CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings spotlight Lupus Foundation

Published on January 30, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.— The Memphis RiverKings will spotlight the Lupus Foundation, Memphis Area Chapter, on Friday, Feb.6. during the ‘Kings 7:05 p.m. game against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

The Lupus Foundation, which is dedicated to educating and supporting those affected by lupus and to finding the cure, is selling tickets to the Feb. 6 hockey game. Fifty percent of each sale will go to the Lupus Foundation.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body fights against itself. It is often misdiagnosed, because it mimics other diseases like arthritis in its symptoms, which include joint and muscle pain, fatigue, a butterfly rash on the face, skin irritation in reaction to sunlight, pleurisy, chest pain with breathing, appetite and hair loss, inexplicable low-grade fevers and extreme sensitivity of the fingers to cold.

In addition, symptoms mysteriously seem to vanish away—a lupus patient is "in remission" when this happens—and come back. These "flares" can be mild—or life-threatening.

"Lupus is no respecter of persons," said Acquanetta Thomas, President of Lupus Foundation, Memphis chapter. "It can affect anyone, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, native American, it doesn't matter."

Thomas said, however, that according to statistics the disease mostly affects women in their child-bearing years, ages 15 to 45. The disease causes inflammation in the skin, joints, blood and kidneys.

"It's not cancerous; it's not AIDS; it's not communicable," Thomas said. "You can't catch it. There's no known cause or cure at this time. It's a very mysterious disease."

Thomas said no new medicines have been fully approved for lupus treatment in 30 years. However, researchers are in the process now of developing better medicines and treatment.

"We are excited to see new treatment options on the horizon," Thomas said. "In the past, some patients were even told that it's all in their head, that they are imagining it. It is our mission to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, support individuals and families affected by the disease, and increase awareness of lupus among health professionals and the public. We want to find the cure."

To help the Lupus Foundation by buying tickets to the RiverKings game, call the Foundation's Memphis Area Chapter office at 901-458-5302.

· Who: Memphis RiverKings

· What: feature the Lupus Foundation as the Non-Profit of the Night during game against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs

· When: Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:05 p.m.

· Where: DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven

· How to get more information or tickets: Call the Lupus Foundation, Memphis Area Chapter at 901-458-5302. The Foundation will receive 50 percent of the ticket price.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2004


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