Lupus Trust of New Zealand - Awareness Quilt

In December 2000, the Lupus Trust of New Zealand had the opportunity to take advantage of displaying the Lupus Awareness Quilt very generously loaned to us by Chelsea and Peg - two active members working on Lupus Awareness in the USA.
Each time a photograph and article about the Quilt was published we received enquiries from people who, up until that time, did not know the existence of the different Lupus Support Groups throughout New Zealand.
We were able to direct these enquires to the Support Groups nearest to them, provide information, and, most of all, let people know they are not alone.
This made us realise the amount of goodwill and public awareness that a Quilt like this can generate. The idea of having our own Lupus Awareness Quilt was born. New Zealand women are well known for their sewing skills. The call went out to people who have, or might have Lupus or one of the associated autoimmune diseases, their families, friends and caregivers to make and donate a square. We are most grateful to all the people in the North and South Island who supported this project. Simply put, without them we would not have a Quilt. Bobbie Douglas Cooke, from the North Shore District in Auckland, transformed the squares into the magnificent Quilt which we have today.
The Lupus Trust of New Zealand is run entirely by volunteers, and we depend upon donations and subscriptions to continue our work.