Howie D. Makes Sweet Donation
Source: The Chatham Daily News

Backstreet Boy gives funds to alliance from Dorough Lupus Foundation

By Yvonne Bendo, Chatham

Local patients with a life-threatening illness and their families will have a room to share some private time together thanks to a donation from Howie D. - the man now known as Chatham-Kent's favourite Backstreet Boy.


Despite delays caused by the weather, the singer swept into Chatham Wednesday afternoon to hand over a $27,500 donation from the Dorough Lupus Foundation to the Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. The funds will be used to create a Palliative Care Family Room on the acute medical unit on the fourth floor at the Public General campus.

Howie D., who is scheduled to perform with the Backstreet Boys tonight in Detroit, was flown from Chicago thanks to Wes Thompson, who loaned the use of his company's six-seat Navaho plane. The plane was to have landed at the Chatham airport, but because of the fog was forced to land in Windsor.

The celebrity, who appeared humble during his brief visit, emerged about two hours late. But he was apologetic to those who waited including the media and a small group of fans that had gathered at the Public General campus. And as news of his arrival slowly leaked out, more people converged on the Emma Street facility hoping to catch a glimpse of him and hopefully an autograph.

Howie D., who was born in Orlando, Fla. and is an American citizen, has no ties to Canada or to Chatham-Kent. The Dorough Lupus Foundation, which was formed by him and his family in 1999, is also based in Florida.

But that didn't stop the local hospital foundation from getting a sweet donation on Valentine's Day.

He said he wanted to give something back to his Canadian fans and he wanted to do something for area residents who might be faced with the loss of a loved one.

It was also an opportunity for him to speak of his personal loss and the need for increased awareness of Lupus - a chronic auto-immune disease.

The foundation, and the local palliative care room to be created, are in memory of his sister Caroline who died in 1998 following complications resulting from Lupus. She was 37.

Although she had been battling the disease for 13 years, her death came unexpectedly and Howie D. wasn't able to make it to her side in the North Carolina hospital in time.

"I missed her by an hour," he said. "I didn't get to say goodbye to her."

He recalled how his family gathered in the critical care unit - which he described as a corridor - during their final moments together. Their tears and anguish were shared with all those around them and there was no room for privacy.

Originally, Caroline's symptoms included a chronic cough, joint pains and an intolerance for the sun.

"I never thought it would be a disease that would take her life," said Howie D., adding the disease worsened and at times she couldn't turn the handle on a door or get out of bed.

In 1998 the Backstreet Boys were rapidly gaining popularity. The band had just learned they won an MTV award when Howie D. received news of his sister's critical condition.

"There was a problem with her lungs," he said, adding her organs began to shut down.

"We lost her unfortunately."

But Howie D. vowed her death wasn't for naught.

"I don't look at Caroline's death in vain . . . maybe God did this for a reason."

With his celebrity status, he said, there are perks including the ability to pull together some powerful friends and raise funds for worthwhile causes.

Each of the Backstreet Boys has a particular interest ranging from heart disease to oceans and the environment.

"We're all coming together to make the world a better place," said Howie D.

He said the Lupus foundation is an attempt to increase public awareness of the disease, raise funds for a cure and to help families who have a loved one with Lupus.

His entire family is involved in the foundation. Howie D. is the president and his sister Angie Herring is the executive director. Other family members, including his parents, are on the foundation's board and together they decide what donations to make.

Howie D. hopes the foundation will help to increase awareness of the disease, including the need for testing.

Like AIDS, he said Lupus "is a hush-hush disease."

He said admitting you had the disease or know someone with it was tantamount to a scandal.

Again, like AIDS, he said this disease destroys your immune system.

Howie D. said Lupus is a disease that needs a cure and he and his family hope to help find one.

And he believes Caroline would be happy with the family's efforts with the foundation.

Herring added she hopes the increased awareness will let those with Lupus understand they're not alone. And she hopes they will also understand the importance of taking their medications even though they may be in remission. She said it's also essential to pay attention to the advice of your physician.

Herring visited Chatham late last fall to discuss a proposal by Chatham resident Liz Fields to create the palliative care room at the local hospital.

Herring said it was the first Canadian request for funds and the foundation's aim is to use funds raised in a country to benefit the residents of that country. A $135,000 donation is expected to be made soon to a Lupus research project at University of California at Los Angeles. Proposals are also being reviewed in Russia and Africa.

Mayor Bill Erickson said he was humbled by Howie D's attention to this community and "the benevolence you've shown towards a need in Chatham-Kent."

He said it was truly an example of a man who allowed his "humanity to reach out and touch people."

The singer was invited to sign the municipality's register and wrote "Thanks for all your love and support. God Bless. Howie D."


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