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Eileen Samways

Eileen Samways, 52, of St Giles, Bletchingdon, near Bicester, wants the public to know more about Lupus -- the condition suffered by her daughter Donna Rose.

Mrs Samways was planning to organise a single event to raise money for research into the autoimmune disease, to coincide with October's Lupus Awareness Month.

But villagers have rallied round with support -- and five events are being held to highlight the illness, including a pop quiz, disco and conker contest.

Mrs Samway said: "I wanted to do one event for the awareness month, but it's got bigger and bigger. People have been wonderfully supportive.

"No-one knows what Lupus is, even though it's as common as multiple sclerosis and leukaemia."

About 50,000 people suffer from the autoimmune disease, but many are misdiagnosed because the condition mimics other illnesses.

Antibodies that usually fight infection start to attack the body, and can cause a variety of symptoms, including joint problems, blindness and a rash.

Mrs Rose, a 33-year-old mother-of-two, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 18. But after being taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital as an emergency patient eight years later, doctors told her she had Lupus.

She said: "The illness causes me pain, and there have been times when I haven't been able to stand up. It can affect any part of my body. So one day it could be my knee, the next, my shoulder, and people must think I'm a bit of a hypochondriac.

The events, to raise more awareness and vital funds for research, start on Friday, October 11, with a disco at Bletchingdon Sports and Social Club.

On Saturday, October 19, villagers will be able to have Indian head massages and other therapies at the village hall. During the evening, an evening of live music will be held at the Six Bells Pub, in Bicester.

A pop quiz is being held at the Blacks Head pub, in Bletchingdon, on Saturday, October 26, and on Sunday, October 27, the pub will host a conker contest.