Philadelphia Musician Hopes Story of Her Remarkable Sister Will Inspire

Darlene Croce was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 15, but she still managed to do many remarkable things before her death in June of 2002. Her sister, Cynthia DiClaudio, paid tribute to her by writing and recording the song, LifeKnocks. DiClaudio hopes the song will help raise awareness of lupus and other autoimmune diseases as well as inspire people to face "life knocks" with the courage that her sister did.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) August 5, 2004 -- LifeKnocks will film its music video and documentary from September 12-17, 2004 at various locations throughout Philadelphia, including City Hall, the Avenue of the Arts, and a local boxing gym. The music video is slated to premier in early 2005 at the Prince Music Theater on Broad and Chestnut.

LifeKnocks was inspired by Darlene Croce, a woman who died of lupus in June of 2002 at the age of 35. Although she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease at the age of 15, she lived her life to the fullest. She graduated summa cum laude from Philadelphias Temple University with a degree in real estate and finance and was working toward her MBA at Temple University when she passed.

In addition to her academic accomplishments, Darlene served as the vice president of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Lupus Chapter. She also spent a great deal of time on local TV and radio stations educating the public on lupus. After her death, Darlene was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Lupus Foundation of America.

Darlenes sister, Cynthia DiClaudio, wrote and recorded the song LifeKnocks as a way to pay tribute to the memory of her remarkable sister. Proceeds from the sale of the music video and the CD will go toward the Darlene Croce Scholarship Fund, which is a fund set up through the Philadelphia Foundation to send children with lupus and other autoimmune diseases to performing arts camps. Darlene had always been a lover of the arts and spent much of her time writing plays and poetry.

As human beings, we step into the ring of life and get knocked down, but we get up once more," says DiClaudio. It is her hope that LifeKnocks will inspire all people, not only those with autoimmune diseases, to overcome obstacles and enjoy their lives to the fullest----just as her sister did. People that are interested in learning more about the project can visit the LifeKnocks website at www.lifeknocks.com or call Cynthia DiClaudio at (267) 575-9390 or Leexan Hong at (215) 833-9542.

About LifeKnocks
LifeKnocks is a Philadelphia-based project whose mission is to raise the publics awareness of lupus and other autoimmune diseases, as well as inspire all people that have faced obstacles in their life to get up once more". It is the creation of Cynthia DiClaudio, an investigator for the City of Philadelphias probation and parole department.    

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