Mother on a mission to help others with incurable illness (From Enfield Independent)

Mother Loretta Campbell-Allen on a mission to help others with incurable illness Lupus

11:07am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

Running ten kilometres through Ethiopia to raise cash to fight her incurable illness proved just the start of one mother’s charity mission.

Since returning to Edmonton in November, lupus-sufferer Loretta Campbell-Allen decided she wanted to do more to raise awareness of the rare condition and support others living with it.

The 41-year-old, who lives in Winchester Road, has set up her I Am Lupus support group, which will meet for the first time St John and St James Church of England Primary School in Edmonton at 11am on Saturday.

Little is known about lupus, a disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, tissues and organs and can lead to serious complications including kidney failure or heart disease.

She said: "Since I came from Ethiopia I just felt like I needed to do more. I realised that these people need help so it inspired me to start my own support group.

“It has become a mission for me now – to raise awareness and it makes me feel I am doing something positive by giving back and helping people.”

Although a cure has not yet been found, medication is now available to prevent progressive organ damage, allowing many sufferers to have a normal, or near-normal, life expectancy.

The mother knows of 30 people who will attend the two-hour group in Grove Street, but she hopes even more people will come along to meet others with the condition.

She raised £820 for charity Lupus UK by pushing herself to the limit in the Ethiopian marathon and has been spreading the word by speaking on six London radio stations since her return.

She also plans to face her fear of heights by taking part in a charity hot air balloon ride next month.