Meet the Team

Annette Peete was a Certified Rheumatology Patient Instructor (CRPI), She was a 56–year Lupus survivor and someone who understood the daily challenges of living with a chronic debilitating disease. Admitted to LaRabida Children’s Hospital – Chicago at age

fourteen, diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis following a fall from stiff and swollen knees in a High School gym class. Further assessment revealed an additional diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, with symptoms of Lupus Nephritis (kidney

disease). Her parents were informed there was very little chance of her survival. However, after receiving hospital treatment for nine months, to the amazement of her doctors, she miraculously recovered.

More than four decades of Lupus complications, as well as the stigma and insensitivity associated with this little-known disease, spurred this visionary to co-found this support group as a support and accurate information resource. This support group is

a Chicago-based, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to inform, educate, and provide monetary scholarships to students diagnosed with lupus, as well as support research initiatives.

A CRPI since 1991, Annette received training through Northwestern University Medical School, Division of Arthritis/Connective Tissue Disease in conjunction with the University of Illinois (Chicago), Department of Family Medicine, and Patient as Teachers

Program. Annette was certified to teach medical students and other healthcare professionals related to anatomy and physical examination techniques. And she was trained in the SEGUE checklist used in assessing at Northwestern University, Office of

Medical Education, Additionally, she participated in workshop modules for Family Medicine Physicians at the Predoctoral Education Conference sponsored by the Society of

Teachers of Family Medicine.

Annette’s ties to LaRabida Children’s Hospital lead her to volunteer in many roles from 1995 to 2000 as a Special Board of Trustee, Chairperson of the Big Hearts for Young Heroes Annual Benefit, a member of the Volunteer Advisory Council; as well as a Bedside

Buddy assisting patients.

Annette served as a guest speaker to several community organizations and healthcare facilities across Chicago. She was featured in several print publications, including: The Chicago Sun-Times and Defender, The Lupus Program at Northwestern

University Medical School Newsletter, Recovered Magazine, Muslim Journal, CRIS Newsletter, and Black United Fund of Illinois Newsletter. Annette had also been featured on electronic media programs. Her appearances include Empowermag.com, CLTV, WGN-

TV News 9, WVON, CAN-TV, and WKKC. 

Annette Peete left to go be with the Lord on March 9, 2006.

 Bettie Carter has been a trail blazer in the Lupus community for many years. She has been  the Chairperson, Health coordinator and PR person for Living Life with Lupus Support group for 25 years and is also a 30 year Lupus survivor. She has traveled to different cities to support Lupus awareness including Detroit, Milwaukee, State of IL Assembly House of Representatives for the 97th General Assembly with Chairperson Willie Davis , and Washington D.C.  for the Lupus Summit where she got to speak to  congresswomen Robin Kelly about more funding for Lupus. She has done radio interviews, been a guest on  local talk TV, represented LLWL at numerous health fairs and participated in several Lupus research studies.

. 

Bettie has even worked with the Blue Cross Blue Shield building , Willis Towers and many of the downtown Chicago buildings to light up in the color purple for May, which is Lupus  Awareness Month. She has also received proclamations from the Mayor of Chicago and the Governor of IL declaring May as Lupus Awareness Month for the past 8 years!