Hi! My name is Alexia and I was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 15. At the time, so many emotions washed over me as I confronted this new illness. Fear. Frustration. Sadness. Anger. But most importantly, relief. Relief knowing that there was a name for the mysterious collection of symptoms that had been plaguing my body for over a year.  Relief that there were proven treatment plans out there and one might work for me. Relief that there are researchers and doctors all over tirelessly working on a cure. And now, at the age of 23, I feel new emotions. Hope. Courage. Faith.

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.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!