Who We Are
THE PURPLE BUTTERFLY, INC. is a non-profit organization organized and operated in accordance with the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code. The activities of the Corporation are limited so as to qualify the organization as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Such exemption has been received.
THE PURPLE BUTTERFLY, INC. functions for charitable and educational purposes, primarily to educate and inform the general public; particularly women, youth and minority communities, regarding diseases, LUPUS in particular, and other physical, social and environmental conditions that disproportionately affect these segments of the population.
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT:
Primary tools used to fulfill these purposes include public awareness programs, seminars, workshops and other outreach to include:
• Presentations at schools, hospitals and community organizations
• Participation in health fairs and other community events
• Distribution of brochures and materials
• Public service announcements and other activities utilizing print and broadcast media and
• Educational entertainment utilizing the visual and performing arts.
THE PURPLE BUTTERFLY, INC. also raises funds, including soliciting or obtaining contributions from the general public, necessary to finance programs and projects and to operate programs or projects, in its own behalf or on behalf of others whose programs or projects promote the purposes for which the Corporation is organized.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
• Tell others about Lupus. Serve as spokesperson for Public Service Advertisements for radio and television
• Write an editorial or article about need for more awareness about Lupus, particularly among minorities
• Serve as Honorary Host/Sponsor of local Walk/Race for Lupus awareness
• Identify potential individual and organizational sponsors that may contribute to the organization
• Serve as speaker at future Lupus Awareness events
• Inform elected officials of the need for support of Lupus Awareness and financial support for Lupus research
• Volunteer with the Purple Butterfly
• Donate to the Purple Butterfly. Make a one-time contribution or become an on-going contributor
WE ARE MOST THANKFUL OF ANY ASSISTANCE THAT MAY BE PROVIDED!!!
THE PURPLE BUTTERFLY, INC. functions for charitable and educational purposes, primarily to educate and inform the general public; particularly women, youth and minority communities, regarding diseases, LUPUS in particular, and other physical, social and environmental conditions that disproportionately affect these segments of the population.
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT:
Primary tools used to fulfill these purposes include public awareness programs, seminars, workshops and other outreach to include:
• Presentations at schools, hospitals and community organizations
• Participation in health fairs and other community events
• Distribution of brochures and materials
• Public service announcements and other activities utilizing print and broadcast media and
• Educational entertainment utilizing the visual and performing arts.
THE PURPLE BUTTERFLY, INC. also raises funds, including soliciting or obtaining contributions from the general public, necessary to finance programs and projects and to operate programs or projects, in its own behalf or on behalf of others whose programs or projects promote the purposes for which the Corporation is organized.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
• Tell others about Lupus. Serve as spokesperson for Public Service Advertisements for radio and television
• Write an editorial or article about need for more awareness about Lupus, particularly among minorities
• Serve as Honorary Host/Sponsor of local Walk/Race for Lupus awareness
• Identify potential individual and organizational sponsors that may contribute to the organization
• Serve as speaker at future Lupus Awareness events
• Inform elected officials of the need for support of Lupus Awareness and financial support for Lupus research
• Volunteer with the Purple Butterfly
• Donate to the Purple Butterfly. Make a one-time contribution or become an on-going contributor
WE ARE MOST THANKFUL OF ANY ASSISTANCE THAT MAY BE PROVIDED!!!
WHY WE WERE CREATED:
On April 8, 2005 at age 22, Jamila Aisha Jones, “The Purple Butterfly”, passed due to “complications related to Lupus”. Until she was diagnosed, just four years earlier, neither she nor her family was familiar with the disease. Yet it is estimated that more people have Lupus than MS, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, sickle cell anemia, leukemia and are HIV positive combined. In fact, even after the diagnosis and now over six years since her passing, there has been little or no publicity about the disease in the media. Many other diseases receive widespread publicity through telethons, races and walks, stamps, bumper stickers, public service announcements, etc, etc. Yet, in the general community, and more importantly, the minority community, there has been little or no publicity about Lupus. Why our emphasis on the minority community? Because it is a known fact that Lupus preys upon African American and other minorities, especially women of childbearing age, more so than other groups. Ninety percent of diagnosed Lupus patients (particularly those between the ages of 15 and 45) are women, and the disease is more prevalent among minorities. One in 250 African American women is affected, as opposed to only 1 in 400 white women. African American women aged 15 to 40 have the highest Lupus rates. Some studies show that African Americans get Lupus at an earlier age than other races and that the disease may be worse for them as well.
