Hi! My name is Savannah and I am a person with lupus (SLE). I was diagnosed in March of 2023 at 21 years old. I am now 23 and am still navigating through the tough world of this chronic illness. I would be lying to you if I said it hasn't been a difficult journey for me.
When I was diagnosed at 21, my entire world was flipped upside down. I had been having symptoms of lupus for almost 4 years, and honestly, this disease was not on my radar of things that could be causing me so much misery. After finally finding a doctor who would truly listen to my concerns, we worked quickly to figure out exactly what was causing my health issues. When I finally received the diagnosis, I was relieved but also terrified. This is a disease that I will most likely have for the rest of my life as there is no cure. I was always told that my 20s would be the prime of my life, but now I have been diagnosed with a disease that has, is and will cause many limitations for me. This sent me into a major pit of depression for quite a while as I tried to come to terms with my diagnosis. With the help of my medical team, we have been working diligently to figure out the best treatment plan. Although I still struggle sometimes with the daunting thoughts of what could happen down the line, I do feel a lot more hopeful than I did before which is all thanks to my rheumatologists and the LFA.
As I was doing research about lupus, I came across this organization. The Lupus Foundation of America has loads of resources such as support groups, tons of articles regarding living with lupus, handling your diagnosis, and even financial support for those struggling with their medical bills. This foundation has truly helped me fully understand my diagnosis and I am forever grateful for getting the chance to find it.
Many people don't even know about lupus, let alone understand what the disease truly is. This is why I am joining thousands of people across the country for the Walk to End Lupus Now®. We want to spread awareness which will hopefully garner more support from the general public to research this disease and hopefully one day find a cure. I hope that you will join me either by lacing up your sneakers or by donating to my fundraising page.
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!
