Who We Are & What We Do

The "Life" with Lupus Support Group, serving metropolitan Chicago, supports anyone afflicted with or affected by lupus. In 1996, living with this disease first hand, co-founders Annette Peete, CRPI (Certified Rheumatology Patient Instructor)(Deceased 2006) and Patricia A. Brumley, M.ED., (diagnosed in 1964 and 1996 respectively), recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to empowering individuals living daily with lupus to pursue productive, independent, and fulfilling lives.

Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic auto-immune disorder that causes the immune system to become overactive and attack healthy tissue in the body; thereby, breaking down the body's defenses against illness. When this occurs, any organ may be affected. The cause of lupus is unknown. However, we do know it is not contagious, AIDS, or cancer. At this point, there is currently no cure for this disease. However, through ongoing research, it is reasonable to anticipate the control of this disease that soon may be curable. 

Our support group is designed holistically to have a positive impact on the health status of our constituents and to enhance their quality and longevity of "life" with lupus. For too long, too many have suffered because they were uninformed. Although we know that lupus symptoms are not always easily recognizable; the education process is one of the more powerful weapons we have against this disease. When individuals are more informed, the potential to seek earlier diagnosis and treatment increases. Thereby, leading to a reduction in the high incidence of lupus mortality.