Ok, by now you guys know I have systemic lupus erythematosus, and my case has gotten worse in the past 6 years. It is the biggest reason I have been mostly MIA the past year or so. I also know I'm not the only person in the fandom who has the disease or knows someone with it.

May is Lupus Awareness Month, and well, let's face it, it's one of the most misunderstood diseases out there. It's hard to diagnose, it's invisible, most people only know of it through a running gag on House (and therefore don't take it seriously), and it currently has no cure. Treatment for it can involve anything from NSAIDs and anti-malarials on up to chemotherapy, steroids, and biologic infusion drugs. It attacks the body in many different ways, and it's unpredictable. Long story short; lupus sucks balls.

The symbol for lupus awareness is a purple butterfly, or really anything purple. So I just wanted to ask (and only if you want to, I don't want anyone to do it if they don't want to), if anyone's up for it, if you could sneak a purple butterfly or two into your art this month? Or maybe just draw your character wearing purple, or purple butterfly wings or something. :) And then maybe go check out lupus.org to read up on other ways to help out.

I would love to see a cure in my lifetime, and honestly it's only been in recent months that I've seen people really starting to take interest in learning about lupus and treating it more seriously (got Selena Gomez to thank for that since she's come out about having it).

So yeah.. put on purple if you would, perhaps spread some butterflies, check out lupus.org, spread the word, yadda yadda yadda, and feel free to ask any questions you have about the disease. Thank you so much guys. :)