I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 1992 when I was 15.  I have been experiencing various symptoms from 1986 when I was 9.  But most people thought that I just sprained my ankle playing in the playground. Since then my journey with lupus started, I met wonderful people on my journey who truly enlightened my life with support and encouragements.  Even my doctors inspired me to continue to study in school and encouraged me to pursue my PhD in mathematics.  I have been living a blessed life with so many wonderful people around me and am so thankful for them.  However, lupus itself is devastating, vicious and debilitating.  There is no cure, and I have to take a lot of medications to treat it.  

I am joining thousands of people across the country for the Walk to End Lupus Now®. Your donations will be used to educate the patients to take good care of themselves and also for research in treatments.  I also personally would like to participate as a 33rd year patient to encourage other patients by showing them how well I am doing.    I hope that you will join me either by lacing up your sneakers (I have a t-shirt for you!) 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 contribution of $5 or $10 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.

I checked and GE, IBM, Janssen, Google, Bayer, Pfizer, and many more companies match the employee's donation.  So please donate through your company.  Please select Lupus Foundation Heartland chapter and write my name on it.

Also, those of you who donate $100 and above can also register (as an individual walker) and join my team. Then can receive the Walk to End Lupus Now t-shirt from Lupus Foundation of America.

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!

Lupus Facts and Statistics

https://www.lupus.org/resources/lupus-facts-and-statistics

"How common is lupus and who does it affect?

• The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus.
• Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age. However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too.
• Ninety percent (90%) of people living with lupus are women. Most people with lupus develop the disease between the ages of 15-44.[1]
• People with lupus can experience significant symptoms, such as pain, extreme fatigue, hair loss, cognitive issues, and physical impairments that affect every facet of their lives. Many suffer from cardiovascular disease, strokes, disfiguring rashes, and painful joints. For others, there may be no visible symptoms.
• Our best estimate based on available data on incidence is 16,000 new cases per year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently gathering updated data for all ethnic sub-populations in the US, so we anticipate this number will change. The fact remains that lupus is a devastating and life-changing disease that currently has no cure. "