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 any amount can make a definite impact. Trust me, every single dollar counts.

Living with lupus can be a painful, stressful, and a depressing ordeal. For all sufferers, everyday can bring new tasks and new challenges.

Lupus is an overactive autoimmune disorder caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.

It commonly affects the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, pleursy which is inflammation of the lining of the lungs, and Raynaud's syndrome, also referred to as Raynaud's phenomenon which constricts blood flow to some areas of the body. In most cases, the hands and feet when exposed to the cold.  

There are different types of Lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Discoid lupus erythematosus, Drug-induced lupus erythematosus, and Neonatal lupus.

Nine of 10 Lupus sufferers are women and the effects of the disease hit women harder, also.

The type of lupus that I have is SLE, which is the most common. My struggles have been ongoing for years when my organs started being attacked, unexplainable aches, pains, and chronic fatigue. 

The past years have not been easy by any means. I experience the arthritis-like symptoms and body pain, chronic fatigue, brain fog and depression. Most recently the diagnosis of Sjogren’s Syndrome which is affecting my eyes, nose and mouth. All of my issues are associated with the lupus. I struggle at times to get out of bed, do simple household work, and by evening time I can barely stay awake to watch a show on TV. My love for riding my motorcycle still remains however due to weakness and dizziness I can’t ride nearly as often as I’d like or used to.

I see a Rheumatologist, Cardiologist, PuImonologist, Neurologist, Gastroenterologist, Podiatrist and Psychiatrist. I have been prescribed several medications that didn’t help or made it worse and now I am on Saphnelo Infusions, and have Infusions once again for severe Anemia along with a whole list of other medications. 

I share all this to raise awareness to what Lupus is because so many people have no clue. To look at me you may never know because almost everything is internal. I do not want your sympathy, I’m not asking for a pitty party. I only ask for some understanding that some days will be harder than others for me. Some days I may have to say NO. But the one thing that remains constant is my will to never give up and to manage this to the best of my ability. I may be sick, but I'm not crippled. I get up and go about my daily activities as best I can and will continue to push through! 

"Everyday life is a struggle, with the biggest victory being the chance to keep struggling."

Thank you for your generosity!