Lupus LA Raises Approx. $300,000 at Annual Bag Ladies Luncheon

On Friday, November 16, Lupus LA held their 16th Annual Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event raised nearly $300,000 to support Lupus LA's mission to find the causes of and a cure for Lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects over 1.5 million Americans.

Comedian Caroline Rhea hosted the event, which featured a fashion show by Theory and a silent auction of hundreds of handbags donated by top designers and celebrities. Others in attendance included Lupus LA Ambassadors Melissa Joan Hart, Taylor Spreitler and Kellie Martin.

Actress Beth Behrs presented to honorees Tichina and Zenay Arnold, and revealed her mother, Maureen Behrs, has lupus.

Said Behrs: "I invited my mother to be here with me today. My mom, Maureen, was diagnosed with Lupus in her early 30s at John’s Hopkins after bouts of fatigue and joint pain. She is very lucky that hers is a mild form of the disease, and she has no organ involvement as of yet, but as a teacher and a wonderful mother it impacts her life tremendously. She has to take medication daily, and uses yoga and exercise to combat the pain and inflammation. Tichina’s sister, Zenay, was not so lucky. The doctors told her she had seven years to live. Through the love and support of her family, especially her sister and her Aunty, Zenay is still with us and just gave birth to the most adorable baby boy Zayne. I am inspired every single day by these women and the work they do at the WeWin Foundation."

For more information, please visit www.lupusla.org