In 2011 Grammy nominated singer Oleta Adams told of how she had suffered from lupus for ten years. She said "Lupus has affected every area of my life. We need to bring attention to this disease to further research and development of new treatments for individuals with lupus".
N'Deaye Ba
Actress N'Deaye Ba hid a tragic secret from cast members while filming ITV’s drama ‘Jericho’ - she was suffering from systemic lupus. N'Deaye's condition deteriorated shortly after filming of the drama ended and she was admitted to Guys Hospital, where she spent her last 4 months showing exceptional courage.
She died (aged just 32) from septicemia and kidney failure on April 20 2005 at 1.32pm - exactly the same time of day as she was born. But colleagues and friends only learned of N'Deaye's illness when her mother Christina Ba-Johansson telephoned to say she had died.
Backstreet Boys
Howie Dorough
"A little over three years ago my sister Caroline died of lupus," says Howie. "After the funeral, the band was supposed to do a big concert in South America. Everyone was telling me I should go, that Caroline would have wanted me to go because she loved our music and was so proud that I was doing what I loved." So three hours after burying his sister, Howie was on a flight to South America.
"And that's when it hit me — how fragile life is and I just lost it," he says. "I realized that we get so caught up in our jobs and forget about the important things. The Backstreet Boys don't matter at all if you don't have your health. Your health and your family are everything." The long flight left Howie with plenty of time to reflect on his sister's life and the pain he felt over her passing.
"There are five kids in my family. I'm the baby. My sister Caroline was 12 years older than me, so she was always my babysitter — we were very close," recalls Howie. "Then Caroline came to us and told us she had lupus. Caroline just thought of it like diabetes, that it was something she had to deal with, but nothing was going to hold her back." But after her first child was born the lupus got worse.
Despite the setback, Caroline still wanted to have another child. Two miscarriages followed. Her second child was born four months premature with cerebral palsy. And her lupus worsened.
Howie says his long flight to South America was made all the more difficult because he was unable to say goodbye to Caroline before she died.
"I've struggled with that a lot," admits Howie. "It happened so fast. It was September of 1998. We were celebrating winning our first MTV award and my dad called my brother John to let him know Caroline was in the hospital. He told my brother not to tell me but I could tell something was wrong and I dragged it out of him."
Howie told his tour manager that he was going to have to miss the next show and left immediately to be by Caroline's side.
"But I missed my flight by 10 minutes," says Howie. "By the time I got to the hospital the doctor was trying to resuscitate her, but we lost her. I felt so terrible that I hadn't been able to say goodbye to her. I just couldn't stop thinking about missing that first flight."
In Caroline's honor, Howie and his family started the Dorough Lupus Foundation to support lupus research and treatment throughout the world.
Beethoven
Beethoven — It was suspected that Beethoven had lupus. The following was written about him: “Beethoven may well have had the specific form of immunopathic disease known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, which typically commences in early adult life with a fever accompanied by mental confusion. Typical symptoms are destructive rash ('lupus') and redness ('erythema') of the butterfly area of the face. Any of the immunopathic disorders may occur, notably colitis. The excellent life-mask of 1812 shows an elongated atrophic scar particularly suggestive of Lupus. The portraits clearly show flushing of the cheekbones and nose. Beethoven's high colour was frequently commented on and may have aroused suspicions of heavy drinking”. Larkin, 1970
Rachel Blanchard
Actress Rachel appeared in such films as Snakes on a Plane and The Rage (Carrie 2) and many tv series such as Joey, Clueless and the Littlest Hobo. Her mother has lupus.
Shannon Boxx
Shannon Boxx was diagnosed with lupus in 2007 when she was 30 years old. At the time she was playing for the U.S. National Soccer Team and had begun feeling extremely fatigued; regular training sessions left her with joint pain and muscle soreness.
She went public with her lupus diagnosis in April 2012 and is now working with the Lupus Foundation of America to create awareness about this chronic autoimmune disease that affects 1.5 million people in the U.S. Shannon took part in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Toni Braxton
The seven-time Grammy winner was diagnosed with the auto-immune disease in 2008 after suffering a heart attack during a performance in Las Vegas.
While accepting a Women in Achievement award at the 8th Annual Lupus LA Bag Ladies Luncheon, she told the audience:
“Today I’m going to talk about it because I’m a survivor and I’m here, and I don’t want to lose hope. Take a look — this is what lupus looks like.”
