Having said to be a cruel disease based on research, lupus is an autoimmune and chronic disease that is capable of damaging any part of the body such as skin, joints, and organic movement. As a result, it is likely that it can destroy the person’s tissues, causing severe pain in muscles when they breathe and giving occasional headaches.

It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world suffer from a form of lupus, while more than 16,000 new cases and information of lupus are reported every year across the country. The lupus disease is medically manageable, with proper  medical care a person who is diagnosed with lupus can live a full life. 

Hosted by the sisters of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority and the brothers of Nu Delta Pi Fraternity, the second annual Lupus Charity Ball took place on Monday, March 9, 2015. Students walked into Downs Hall with such an incredible enthusiasm, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., while all dressed up and looking professional as can ever be.

As students entered, there became no doubt that the charity dinner would turn out to be successful and rewarding.

Adriana Castro, a graduating senior majoring in computer science, as well as president of Chi Upsilon Sigma, explains the core idea of the event saying, “the main purpose we held this [event] was to educate the community about lupus and to also raise money to donate to the Lupus Foundation of New Jersey.”

She further demonstrates the planning process to make the event possible by saying, “the idea came about between some of my sorority sisters and some brothers from Nu Delta Pi. We all wanted to collaborate and do an event that geared toward the lupus disease because we have a sister in our chapter whose mom is diagnosed with lupus and also a mother of a brother from Nu Delta Pi,” declared the sorority’s president.

When the charity ball was held last year for the first time, the students seemed to have an absolutely joyous time, so the brothers and sisters decided to create an everlasting tradition taking place every year and inspiring the Kean culture.

Fortunately for the Kean community, the Lupus Foundation of America was present at the event, giving the opportunity for students to learn from the speakers about the disease and the effects it gives the average person who is diagnosed.

Brandon Morales, junior marketing major, as well as a brother of Nu Delta Pi was also present at the dinner. He shares his thoughts on the event saying, “not many people know about this unfortunate disease, but I believe the event helped spread awareness. More awareness hopefully will lead to more funding and research,” said Morales.

By attending the event he believes he learned a lot about the disease, who it affects, the possible treatments, and the circumstances of those who have it must go through.

Sarah Sookchand, a junior majoring in business management, was diagnosed with lupus at the age of twenty. She along with many other students actively  went out and learned more about the disease.

Sookchand details her experience with the disease by stating, “lupus has affected my life in such a way where I am unable to perform typical daily activities, such as opening a water bottle, putting on a seatbelt, and lifting up myself from bed.”

Striving to achieve her degree and working diligently to earn a career related to her passion, she believes lupus has given her a loss in interest to study and academically perform. “My medication causes me to have mood swings and memory loss, which takes a huge toll on studying for exams and preparing essays and presentations,” she said.

Despite the student’s challenge, she is thankful she attended the dinner because she was exposed to useful information that further benefited her understanding of the disease.

The generous and outstanding support from the Kean community helped raise a total of $620. Donations were sent to the Lupus Foundation of America.