Local mother-daughter duo leads 5th annual lupus awareness effort in Westchester County

Cheryl and Brittany Sanchez of Yorktown are leading their fifth annual lupus awareness and fundraising campaign in Westchester County during Lupus Awareness Month. Their fundraiser social, organized by TheNetWorks Organization, will be held Saturday, May 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Gramercy in Yorktown Heights.

The mother-daughter team has been personally affected by lupus since Brittany was diagnosed in 2020, during the early months of the pandemic. Despite their combined backgrounds in healthcare and science, navigating diagnosis, treatment, and support proved difficult. After finding limited local resources for individuals and families living with lupus, they launched this annual awareness and fundraising effort to expand support, build community, and bring greater visibility to the disease in Westchester County.

Since the initiative began, local and county leaders have formally recognized the campaign’s impact. May has been proclaimed Lupus Awareness Month in both the Town of Yorktown and Westchester County, and the Westchester County Board of Legislators has declared May 10 as World Lupus Day. Cheryl and Brittany Sanchez have also been recognized by the office of State Senator Pete Harckham for their advocacy. In 2025, they expanded their outreach to Yonkers, where they addressed the City Council, and this year the Tappan Zee Bridge was lit in purple in recognition of World Lupus Day.

Lupus is a complex chronic disease that has no cure. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. Anyone can develop lupus, but it is most prevalent in women and people of color. Lupus commonly affects the skin, joints, and internal organs like kidneys and lungs, but it can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. Since it can affect patients in many different ways, it is usually hard to diagnose and hard to treat.

“What began as a deeply personal journey for our family has grown into a broader effort to raise awareness, create community, and support research for everyone affected by lupus,” Cheryl said.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA). Expected guests include Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Chairman of the Board of Legislators Vedat Gashi, and County Legislator Colin Smith.

Brittany added that “we want lupus warriors in the Westchester County area to know they are not alone.”

Sponsors and partners include TheNetWorks, The Gramercy, Jefferson Valley Mall, Halston Media, All American Homecare, and Actalent.

Visit lupusawareness.com for event details, photos, information about lupus, and donation opportunities.

Article courtesy of TheNetWorks. TheNetWorks is an accessible, purpose driven community of leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners who have come together to realize meaningful success and foster positive social impact.