Snoop Dogg has credited his daughter Cori's battle with lupus with bringing the rapper closer to his wife Shante, insisting the life-threatening illness helped to save their faltering marriage. The rap superstar, real name Calvin Broadus, filed for divorce from his wife of seven years in 2004, citing irreconcilable differences.

The couple reunited months later, prompting Snoop to withdraw the legal petition, and they renewed their vows in 2008. Snoop admits the turning point in their relationship came when young Cori was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder in 2005 - and her subsequent health battle made the hip-hop star and his wife realize they had to stay "together forever".

Shante tells People magazine, "Without (Snoop), I don't know what I'd have done. It's amazing how this all turned out. We were gonna get a divorce. But we wouldn't have gotten through it (the lupus diagnosis) that way." Snoop adds, "That's what it boiled down to. Cori's lupus showed us we need to be together forever."

The rapper reveals the couple had turned to a marriage counselor to help them overcome their troubles and he would often escape to the recording studio to cry and gather his emotions. He says, "You always think it's gonna happen to someone else. Some days in the studio, I'd just cry. It was the only zone I had to express myself."

But he's in awe of how strong Cori, now 11, has been throughout the health crisis - despite struggling with the side effects of the disorder, which caused her hair to fall out and affected her weight. Snoop explains, "My daughter is the love of my life. When she'd lay in bed saying, 'My brain hurts', it bothered me so much. I felt helpless... (But) she's the toughest little thing I've ever met, even with the needles."

And Cori has managed to keep her lupus under control to enjoy a normal childhood. Her proud father adds, "She's on the honor roll, playing volleyball and softball, living life. She has all this joy. In the beginning lupus was winning. But now Cori is."

WOW, what an inspiring story.  I am happy his daughter is doing well and I am sure the support and management of her health by her parents help.  I never liked Snoop Dogg that much back then when he acted like a pimp with women hanging on him.  But I started to like him after he revamped his image, started acting in cameo parts where he played himself in movies and watched his reality show with his family.  So in my opinion lupus did not only save his marriage but his career too!  Snoop's wife has just been appointed to the board of directors of Lupus LA .

"Lupus LA is thrilled to welcome Shante Broadus to our board. The commitment the Broadus family has made to the fight against lupus is critically important to the success of our organization and we know that they will have a huge impact on lupus awareness worldwide," says Lupus LA Chairman Adam Selkowitz.

Shante Broadus, wife of famed musician and entertainer Snoop Dogg, became devoted to the organization after their young daughter Cori was diagnosed with lupus. After discovering the disease is more prevalent among women of color, Shante realized the organization needed a voice and her family's celebrity status could help inform people of the disease that affects over 1.5 million Americans.

Since then, Shante and her family have been very involved in Lupus LA events and support groups, and in speaking with press outlets to help build awareness about lupus.

I hope that Snoop continues to use his celebrity to talk about lupus to help spread awareness. It would be incredible if Snoop could be as well known for lupus as he is for his pot use, lol.  Seriously, Snoop, we need your support.  It  is awesome your wife is actively involved, but you talking about lupus and supporting lupus will make much more press.  And I can't  think of anything better to honor your daughter than to give back by helping in the fight for a cure for lupus.  Your little girl and her sustained health is in my prayers.

xoxo,

Lupus Celebrity