6 miles in 6 days to Help End Lupus

Dear Friends and Family,

I am participating in the Lupus Foundation of America’s Virtual 6 Challenge. Between June 24-29, I will be walking 6 miles to help end lupus. The goal is to raise funds for the estimated 1.5 million people living with lupus in the United States. 

Why 6 miles? Because it takes an average of 6 years for someone to receive a correct diagnosis of lupus from when they first notice symptoms. I was lucky to be diagnosed quickly, and want others to be as well. 

Lupus is an unpredictable and mysterious disease in which the immune system is out of balance, which causes damage to any organ system in the body. There are very few lupus specific therapies available; and while steroids tame the inflammation they have difficult short term and long term side effects. More research is needed on lupus specific therapies that are steroid sparing. 

I was in a period of remission from 2018 - 2023. 2024 started with another flare, and a new manifestation of the disease - Lupus Nephritis. I am so grateful for all of your support and love as I continue my journey.

Love,

- Ashley

P.S. I invite you to learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America and their great work at http://www.lupus.org/

Did you know?

• Lupus is a complex disease that is hard to define. It strikes without warning, affects each person differently, and has no known causes or cure.
• While lupus mainly affects women between the ages of 15-44, men and children are not spared.
• Lupus symptoms can be severe and highly unpredictable and can damage any organ or tissue, from the skin or joints to the heart or kidneys.
• Only three drugs have been developed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically to treat lupus.