BACKSTREET BOY DOESN'T BACK OFF FROM HELPING OTHERS...

by Julie Lounges

   When given the opportunity to write this article, I was very excited. But
my excitement was not due to the fact that my interview subject was one of
the Backstreet Boys. It was because the subject of this piece was Lupus and
topic that I am unfortunately very familiar with and which is very close to
my heart.

    My father passed away seven years ago from this disease.  It was
something he had suffered with since he was a child. I recently discovered
that two of my aunts have it and it is something that has plagued several
people close to me. It is not an illness as well known to the general public
as Aids, Muscular Dystrophy or Cerebral Palsy.  So, what is Lupus?

   Lupus is an autoimmune disease which effects various parts of the body. It
causes your body to attack its own anti-bodies that help fight off viruses,
bacteria and other foreign substances. There are different symptoms to this
disease which often copycat those of other diseases, thus making it hard to
diagnose. Some of these symptoms are joint and muscle pain, skin rash and
bruising.

     It was once most commonly found to be among women in their child-bearing
years, but in recent years in has been found to be affecting older women, as
well as more and more men of all ages.

    Lupus has also been most commonly found among those of African-
Americans, Latino/Hispanic, Native American and Asian descent. Why there is a
strong link with ethnic nationalities remains unknown. Approximately 16,000
or more Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year. Although there is
no cure as of yet, there are many medicines which doctors can treat their
patients that help to control the disease.

    Cures take research. Research takes money.  In that sense, Lupus patients
have found a mighty champion in someone you might least expect to be on the
front lines of such a cause.  That someone is Howie D of the platinum-selling
pop act, The Backstreet Boys.

    Most everyone knows Howie D the “pop star” from his videos, musical
concerts, television appearances and hit records   But few know Howie Dorough
“the man.”  This article is to shed some light on that side of Howie.  The
side that shines brightest away from the spotlight.  My goal here is to
introduce you to Howie – the humanitarian, the philanthropist and the
concerned advocate for a Lupus cure.

    During the course of this text, you will not read about what he likes in
a girl, his favorite color or what he wears to bed.  I will leave all that to
the zillions of teen magazines who peddle the pop side of this wonderful guy.
What you will read here is how he is striving to help the medical profession
find a cure for a disease that has not only taken his beloved sister
Caroline’s life but also those of many people across the globe.

     One of the many ways Howie helps to raise money for the cause so near to
his heart is with special personal appearances at events benefiting the
Dorough Lupus Foundation, which his family founded in late 1999 to honor the
memory of Caroline.  It was at just such a function that Midwest Beat caught
up to Howie.

     Last month in Chicago, he flew in to participate in the “Bowl for the
Cause,” a bowling event that allowed fans to knock down pins with their
favorite musical star.  He also made a fast appearance at the new Jamba Juice
franchise on State & Randolph in Chicago, where he met fans and sipped a
fresh fruit smoothie.

    I was one of the fortunates who got to roll some balls a few lanes down
from Mr. Dorough. After bowling I sat down with him in a back room of FAO
Schwartz to learn more about the Dorough Lupus Foundation and how they help
make a difference.

    “The main goal of the Dorough Lupus Foundation is to [raise money] and
put all the proceeds into research and finding a cure,” he explained, “as
well as aiding families with medicine for those who can not afford it.”

     For a family to receive medical help through the foundation, there is a
set criteria which must be met. They must present a financial statement
showing current income, a written doctors diagnosis and what kind of
treatment they are needing. Most of all, if the family has insurance, they
must show proof that they have denied you of any health care coverage to
treat the Lupus. This does not  mean that if you present all of this
information you’ll get aid. Each case is weighed very carefully by the staff
of the foundation.

     The foundation has been trying to get involved with clinics that help
provide medical care for those who can not afford it.  They donated $15,000
to help the University Of Puerto Rico since they provide this kind of service
to their residents. They also have a Palliative Care Room at the Chatham-Kent
Health Alliance's Public General campus in Canada which is used only for
Lupus patients. A donation of $27,500 was given from the foundation.

