J Dilla's Mother Calls On Hip-Hop To Raise Lupus Awareness

The mother of late Hip-Hop producer James "J Dilla" Yancey is encouraging Hip-Hop fans to get involved in finding a cure for lupus. J Dilla died Feb. 10 from complications of the disease. The Detroit rapper's mother, Maureen Yancey, and Hustle & Flow's Taraji P. Henson appeared at a benefit last night (May 11) to raise funds for the Lupus Research Institute. The event, presented by Lupus LA and billed as "An Evening of Love, Light and Laughter," was the organization's premier fundraising gala. Among the attendees were actors Malcolm Jamal Warner, Sharon Stone, Jason Alexander and Omar Epps, who presented an award to the evening's creator/executive producer David Shore for his contribution to Lupus awareness. The event also honored various doctors committed to finding a cure for the illness, which affects over two million Americans. According to statistics, women are the most at-risk group, and lupus is three times more likely to strike black women than white women.