Lupus Claims Life of Woman Who Inspired "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too. Lupus is a chronic disease. This means that anyone who develops lupus will have lupus for the rest of his or her life. As with other chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma, there is no cure for lupus yet.

Many celebrities have lupus and many are involved in increasing awareness about the disease. The musician Seal, actress Mary McDonough, pro golfer Salimah Mussani, and Major League Baseball player Timothy Raines all have lupus.

Many who are fighting lupus are reminded of the deaths caused by the disease. Celebrities and other notables who died from complications of the disease include journalist Charles Kurault, actor Ray Walston and former Phillipines President Ferdinand Marcos. Although his cause of death was not listed as lupus, pop icon Micheal Jackson had lupus.

The death of Lucy Vodden of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" fame will hopefully bring even more awareness to the forefront about lupus. More information can be found on the Lupus Foundation site, Lupus.org.

Written by Cheryl Phillips
Exclusive to HULIQ.com

sources: AP, Lupus Foundation