Dec. 14, 2009
CHICAGO- The University of Illinois at Chicago men's basketball program will team up with the Illinois Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America to host Lupus Awareness Night this Wednesday, Dec. 16 during the Flames' game against Oregon State.
The game between the Flames and the Beavers takes place at 7 p.m. inside the UIC Pavilion.
The Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter will sell tickets to the game, with portions of the proceeds from ticket sales benefitting the chapter.
A basketball autographed by UIC head coach Jimmy Collins and Oregon State head coach Craig Robinson will be raffled off during the game.
In addition, the Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter will have an information table on the concourse.
"The Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter is thrilled that UIC has made Wednesday, December 16 Lupus Night to highlight the importance of education about this potentially life-threatening disease," said Mary Dollear, Vice President of the Lupus Foundation of America's Illinois Chapter. "We are grateful to the Flames, the Beavers, Coach Robinson and especially Coach Collins for making this evening possible.
"In a country where two out of three people know little to nothing about lupus and yet one in every 200 is estimated to have the disease, we need lupus champions like Coach Collins to spread the word."
Collins is very active in the fight against lupus. His daughter, Erica, is battling the disease and serves on the board of directors of the Lupus Foundation of America's Illinois Chapter. The Flames have also participated in the annual Walk For Lupus Now events in the Chicagoland area.
"Having a daughter who suffers from this dreaded disease, I feel the pain of those families dealing with lupus and know the importance of making the public aware of the urgency involved with finding a cure," said Collins.
"We ask for support to raise awareness about lupus and the need for lupus research because it affects so many of our citizens."
Purple is the symbolic color of lupus awareness, so the UIC coaching staff will wear purple ties during the game to promote lupus awareness. Purple carnations will also be worn by both the UIC and Oregon State coaching staffs in support of lupus awareness on Wednesday.
Lupus is a chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and tissue damage to virtually every organ system in the body. Currently, 65,000 Illinois residents are estimated to live with lupus, an unpredictable and potentially fatal autoimmune disease for which there presently is no satisfactory treatment or cure. Lupus strikes mostly young women; however anyone can develop the disease at any age. Lupus is more common among minorities - a disparity that remains unexplained.
The Illinois Chapter is part of the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) - the nation's leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus, and providing services, support and hope to all people affected by lupus. The LFA has a nationwide network of nearly 300 chapters, branches and support groups serving individuals with lupus, their families and health professionals.
To purchase tickets through the Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter in support of lupus, fans can purchase LFAI tickets for $15 apiece by contacting Sarah Chambers at 312-542-0002 or via e-mail at Sarah@lupusil.org.
For more information on the Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter, visit the organization's official website here.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link
2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."
Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.