She offered up some sound advice for people who are braving the same battle. “It’s not your fault. It’s nothing you did. It’s just what it is. It’s just what your body is or has become. There’s nothing you could have done to change it.”
Toni then took to Twitter to share with fans and well-wishers that she feels a “relief” after coming forward.
Fortunately, Toni has many supporters – including the likes of Lady GaGa.
Billboard reports that in an ad placed the program for the luncheon, the pop superstar wrote: “Toni, your strength is admirable. As a woman whose family has been affected by lupus, I understand your struggle and have you in my thoughts.”
Sheldon Brown
Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Back, Sheldon Browns father had lupus and his grandfather died from the disease.
Kelle Bryan
Kelle is a Patron of the Lupus Trust, her story has appeared in many publications such as Cosmopolitan and the Daily Mail.
Kelle, formally of the girl band ‘Eternal’ and currently in Hollyoaks, has lupus and has been treated by Professor David D’Cruz of the Louise Coote Lupus Unit at St. Thomas’ Hospital.
Kelle has a son Regan, born in October 2011 (Lupus Awareness month!) and a daughter Kayori, born in 2013.
Donald Byrne
Donald Byrne (Pictured with Bobby Fischer) June 12, 1930–April 8, 1976 was one of the USA's strongest chess players during the 1950s and 1960s. He died of complications arising from lupus.
Nick Cannon
America’s got talent presenter and ex husband of singer Mariah Carey, announced in 2012 that he had lupus nephritis.
“It’s a form of lupus that’s just attacking my kidneys,” Cannon told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “They thought it was just kidney disease, and then they were trying to figure out why my immune system was attacking my kidneys, and that was sort of the root of it all.”
He first became aware of his condition when he was hospitalized in January 2012 whilst on vacation in Aspen with his wife and their twins. He was diagnosed with kidney failure and later developed blood clots in his lungs, another complication of the disease. “A lot of people have passed away from that. The doctor said it was lucky I was in such great shape.”
Andrew Castle
Andrew Castle. Television and radio presenter, former tennis professional.
“I watched my mother suffer terribly from lupus over the last years of her life, at times she was terrified and so were we".
Dale Dedrick
Paralympic Equestrian Dale Dedrick was diagnosed with Lupus during her time at the University of Michigan causing her multiple joint deformities, muscle weakness of an inflammatory nature, and significant heart disease. She retired in 1992 as an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Internal Medicine.
Dale took part in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Destiny's Child
Their original Manager, Andretta Tillman, died of lupus in 1997 and Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles took over.
Dido
Dido’s father, William Armstrong, almost died after being admitted to the Middlesex Hospital with severe lupus which lead to septicaemia and liver failure. He spent 5 months in intensive care before going on to make a remarkable recovery.
The doctor described him as “one of the most severely ill people I have known to have survived."
Jay Dilla
American Rapper/producer Jay Dilla (or Jay Dee), died in February 2006 aged 32 from lupus complications. He had been diagnosed with lupus for 3 years and had been on kidney dialysis for 2 years.
Kelly Drury
Kelly ‘s career began as an international model. Her acting career then blossomed as she landed a recurring role on General Hospital. She's even rubbed shoulders with Mike Myers as one of the infamous ‘femme bots’ for Austin Powers!
June Easton
Actress June Easton died on 2nd April 2005 aged 72 from complications of lupus. She was the wife of actor Robert Easton. She was a dialect coach at her husband’s firm “Henry Higgins of Hollywood inc”.
Robert Easton is considered one of the top dialect coaches in the film industry, teaching over 80 different dialects. June appeared in several films with her husband including: Paint your wagon, Tai-pan and Timber Tramps.
Tomiko Fraser
Tomiko Fraser is an American actress and fashion model, well known as one of the faces of cosmetics company Maybelline. Here sister, Shneequa, has lupus which has affected her brain and central nervous system.
Cindy Frey
Cindy Frey, wife of Glen Frey (formerly of the band the Eagles, deceased 2015), has lupus.
She said "Lupus has been raging through our population of young women, cutting short the opportunity for them to reach their full potential, often it targets the very driven woman who has so much to give. Lupus LA has been a front-runner in the fight to cure this disease by raising funds for research and supporting patients."
