte Business Journal’s “Excellence in Health Care” Awards.

Stacy Kennedy, M.D., with Rowan Diagnostic Clinic, PA, was chosen as a finalist for the “Education in Health Care/Individual” category. Involved with LFANC since 2010, her passion for educating others about lupus includes: creating the concept for a year-long lupus educational series focused on young African American women, and giving educational presentations about lupus to helping form the first-ever statewide Medical Scientific Advisory Council.

Alexandria Addison was named a finalist in the “Volunteer of the Year” category. Involved with LFANC since 2002 after her daughter was diagnosed with lupus, Addison served on the organization’s board of directors; helped develop a model to provide state-wide programs and services after the LFA Piedmont Chapter and the Winston-Triad Chapter merged; created framework for the NC Lupus Advocacy Bureau; became the chapter’s lead volunteer for its support group program; worked with LFANC’s annual fundraising walks as a participant and volunteer; and currently is spearheading the creation of a Teen/Young Adult Support Group Advisory Board.

“It was an honor to nominate Dr. [Stacy] Kennedy and Alexandria [Addison] for the ‘Excellence in Health Care’ Awards,” said Christine John-Fuller, President and CEO of LFANC. “They are dedicated ambassadors for our organization and go above and beyond with their commitment to our mission and helping solve the cruel mystery of lupus. We are so proud of them for earning this recognition and for being honored among the ranks of some of the best in health care in our region.”

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.