Hello Toni!
My name is Virginia Thomas and I am an artist and lupus patient in Harrisburg, PA. I used to be a physical therapist, but I had to change my course in life due to lupus. I am currently painting a series of 20 portraits of lupus patients, including a self-portrait, to become a traveling lupus awareness exhibit, and would love to include a portrait of you and one of your brother! My first exhibiting venue is set for the month of May 2012 at the PA State Capitol East Wing Rotunda, in Harrisburg, PA, to coincide with World Lupus Day on May 10. It breaks my heart to hear lupus patients describe to me their fear of sharing their diagnosis of lupus with family, friends and co-workers. Since women of color are much more likely to have lupus, and many with serious organ involvement, I think having you and your brother involved with this awareness campaign would be a tremendous asset!! As you know, lupus is potentially fatal if early diagnosis and treatment is not received, due to the autoantibodies being allowed to inflict their damage to any organ or tissue in the body. Please consider participating in this very important awareness campaign!
Sincerely,
Virginia