It's that time of year again! Please help our team, The Purple Roses, win first prize for the third year in the row!

Facts you may or may not know about this disease:

• Lupus is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease in which the immune system, for unknown reasons, becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue. This attack results in inflammation and brings about symptoms. (lupus.org)
• Lupus can occur at any age, and in either sex. Nine out of ten people with lupus are women. During the childbearing years (ages 15-44) lupus strikes women 10-15 times more frequently than men. (lupus.org)
• There has not been a new, FDA-approved therapy for lupus in almost 40 years. (fda.gov).
• Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite loss, sores in the nose or mouth or painful sensitivity of the fingers in the cold. (vaxxine.com)
• Lupus is not a universally fatal disease. In fact, today with close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of the people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span.(lupus.org)
• Lupus does vary in intensity and degree [...] For people who have a severe flare-up, there is a greater chance that their lupus may be life-threatening. (lupus.org)

Any amount helps! Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. However, if you would like to donate with cash or check, please e-mail me at neva@nevafeva.com.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Thanks,
Pat Cavataio, Team Captain
Neva Cavataio
Lyn Stevens
Janet Kinch and The Nuckols Family
Norman Blacksmith Shop