Here's how local lupus communities are working together to conquer lupus...

MOPAR MADNESS
Mopar Madness was held at Kwantlen College in Langley on Sunday July 13, 2008. The show was open to all Chrysler built cars and trucks as well as any Mopar powered hotrods. There were over 200 cars entered – some of which bring over 2 million dollars at car auctions. For the 3rd year, the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts, food and raffle tickets were donated to the BC Lupus Society.
Thank you so much Allan Cassidy!

3RD ANNUAL BURGER EATING CONTEST FOR CHARITY Burgers Etc. BBQ House at 4091 Hastings St. in Burnaby once again held its Annual Burger Eating Contest for charity. 50% of all money raised went to the charity of the contest winner's choice, with the other 50% ($885) going to the charity of the restaurant's choice, the B.C. Lupus Society. Owners Mary & Calvin Levesque are all too familiar with this disease A dear friend of one of the owners just passed away from  Lupus on April 3, 2008 and a very close family member is currently battling the disease. Needless to say, they have a strong desire to help find a cure for Lupus. The restaurant just celebrated it’s 3rd anniversary on June 1st. Burgers Etc. BBQ House specializes in gourmet burgers (made of ground chuck steak), but also offer a great selection of BBQ meats like pulled pork, beef brisket, BBQ chicken and BBQ ribs. Approximately 9 months into business, they were awarded the “Best Burger in the Lower Mainland” by viewers of CTV News. Business has been steady since that time.   Visit burgers-etc.com.    

Left to right: contest winner Mike McCorkell, owner Calvin Levesque, Josie Bradley VP Lupus Society, owner Mary Levesque

TEXTURA SALON, 2072 West 4th Avenue, held a HAIRCUTS for LUPUS day raising $1,300 for the Lupus Society.   On June 1, 2008 Textura Salon hosted the first annual Hair Cuts for Lupus event.      Stylists Beth, Clara, Kristina, and Kane generously donated their  time and effort to make this fundraiser a success. The event was organized to raise money to help in the search for a cure for lupus. Hair Cuts for Lupus was so well received that all the stylists were fully booked all day! Textura looks forward to next year’s event that will see extended hours so more people will be able to participate. David Chiarello, Textura Owner.  Visit Textura Salon.

Beth, Clara, Ilona, Kristina, and Kane

Talmud Torah School Grade 7 classes donated their Bar & Bat Mitzvah money, which was matched by a donor for a total donation of $1250 to the Lupus Society.

The BCLS has received funding from the federal government to pay just over half the costs of hiring a summer student to work as the BC Lupus Information Coordinator for the next 12 weeks. This will enable the society to gather and catalog information for a lupus database destined for the lupus society. Information will be taken from the 2008 symposium presentations and articles from the Lupus Lighthouse for the last 5 or so years. The Lupus Information Coordinator will also distribute lupus information to community groups, medical clinics and service agencies providing assistance to inner city residents. We are very pleased to welcome Rachel Yaroshuk to this new position. Rachel is a fourth year communication student from Simon Fraser University. She has completed a significant project on Lupus Awareness in which she researched medical and social complications of lupus; developed an innovative marketing campaign; and produced promotional presentational materials using current computer technology. We are very lucky to find someone who comes with a great knowledge base. Rachel will be working with our office manager, Gayle Traquair, Vice President and webmaster, Josie Bradley, and Direxctor Susan Milliken on this project.