Lupus

Celebrities, studio executives and supporters of the lupus cause came together for Lupus LA’s largest fundraising event of the year, The Orange Ball: A Night of Superheroes yesterday at the iconic New York Street at FOX Studios. Hosted by Terrence Jenkins, celebrities on hand to help celebrate and raise money included Michael B. Jordan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kristen Johnston, Fear The Walking Dead’s Lorenzo Henrie, David Henrie, Wayne Knight, O-Town’s Jacob Underwood and Trevor Penick, Dream’s Melissa Schuman, The Original’s Haley Ramm, Taylor Spreitler, Sophie Tweed-Simmons, Elisabeth Harnois, Grandfathered’s Kelly Jenrette, Ray Donovan’s Heather McComb, Lupus LA Ambassador Meredith Monroe,country singer Brian Hughes, Lupus LA Ambassador Ali Hillis and more! Ryan Cabrera and Howie Day gave special performances throughout the night. The event raised over $400,000 for lupus research and local patient programs.

Each year Lupus LA presents awards to individuals who strive to make the world better for those living with lupus, whether it is through research, charitable gifts, spreading awareness and more. This year’s recipient of the Loop Award was comedy actress Kristen Johnston, who is also a Lupus LA Ambassador and has helped increase awareness and raise important dollars for research. Her Third Rock From The Sun co-starJoseph Gordon-Levitt presented the award. Additional award recipients included Meredith Davidow Pegula, who received the Daniel J. Wallace Founders Award along with Dr. Paul Hackmeyer who received the Medial Visionary Award for his exemplary dedication to those living with lupus. Event chairs included Jim Gianopulos, chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment, Nancy Utley, President of Fox Searchlight Pictures and Lauren Shuler Donner, acclaimed film producer.

Last night, in the heart of Beverly Hills at the luxurious Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel, more than 500 beautifully dressed women came to show their support for the 8^th Annual Lupus LA Bag Ladies Luncheon. The event featured a silent auction of beautiful handbags donated by top designers and celebrities and a fashion show sponsored by Fendi! Guests of the event included Rachel Zoe and Toni Braxton, who were both awarded with the “Woman in Achievement” award, along with Ali Fedotowsky, Julie Benz, Shante Broadus, and Brittny Gastineau. Toni Braxton also announced, for the first time, that she is and has been living with lupus. During her awards speech, she shocked the crowd by announcing, “I have lupus…take a look, this is what lupus looks like.” Both ladies are so deserving of the award, congratulations!

Committed to the hope and demonstrated the promise of innovative science, Lupus LA partners with the Lupus Research Institute (LRI) to fund novel lupus research that will prevent, treat and cure the complex disease. With the power of Hollywood and the strength of its volunteer leadership, Lupus LA raises lupus awareness throughout the United States. Its fundraising events harness the might of the media and entertainment industries to spread the word about lupus and its symptoms and dangers, and the need for safe and effective new treatments and a cure. Further information about Lupus LA can be found at www.lupusla.org.

Inside The Lupus LA Orange Ball

8th Annual Lupus LA Bag Ladies Luncheon