[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 18, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of 
National Lupus Awareness Month.
  This is an important time to pause to reflect on what more we can do 
to solve the cruel mystery of this disease, while providing caring 
support to those across our Nation who suffer from its impact. Lupus 
affects around 1.5 million Americans and 100,000 Floridians, including 
men, women, and children of all ages. It is a chronic autoimmune 
disease that is difficult to diagnose, and there is no known cause or 
cure.
  I want to recognize the hard-working Americans fighting to 
understand, educate, and find a cure for this disease, and I want to 
thank the Florida Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America for their 
work to raise awareness, support research, and conduct education 
programs so every Floridian affected by lupus can have an improved 
quality of life.
  I also want to thank the volunteers that generously give their time 
throughout the year to educate and help patients with lupus, including 
two outstanding Floridians: Anne Bright and Denise Brown.
  Anne Bright, who suffers from lupus herself, is one of the founding 
members of the Florida chapter and has dedicated her life to growing 
the organization and providing help to so many Floridians struggling 
with lupus. Anne leads the Butterfly Bash committee, which has raised 
over half a million dollars over the past decade. As a spirited lupus 
advocate, she touches countless lives, providing hope, resources, and 
comfort to those affected by lupus.
  Denise Brown lost her 18-year-old daughter, Brooke, to lupus in 2017. 
Brooke had been diagnosed with lupus at the age of 12, and her 
courageous battle with lupus inspired her dreams to become a nurse. 
Unfortunately, Brooke never got to pursue those dreams. Denise honors 
Brooke's memory every day by dedicating her life to raising awareness 
of lupus and its effect on people of all ages, especially children, and 
helping those going through the unimaginable stress and hardship of 
this disease.
  This Lupus Awareness Month, I thank the brave and hard-working 
volunteers like Anne and Denise and the wonderful organizations in 
Florida and across the Nation working hard to improve the quality for 
those struggling with lupus and getting us closer to a cure.

                          ____________________