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'It's A Miracle That He's Alive' Mom Donates Organ To Save Son Suffering From Lupus

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Have you noticed a lot of people in purple on Friday? It's to help raise awareness for lupus, and today in Philadelphia there was a rally to raise awareness.

Everyone is wearing purple in honor of Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus is a disease that's difficult to diagnose and treat, and it can cause real agony.
Doctors say what's needed is more awareness and money for research. Today Philadelphians played their part.

Residents were out spreading the word about lupus in Dilworth Plaza as the city observed World Lupus Day.

"We have a lot of work to do; we have too many people battling symptoms of lupus without proper diagnosis," said Joseph Arnold.

Lupus is a cruel mystery because so little is known about the auto-immune disease that ravages different parts of the body.

"What I get from everyone is that, you don't look sick, you're not sick. It affects everyone differently," said Scott Exler.

Exler, now only 24, was diagnosed with lupus when he was 8. Since then he's had a series of medical upheavals. But was always surrounded by family and friends, and always tried to put a happy face on a nasty situation.

"This is a devastating disease and although some people can live with this for the rest of their lives, some people can't," said Betty Ann Exler, Scott's mother. "Many people lose their lives to this disease. Many people lose their lives at young ages."

To save her son's life Betty Ann donated a kidney. Scott had been barely surviving on dialysis, so a fistula was created in his arm for the treatments.
The transplant in October turned out to be a game changer.

"I was the only one who was a match for him," said Betty Ann. "Anything that I could do to make this child's life better I would do. I'm his mom, I have seen him suffer, and it's a miracle that he is alive."

To keep him alive and well, there's a lot of juicing, along with piles of medications. The aim is to keep the lupus under control, so Scott can start his life again.

"It's a day to day fight," Scott said.

"His fortitude is amazing. It really is. We do this, we're a team," Betty Ann said.

It's not known what causes lupus and there's no cure. It can strike anyone, out of nowhere. Symptoms range from rashes and fatigue, to organ failure and heart attacks.

The Lupus Foundation of America has a Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter that provides a variety of services.

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