My name is Darcy and I’m a Lupus warrior.
I was diagnosed at the age of twelve, at seventeen I went into kidney failure was placed on dialysis and by age twenty I had received a kidney transplant.
At the time of my diagnosis I recall being told that Lupus was not a curable disease but that the symptoms were manageable. This news hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt confused, saddened and curious
What’s Lupus? Why me? What does this all mean?
My Lupus symptoms were aggressive and ranged from: malaise, fevers, body pain, to pericarditis, pleuritis and eventually end-stage kidney failure.
My treatment plan was just as aggressive and involved high dose steroids, chemotherapy and antimalarial medications; medications that are still used today.
Though I’ve experienced some very painful moments as a result of Lupus, I am grateful for them. I am the woman and Lupus warrior I am today because of it. Lupus showed me the strength of my faith, the tenacity of my spirit and my resilience in times of adversity. It is because of Lupus that I have the privilege to care for others like myself and work alongside some amazing nurses.
It is because of Lupus that I realize the responsibility I have to serve and advocate for my community; to be a voice so that we find a cure for this awful disease.
I walk for the women and men that did not get to live to see or benefit from the advances in Lupus therapies we have today. I walk for those who will be diagnosed with Lupus and I walk for myself that I may continue to educate, empower and support other Lupus warriors.
With love and appreciation,
Darcy
- - - - - - -
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. 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.
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.
