The Tribune

ON Whit Monday, around 100 Bahamians gathered at the top of Fort Charlotte for Hope Floats -- a balloon release ceremony to remember Bahamians who lost the battle with lupus.

Lupus Bahamas 242 partnered with event sponsors The Balloon People for the ceremony. This was the group's final activity for Lupus Awareness Month.

The ceremony included poems and tributes by loved ones, including a touching tribute by Wellington Miller who lost his wife, Gloria, to lupus in March.

After the brief ceremony, 100 biodegradable orange and purple balloons floated across the sky. Purple represents the strength and courage needed to fight lupus and the orange represents research and hope for a cure.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. Although there is no known cause for the disease, genetics, environment and hormones all play a part in whether a person develops lupus.

Common symptoms include debilitating pain, fatigue and unexplained flare-ups affecting random parts of the body, especially internal organs.

More than five million people live with the illness worldwide. There are no real statistics on the number of persons in the Bahamas with lupus but the group is working on establishing a database.

"We thought this was a fitting way to end our events for Lupus Awareness Month," said Shanelle Brennen, Lupus Bahamas 242 president and a lupus fighter for more than 20 years.

In addition to Hope Floats, the group also hosted a POP (Put On Purple) for Lupus event on May 10 and a Purple Hat Tea Party Affair on May 20.

"Our goal is to raise awareness, provide support and contribute to the global research efforts for a cure," Ms Brennen said. "As we took the time to commemorate their lives, we strive on with the hope that someday there will be a cure for this illness."