I am joining thousands of people across the country for the Walk to End Lupus Now®. I hope that you will join me either by lacing up your sneakers or by donating to my fundraising page.

You can make a difference by donating 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! A generous contribution of $25 or $55 can make a definite impact. 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. 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.

Lupus is hard to diagnose, but the Lupus Foundation of America is working to make life easier and more comfortable for the estimated 1.5 million people living with lupus in the United States.  Together, we can solve the cruel mystery of lupus. Thank you for your generosity!

My Story

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment I knew something was off in my body. Chronic pain, heat strokes and sun sensitivity, migraines, numbness, debilitating fatigue and brain fog -- some of the many symptoms I suffered for over 10 years before finally receiving a diagnosis in 2018. Doctors continually dismissed me, so I learned to dismiss myself. Unfortunately, this is more often than not the case with lupus and other invisible illnesses (many of which affect women at a much higher rate). So, even though it took a bad flare-up to finally get answers, I am thankful that a physician finally took me seriously and identified the underlying condition that had infiltrated so many parts of my life. Connecting the dots meant I wasn’t crazy and it meant I could finally take back control of my life. It has been 5 years since I started treatment and incorporated positive lifestyle changes. I don’t know if I’ll ever be symptom free, but I’m learning to manage the condition with the help of my supportive family and friends.

Lupus is one of many invisible illnesses that has patients looking fine and healthy on the outside while they are struggling in pain on the inside. This can be a lonely and isolating place; advocacy and awareness are so important for invisible illness warriors to feel seen and understood. This is why I continue to share my experience and raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America. I hope that one day, we wIll find a cure!