Toni Braxton will soon receive an honor that, to her, is just as prestigious as her seven Grammy Awards.
The R&B/pop star will be presented with Lupus LA’s Loop Award for her work on behalf of the organization’s ongoing fight against the autoimmune disease. The presentation will take place during Lupus LA’s 15th annual Orange Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on May 4.
Braxton, who revealed her own lupus diagnosis in 2010, recalls that Lupus LA was the first organization to reach out to her. “When I was first diagnosed, I felt so terrible about myself,” she reflects. “I was depressed; was it something I did? But they got me on track in terms of educating myself about the illness. I’m honored, flattered and excited to be receiving this award.”
Of her continuing work with the Lupus LA board, Braxton says it’s imperative to keep building awareness for a disease that doesn’t have a look to it. “You can look perfectly fine but inside you can feel like you’re dying,” she explains. “It’s important to let people with this illness know that they are not alone. I feel good knowing that maybe my life can be an example to help others: If she can do it, I can do it.”
