LUPUS affects people all over the World where the immune system becomes overactive. Antibodies are produced and almost all organs of the body can be involved meaning the immune system starts to attack one another.

Pasty Howe from Evesham suffers from Lupus and lives with the many side effects of the illness including fatigue, rashes on the cheeks and nose, and problems with the liver, kidneys and lungs. Despite the drawbacks of her illness it has left her determined to fight through the symptoms and not let it dominate her.

Lupus is an illness seen more commonly as leukaemia, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. Systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) causes the body's immune system to go into overdrive and starts to attack itself. Symptoms are many and varied and the illness often mimics other diseases.

Mrs Howe said: "I suffer terribly but most people when they see me don't think there is anything wrong with me. Just because I keep myself tidy and always make an effort to look nice I think sometimes people think 'there's nothing wrong with her'."

Patsy has spent most of her adult life in and out of hospitals trying to find out whether she is a Lupus sufferer or not.

After many years and being treated by a variety of doctors Patsy was diagnosed as suffering from Lupus. One of the problems in recognising Lupus is that it can create difficulties in diagnosis and the condition can be overlooked by a GP.

"I was always going back and forth from the doctors with no-one knowing what was wrong with me. It wasn't until this Christmas that I was once again told that I did have Lupus."

Patsy like most people was unaware of the many side effects. Lupus is most common in young females, teens in their 20s or 30s. Men and children can also have lupus but the ratio of females to men suffering from the disease is nine to one.

Pasty believes her instinct to over come the illness and raise awareness to the many features of the disease to others can help find a cure for Lupus.

She wants to start a group, where people like herself can share their experiences and help raise money for the Lupus Foundation.

Patsy added: "You never know how you how your going to feel in the morning. One day I can feel fine and other days I feel completely shattered by it." For more information about Lupus go to www.lupus.org.uk or call Patsy Howe on 01386 422098.