OTHER LUPUS FACTS:
• Nearly 1.5 million Americans have Lupus. Approximately 55,000 Georgians have Lupus. Every thirty minutes, someone is diagnosed with Lupus.
• Many people suffer from Lupus for months or years without a diagnosis because many of its symptoms come and go and often look like those of other illnesses. On average, it takes patients four years and visits with three physicians before they are correctly diagnosed. Lupus is difficult to diagnose because many symptoms mimic other illnesses, are sometimes vague, may come and go and may range from mild to life threatening.
• Lupus is a significant, life diminishing and life-threatening disease that can cause significant damage to almost any vital organ of the body. It can affect the joints, the skin, the kidneys, the lungs, the heart, or the brain.
• There is currently no known cause or cure for Lupus. The truth is that no one can even tell you what will happen, because everyone with Lupus has a different experience.
• Lupus is not infectious, cancerous or contagious. Although there is no known cause, it is believed a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors work together to trigger the disease.
• Lupus is a disease that attacks the immune system. It is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy tissues and organs.
• Though the signs of Lupus differ from one person to another, there are some common signs. The most common symptoms include achy joints, swollen and painful joints, unexplained fever over 100 degrees F, prolonged or extreme fatigue, skin rashes, unusual hair loss, sores in the mouth or nose, chest pain or shortness of breath, red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, anemia, abnormal blood clotting, sensitivity to the sun, swollen ankles, fingers turning white and/or blue in the cold, seizures and kidney problems, blood problems – low blood counts, positive ANA blood tests, other positive blood tests. A person may have one or more of these symptoms at the same time. If a person has four or more, they are said to have Lupus.
On April 8, 2005 at age 22, Jamila Aisha Jones, “The Purple Butterfly”, passed due to “complications related to Lupus”. Until she was diagnosed, just four years earlier, neither she nor her family was familiar with the disease. Yet it is estimated that more people have Lupus than MS, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, sickle cell anemia, leukemia and are HIV positive combined. In fact, even after the diagnosis and now over six years since her passing, there has been little or no publicity about the disease in the media. Many other diseases receive widespread publicity through telethons, races and walks, stamps, bumper stickers, public service announcements, etc, etc. Yet, in the general community, and more importantly, the minority community, there has been little or no publicity about Lupus. Why our emphasis on the minority community? Because it is a known fact that Lupus preys upon African American and other minorities, especially women of childbearing age, more so than other groups. Ninety percent of diagnosed Lupus patients (particularly those between the ages of 15 and 45) are women, and the disease is more prevalent among minorities. One in 250 African American women is affected, as opposed to only 1 in 400 white women. African American women aged 15 to 40 have the highest Lupus rates. Some studies show that African Americans get Lupus at an earlier age than other races and that the disease may be worse for them as well.
OTHER LUPUS FACTS:
• Nearly 1.5 million Americans have Lupus. Approximately 55,000 Georgians have Lupus. Every thirty minutes, someone is diagnosed with Lupus.
• Many people suffer from Lupus for months or years without a diagnosis because many of its symptoms come and go and often look like those of other illnesses. On average, it takes patients four years and visits with three physicians before they are correctly diagnosed. Lupus is difficult to diagnose because many symptoms mimic other illnesses, are sometimes vague, may come and go and may range from mild to life threatening.
• Lupus is a significant, life diminishing and life-threatening disease that can cause significant damage to almost any vital organ of the body. It can affect the joints, the skin, the kidneys, the lungs, the heart, or the brain.
• There is currently no known cause or cure for Lupus. The truth is that no one can even tell you what will happen, because everyone with Lupus has a different experience.
• Lupus is not infectious, cancerous or contagious. Although there is no known cause, it is believed a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors work together to trigger the disease.
• Lupus is a disease that attacks the immune system. It is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy tissues and organs.
• Though the signs of Lupus differ from one person to another, there are some common signs. The most common symptoms include achy joints, swollen and painful joints, unexplained fever over 100 degrees F, prolonged or extreme fatigue, skin rashes, unusual hair loss, sores in the mouth or nose, chest pain or shortness of breath, red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, anemia, abnormal blood clotting, sensitivity to the sun, swollen ankles, fingers turning white and/or blue in the cold, seizures and kidney problems, blood problems – low blood counts, positive ANA blood tests, other positive blood tests. A person may have one or more of these symptoms at the same time. If a person has four or more, they are said to have Lupus.
THE PURPLE BUTTERFLY, INC. raises funds, including soliciting or obtaining contributions from the general public, necessary to finance programs and projects and to operate programs or projects, in its own behalf or on behalf of others whose programs or projects promote the purposes for which the Corporation is organized.
