For the past five years, Lakeshore has fundraised money for the Lupus Society of Illinois. Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks healthy cells. While there is currently not a cure for lupus, treatment can help control symptoms. About 5 million people live with lupus worldwide; impacting people of all ages, races and genders. Predominately, however, this disease heavily impacts two minority groups: women and people of color. Due to this, lupus does not gain the awareness and resources it needs to help those impacted throughout their lifetimes. For this reason, Lakeshore stands behind supporting those that fight this disease by raising awareness and funds to support the lupus community.

In 2015, Lakeshore’s CEO, Alan Handley and his family learned his 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with lupus. After learning firsthand the impacts of this disease, Lakeshore dedicated itself to raising awareness and finding a cure for a disease that impacts so many. In 2018, Lakeshore also opened the first lupus clinic at Comer Children’s Hospital. Lupus can have many symptoms and because of this, it can be expensive for families to go to different types of hospitals for each of their symptoms. The lupus clinic at Comer Children’s Hospital allows for children with lupus to go to one place to get treated, no matter their symptoms. This helps parents save time and money when making sure that their children are getting their lupus symptoms treated properly and quickly. This year, Lakeshore has a lupus truck to continue to help bring awareness to the disease.

May is Lupus Awareness Month and for the fifth consecutive year, Lakeshore is partnering with the Lupus Society of Illinois to help raise awareness and money for a disease that affects so many people. Lupus Society of Illinois is the Midwest’s leading non-profit health organization that is dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus. They promote lupus awareness and assists health care professionals by providing personalized resources for the lupus community while supporting research. Their primary focus is to provide practical resources such as educational programs, support programs and financial assistance to the lupus community. Lakeshore works closely with them to help make a difference in the lives of people with this lifelong disease. To learn more about lupus, its impacts and how you can help, visit the Lupus Society of Illinois website.