“All that Glitters is Gold” at the Lupus Foundation of America Texas Gulf Coast Chapter Gala on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston.

Supporters of the local chapter will gather to raise awareness and funds for lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects 1.5 million people, disproportionately impacting those in the Brown and Black communities.

“Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body, causing the immune system to attack healthy tissue instead of fighting infections. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, and a challenge to treat,” said Marc Baca of Russell Reynolds Associates, who is serving as this year’s gala chair. “Many of the debilitating symptoms and impacts of lupus can’t be seen - from extreme fatigue and excruciating joint pain to impacts on the organs like the kidneys, heart, and lungs. Because many of these symptoms aren’t visible, it can often leave those living with lupus feeling misunderstood and isolated.”

Baca knows first-hand about the cruelty of lupus. He lost his mother to the disease when he was a sophomore in high school.

“It’s fitting that they refer to lupus patients as Warriors because my mother did indeed always put on a brave face, even though she was frequently in intense pain,” he said.

The gala will honor all Lupus Warriors, including Cheryl Yetz of Missouri City, who has suffered from the disease for nearly 20 years. Despite her diagnosis, Cheryl has become a fierce advocate for the Lupus Foundation, raising more than $100,000 for research advancements and awareness of lupus.

“One thing I’ve learned is that people are quick to minimize a disease when they don’t understand it,” said Yetz. “I don’t think there is enough education and awareness around autoimmune diseases like lupus, which is why I’m so passionate about fundraising and increasing the public’s knowledge about the disease. It’s invisible to so many people. So I’m doing everything I can to lift the curtain and increase awareness of whose individuals afflicted with lupus go through.”

Also, in attendance at the gala will be Kennetra “Kik” Searcy, Miss Black USA 2017, who also is a Lupus Warrior. Kiki almost died twice during childbirth as a result of the disease.

“We are grateful to Marc for serving as chair of the gala and all Lupus Warriors like Cheryl and Kiki who tirelessly share their stories to one day find a cure for this debilitating disease,” said Anne Marie Blacketer, CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America Texas Gulf Coast Chapter.

For more information about the gala and to learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, visit www.lupus.org/texasgulfcoast.