     But for the research donations, Howie gave some great news. “This last
year, we were very fortunate. We gave a check for $135,000 to a UCLA Research
center.”  The foundation does refer patients to this center where Dr. Beverly
Hahn and Dr. Daniel J. Wallace not only do the research, but also personally
work with Lupus patients as well.

    “They were recommended to us by the Pax family. We did researched a few
different doctors and we felt most comfortable with Dr. Hahn’s ideas and
where she was going with the research center. She also has worked with a lot
of Lupus patients around America.”  Both doctors have also written respected
books on Lupus..

   What I thought was so great about the foundation is that the Dorough
family members are the heart and soul of the staff. But not only does the
whole family help to run the foundation but there are many outsiders who help
as well and on a volunteer basis.

     “We actually have quite a huge volunteer basis outside of my family.
People from Canada to South America, Europe and Japan. A lot of [BSB] fans
have come along and helped me try to organize events and more.” 

     Although at the moment, their office is based in Balm Bay, Florida,
Howie  hopes to see their work spread across the nation one day soon and have
chapters in many major cities. At present, fans are creating little chapters
on their own. “I was very fortunate to bring this cause to attention through
being in the Backstreet Boys.” 
    Speaking of the Backstreet Boys, one wonders how someone can do so much
for his foundation yet be on the road most of the year.

    “Very carefully,” he mused. “ I don’t have much time off.  My off time
is mostly spent dedicated to working on my foundation. It’s my way of giving
back, I’m so blessed every day!”

   “Teena Wells from Buzzteen.com and Erica Summers from “Stars In The Wild’
have created a lot of different and great things that are very supportive as
well,” added Howie. Teena Wells is the president of Buzzteen and was in
charge of the charity event here in  Chicago at the AMF Marina City Bowling
Alley. Buzzteen is a company that deals with a lot of different teen issues. 
 

    Wells and the Buzzteen staff nominated Howie for his heroic contribution
to Lupus patients across the world.

   The “Stars In The Wild” company has created a special collectible stuffed
animal from their “Hero Collection” to help raise money for the foundation.

     The “Wings of Hope” Butterfly, is the Dorough Lupus Foundation’s logo.
It also corresponds with the butterfly shape rash associated with Discoid
Lupus. I feel that there were many reasons why they chose this precious and
beautiful creature to represent their foundation. The butterfly is expected
to be unveiled by “Stars In The Wild” sometime in October at F.A.O.
Schwartz.  You can order them on their web site: service@starsinthewild.com
or  1-800-996-2327.

  Those BEAT readers who might want to look into doing a local fundraiser,
need to call Howie’s sister, Angie Hering.  “My sister Angie is in charge of
our foundation. She is our day to day person in the office. People can either
call or write into our office or hit on the web site
(www.doroughlupusfoundation.org). She’s very open- minded about event
ideas.”  Sometimes Howie himself attends the various events.

    “A lot of it does depend on my schedule with the Backstreet Boys, since
that has to be my main focus right and priority,” he said. “After that, we
look at the different charity events and weigh them out and to see which ones
will utilize my services the most.” 

     Fundraisers are not the only way you can help. Sending personal
donations to the office is also a means of helping. You can also help by
ordering flowers for that special someone. Just call 1-800-FLOWERS and give
the operator the foundation’s special code (“PURP”)  and a percentage will
be donated to the Dorough Lupus Foundation.

     The Dorough Lupus Foundation has done a number of charity events on
their own as well. Last June they held Lupus 2000 at the Universal City Walk.
They also held a Lupus Cruise on board Carnival Cruise Lines. They held an
auction during the trip. They raised approximately $36,000 with this event
alone.

     “I think that I am very fortunate that I’ve gotten this opportunity.
That God has somehow or another through the craziness of all of this and my
sister passing away, if it had to happen to any family, with me being who I
am, hopefully being able to shed some light upon the subject. That’s what
keeps me moving forward. Knowing that hopefully with my helping to get the
word out there, we will one day soon be able to find a cure for Lupus.”


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