Sen. Hwang, Reps. Kupchick and Devlin Raising Awareness About Lupus

HARTFORD – State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28) and state Reps. Brenda Kupchick (R-132) and Laura Devlin (R-134) joined the Connecticut Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America at the Capitol Building May 5 in support of the ongoing effort to unravel the mystery of Lupus, an extremely misunderstood chronic autoimmune disease.

The legislators joined the organization for its Advocacy Day, an annual event to raise awareness about Lupus, which affects approximately 1.5 million Americans. They presented the organization with a proclamation from Gov. Malloy, in recognition of the work the Connecticut Chapter of the Lupus Foundation does in our state and in celebration of May being Lupus Awareness Month.

“I am delighted to see the outpouring of support from our elected officials today for our state advocacy day,” said Corrianne Gagliardi, Director of Development and Communications for the Lupus Foundation of America, Connecticut Chapter. “Educating individuals of the cruel impact lupus has on our patients’ day-to-day life is extremely important and vital in allowing us to get one step closer to finding a cure.”

Acknowledging those with Lupus at the event, the legislators thanked them for coming to the Capitol to put a face to this devastating disease that has no known cure.

“Events like today are so very important to further the effort of educating people about Lupus,” Sen. Hwang said. “In raising awareness, we hope to strengthen the support system and move us closer to finding a cure.”

“We have to raise awareness of this debilitating disease that strikes women almost entirely. Making Connecticut women aware and the annual awareness month is a great step in that direction,” Rep. Kupchick said.

“Lupus is a very serious disease affecting many people in Connecticut, some who do not even know it yet. I am glad to see that the State House feels that this is a worthwhile cause to support and looks to encourage awareness,” said Rep. Devlin, one of the House of Representatives Ambassadors for the Connecticut Chapter of the Lupus Foundation.

For more information about Lupus, please visit: http://www.lupus.org/connecticut.