Lupus ……what’s that ?

This years chosen Balstock charity is St Thomas Lupus Trust which we plan to get as much money as possible.

Lupus is now recognised as an important and common illness of modern times. It is a disease in which the immune system goes ‘wrong’, becomes overactive. It can affect any organ of the body. Because the symptoms can be so diverse, including for example; fatigue, rashes, allergies, depression and kidney failure it is called the ‘great mimic’.

All ages can be affected, but the commonest sufferers are young females, the peak ages being between 18 and 45.

The outlook for most sufferers, given the correct treatment, has improved beyond recognition.

We have made a lupus information documentary called ‘Lupus? What’s that?’ – the same words that are on our lupus awareness wristbands.

It contains medical information but also has real lupus patients from all different backgrounds, ages, ethnic groups and sexes talking about having lupus. You get to see the people in their own homes with family/friends/pets, we have tried to show not just the medical facts but how people manage to live and cope with lupus and everything it throws at them. There are some very personal insights into the illness by patients and their families as lupus can also affect families too. As you may know, lupus is very different in the way it affects each patient so we have tried to cover cross sections of the severity of it.

Actress and Patron Melanie Hill does the introduction and ending and the medical facts are given by Consultant Rheumatologist, Dr David D’Cruz.

More information is available from http://www.lupus.org.uk/

Below are some video’s which explains What is Lupus and how the illness can affect you and your family.

Please watch them and you will see why we chose this amazing charity.

These Video’s will be shown over the weekend at The Engine.

So please dig deep and help us achieve our goal.

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