Penny Fletcher is the president and chief executive officer of the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Washington Chapter, lupusgw.org.
How did you get involved with the Lupus Foundation?
My mother had lupus and so I was really inspired to find out more. And it’s become even more of a cause than it used to be. My mother had lupus for many years. What I realized now, she probably had lupus for decades before she was diagnosed.
What is the focus of the organization?
We work every day to help find the causes and cure but also to help the people who are going through this. Our real priority is awareness. We need a whole lot more knowledge about what lupus is in the community so that people don’t go that long without being diagnosed. The people who have the best results are the ones who are diagnosed early.
What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. The body attacks itself. Normally your immune system defends against infection. With lupus, it makes the mistake in thinking that your own body is invading, so it attacks your organs. Nine out of 10 lupus patients are women, and women of color. They are four times more likely to get it than a Caucasian.
What’s the progress in finding a cure?
There has not been a new drug for this disease since Dwight Eisenhower was president, but two are in clinical trials right now.
You have the Walk for Lupus Now this Saturday on the Mall.
This is a true grassroots fundraiser. We’re going to have 1,000 walkers. … They’ll all be carrying butterflies. That’s our symbol.
Why the butterfly?
One of the symptoms of the disease is people get a butterfly rash across their cheeks and nose. So it symbolizes the disease, but it also symbolizes hope.
