To My Friends and Family
As many of you may know, I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2011 when I was 13 years old. My Lupus affects my kidneys (referred to as lupus nephritis) and my skin, with one of my biggest triggers being the sun and heat/sun exposure. I have been very blessed to have access to specialty doctors and medication that kept my lupus in remission for over 6 years with very little impact to my daily life. After starting graduate school in 2021, my lupus came back full force. Since then, it has been countless appointments, blood draws, medications, with a couple of hospitalizations and a kidney biopsy. I am so thankful for the doctors at the University of Iowa Hospital and for my professors in the Iowa College of Public Health who helped me get to where I am now while completing my masters degree.
Since this flare has been going on three years now, I want to bring some positivity to my life to help my mental health while struggling with my lupus. Please consider helping me achieve this goal by donating to my walk with the Lupus Foundation of America!
Walk to End Lupus Now: Orange County
Date: Saturday, October 19th, 2024
Location: Mason Regional Park, Irvine, CA 92612
Time: Registration begins @ 8am, Ceremony @ 9am, Walk begins @ 9:30am
About the Walk
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! Any contribution amount 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.
Overview of Lupus
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 from your favorite lupus warrior!
All my love,
Emma
