Gala Draws Attention to Lupus

Lupus sufferers got some much-needed recognition Tuesday night as the Lupus Foundation of America honored Richard and Jeramie Dreyfuss with the first-ever Summa award at the Beverly Hilton.

The black-tie gala honored the two for their work in raising awareness of the disease and campaigning for research funding. Jeramie, who suffers from lupus, husband Richard and daughter Emily, 6, were the focal point of a reception preceding the dinner. Nancy Horn, president of the Lupus Foundation of America and gala co-chairwoman, and gala chairwoman Glenda Kay Amon were on hand, as were Paul Michael and Elizabeth Glaser, Michele Lee and Fred Rappaport, Theresa Russell, Richard Donner and Lauren Shuler-Donner, John Lithgow and Alan Ladd Jr. Amy Irving, who planned to appear, sent regrets; the actress had had a baby just days before. Among the hundreds of other guests were several doctors involved in lupus treatment and research, and many lupus patients.

Lupus, an auto-immune disease that has varying symptoms and can be life-threatening, affects mostly women and can take years to diagnose. While it affects hundreds of thousands of people, there is little public knowledge of the disease--something the Dreyfusses have tried to change.

In accepting the award, Richard Dreyfuss made an impassioned plea for social responsibility and heaped praise upon his wife, saying: “I am a busy guy, but I’m not as busy as Jeramie. I am a pretty good and decent guy, but not as good and decent as Jeramie. But I am a better whiner. I don’t live in pain as easily as she does. I think we need more Jeramie Dreyfusses both in and out of government.”

As she wiped away tears, Jeramie added, “I’ve heard such incredible stories tonight, it reminds me why I’m here. My goal is to spread the word about this silent killer.”

Little Richard got the audience literally on its feet as he played a rousing set, culminating with duet with Elton John. The event, underwritten by two anonymous donors, raised more than $500,000.