I’m Walking to End Lupus. Join Me?

Hello friends and Family! It's that time of year again and I'm putting the call out for your support. Please help spread awareness and help support my cause to help find a cure for this awful disease.

I was diagnosed with Lupus 21 years ago at the age of 21. I had a lot of different symptoms and had issues for quite a while before I was actually diagnosed. It has definitely been a battle. I am one of the lucky ones, for sure. I have Systemic Lupus erythematosus. There are so many different manifestations of the syndrome. Lupus lung, lupus nephritis, Discoid Lupus, it can affect the heart, the nervous system, the skin.... And other areas of our body. I have the most problems with my skin, joints, connective tissue,GI system, immune system and my "female hub" (uterus/cervix/hormones). 

I have an amazing family and support group. I decided to start walking and fundraising for the LFA in 2011. At that time I had only met a few people who had Lupus or whom had been affected by this disease. I was looking for more answers and for someway to be a part of the cure. I was looking for a better way to live. It's not easy to have something wrong with you, but look perfectly fine. It's hard to hear "you look fine", when you feel like an elephant is sitting on you all of the time. I am in pain 24/7/365. Lupus is unforgiving and indiscriminatory.

The amazing gift that I received through being a part of LFA is that I met many women with this same affliction and with similar stories. I met families that have lost there loved ones to Lupus, and continue to fight for them. I needed this, I needed to form bonds with people who know how I feel. The comfort to hear "me too!!" Or "I know exactly what you are going through!", was just what I needed to move forward. It's easy to feel alone and low when you're in pain and you don't have anyone to talk to that has been in your shoes. 

Lupus is a stressed induced disease. I have adopted the "Happy is Healthy" lifestyle. I try to live every day with joy and laughter. It isn't easy. I have to fight, I have to smile, I have to work hard and breathe.... I have to breathe a lot. Haha and laugh. I have a sense of humor and sarcasm as well, it's got me through a lot. Because I can joke about the joint pain and laugh off the rashes and migraines and pins and needles and getting sick all of the time. It seems like those things go away faster when I'm happy, rather when I'm in the doom and gloom of it.

I just wanted to share a small part of why I fight. I have watched beautiful friends loose their battle to Lupus. I have fought hard to survive and I'm asking you to help us raise awareness! Help us fight! Please register to walk or share our page or donate! Even $1 helps, anything helps. 

Imagine a day when doctors can say, “There is a cure for lupus.” Until that day though, there is work to be done. That’s why I’m taking action in the fight against lupus. Join me as I participate in Lupus Foundation of America’s Walk to End Lupus Now™ in [city] to raise critical funds for the estimated 1.5 million people living with lupus in the United States.

Will you make a donation to help me reach my personal fundraising goal and support the Foundation's efforts to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus? Even $5 helps! A generous contribution of $25 or $55 can make a definite impact. What’s more, if your employer offers a Matching Gift Program to employees, you may be able to double your contribution with just a little bit of paperwork. Trust me, it’s worth the effort! Every single dollar counts.

Did you know?

• Lupus is a mysterious and misunderstood autoimmune disease. It strikes without warning, affects each person differently, and has no known causes or cure.
• 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.
• While lupus can strike anyone at any time, 90% of people living with lupus are women. Women of color are at especially high risk.
• Only one drug has ever been developed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically to treat the disease.

Together, we can solve the cruel mystery of lupus. Thank you for your generosity!