MI LUPUS FOUNDATION APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Michigan – February 20, 2023) – The Michigan Lupus Foundation is pleased to announce four new members were recently appointed to its Board of Directors: Harminder Bhogal of Ann Arbor, MI; Bradley Ferguson of Highland, MI; Michael Lang of Grand Rapids, MI and New York, NY; and Kimberly LaPanne of Wayland, MI. Each new member will help the foundation serve its mission to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure.
“We are excited to expand our board with four new members whose talents, expertise and energy are welcomed additions to our fight against lupus,” said Vice Chair Larry Silverman. “The new members are enthusiastic advocates for lupus awareness and will help the foundation make new and meaningful connections and advancements in the lupus community throughout the state.”
The MI Lupus Foundation has been in a transition period, rebuilding and restructuring after the pandemic and a prior change in leadership. The new Executive Director, Kimberly Dimond of Traverse City, was interim back in May and has since assumed the role as Executive Director. The foundation also recently hired Heather Hart Rochon of Livonia, MI as Office Manager & Assistant.
For more information about lupus and the MI Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
About Harminder (Harry) Bhogal
Harry Bhogal of Ann Arbor, MI holds a BBA in Computer Information Systems from Eastern Michigan University and he currently works as a Solution Architect at Coupa Software. He has a desire to help people and serves as a mentor for Wayne State University’s College of Business PwC MPREP Scholars Program that supports multicultural and often underrepresented undergraduate students. During his time at Eastern Michigan University, Harry served as the Chair of the Dean’s Board of Student Advisors at the College of Business. He also served as a founding member of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Student Advisory Board. Harry is a lupus warrior himself and looks forward to helping increase lupus awareness and resources available across the state of Michigan.
About Bradley Ferguson
Bradley Ferguson of Highland, MI is currently Warehouse Manager at Carl’s Golfland and has spearheaded a golf fundraiser for the MI Lupus Foundation for the past two years. Bradley’s wife of 12 years, Briella, is a lupus warrior and he experiences the intricacies of living alongside someone with lupus. He hopes to provide first-hand information for spouses, family members and friends that may need additional assistance to handle the lifestyle changes, care and encouragement that are helpful to anyone suffering from lupus. Bradley is looking forward to working on future fundraisers to help secure the financial support the foundation needs to continue to provide information and support to those fighting lupus. Bradley’s previous volunteer experiences include Toys 4 Tots, Milford Memories, and the Huron Valley Future Stars program coaching youth basketball.
About Michael Lang
Michael Lang is currently Executive Recruiter for Axios HR and splits his time between Grand Rapids, MI and New York, NY. Michael has recruited, staffed, and managed entertainment venues in Grand Rapids including the West Michigan Whitecaps, Van Andel Arena, DeVos Performance Hall and the Traverse City Pit Spitters. He has worked with Mel Trotter, Michigan Works, and the Urban League to help those in need secure jobs, which led to a passion for helping others. Michael’s passion for finding people work opportunities turned into a full-time career as an executive recruiter and he is currently placing leaders in roles across Michigan. Michael’s twin sister and best friend Katie was diagnosed with lupus at a young age and her determination to battle the disease has been an inspiration to him. Michael says joining the board of the MI Lupus Foundation gives him the opportunity to help to fight lupus not only for Katie but for generations of patients to come.
About Kimberly LaPanne
Kimberly LaPanne of Wayland, MI has been an avid volunteer with the MI Lupus Foundation and tireless advocate for lupus awareness across the state of Michigan ever since she was diagnosed. She leads a monthly virtual support group for lupus patients, has led the local support group in Grand Rapids, serves on the Grand Rapids lupus awareness walk committee, has been a guest speaker at symposiums and volunteers in various PR capacities for the foundation. Both Kimberly and her son suffer from lupus in addition to her son also having autism. She’s volunteered as an autism awareness advocate to help spread awareness locally in her son’s name. Kimberly looks forward to helping the MI Lupus Foundation find ways to grow and evolve to help reach more patients in need.
About Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. It can affect any part of the body causing widespread pain and inflammation. Common symptoms include crippling fatigue, fever and joint pain. Lupus affects each person differently and may go into periods of flares and remissions. More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis combined. It is estimated that 1.5 million people in the United States suffer from this disease. Lupus primarily affects young women between the ages of 15-45 years old and occurs more frequently in women of African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent. There is currently no cure for lupus.
About the MI Lupus Foundation
The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure. The foundation provides financial and informational resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The MI Lupus Foundation has been continually serving Michigan and northern Indiana since 1974 and is working to build a brighter future for all lupus patients and their families.
For more information, visit http://milupus.org.
Are you interested in joining our Board of Directors?
The MI Lupus Foundation is in the process of rebuilding and restructuring the organization and seeks new, enthusiastic and committed volunteers to join the Board of Directors. Contact us here to receive more information.
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