THE INVISIBLE ILLNESS – A COMIC BOOK ABOUT LIFE WITH LUPUS

The Michigan Lupus Foundation is launching a unique and creative story-driven project to help raise crucial funding for the nonprofit. The foundation has partnered with Michigan-based BrandComix, a division of ComixWellspring, to create "The Invisible Illness" — an original comic book that illustrates the real struggles of living with lupus and the life-changing support the Michigan Lupus Foundation provides.

The original comic book tells the story of a young mother living with lupus, showcasing the reality of invisible illness – how it affects daily life, how hard it is to get diagnosed and why community support is so essential to ensure no one battles lupus alone. "The Invisible Illness" comic book will educate, inspire and show the unseen battles of lupus. Donors and corporate sponsors have the rare opportunity to receive printed recognition in each copy. Donor levels range from $25 to $1000+.

Earlier this year, the Michigan Lupus Foundation announced an urgent capital campaign to raise $125,000 in emergency funds to ensure the nonprofit is able to continue offering support services for those with lupus in the state of Michigan. Like many similar patient support organizations across the country, the foundation recently experienced a substantial setback when pharmaceutical sponsors eliminated longtime financial support from groups nationwide. Without the necessary critical funding, the foundation will be forced to close its doors.

“This project didn’t just come to us – it found us, like fate,” Dan Hills, CEO of Comix Wellspring & Creator of BrandComix, said. “Watching my wife battle lupus—the fatigue, the pain and the frustration of not being believed—showed me how invisible this illness truly is. When I heard the Michigan Lupus Foundation might shut down, I knew we had to do something. As a storytelling company, we decided to use what we do best: bring this experience to life through comics. “The Invisible Illness” is more than a book. It’s a movement, a resource and a timeless tool for awareness. Long after the campaign ends, this story will continue reaching people, opening eyes and reminding lupus warriors that they are seen.”

It is estimated around 14,000 Michiganders suffer from lupus and as many as 1.5 million across the United States. More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined. The Michigan Lupus Foundation hosts events and special initiatives to help raise awareness about the physical, emotional and financial impact of lupus. Spreading awareness provides support, resources and advocacy for people fighting the disease.

“The Invisible Illness” comic book will be distributed to supporters in May, during national Lupus Awareness Month, to help raise awareness and serve as an ongoing tool for education and advocacy.

To learn more about “The Invisible Illness” and support the project, visit https://www.milupus.org/comic-book.

About Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. It can affect any part of the body causing widespread pain and inflammation. People with lupus often suffer from joint pain, extreme fatigue and organ damage. Diagnosing lupus can take 2-6 years on average, per patient since it can often mimic other diseases and there is not one conclusive test. Lupus primarily affects young women between the ages of 15-45 years old and occurs more frequently in women of African American, Hispanic or Asian descent. More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined. Two-thirds of the U.S. population does not know what lupus is, making it one of the foundation’s top priorities to increase awareness about this debilitating disease. There is currently no cure for lupus.

About the MI Lupus Foundation

The Michigan Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure. The foundation provides financial and informational resources for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers including support groups, counseling services, financial assistance, advocating with lawmakers at the state and federal level to amplify the patient voice, funding state and nationwide research as well as hosting awareness and educational events across the entire state of Michigan. The Michigan Lupus Foundation has been continually serving Michigan since 1974 and is working to build a brighter future for all lupus patients and their families. For more information, visit http://milupus.org.

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