Welcome to our fundraising team page.

Imagine a day when doctors can say, "There is a cure for lupus". Until that day though, there is work to be done. That's why we are taking action in the fight against lupus. Join us as we participate in the Lupus Foundation of America's Walk to End Lupus Now® to raise critical funds for the estimated 1.5 million people living with lupus in the United States.

Will you join our team and help us reach our fundraising goal? You’ll be supporting the Foundation's efforts to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. You can also support by making a secure contribution on our walk page. Every single dollar counts!

Our Story:

My name is Michelle.  Spring 2009 was the first time I heard the word Lupus - the day I was given my diagnosis. For the next three years I didn’t want people to know. I felt broken, like something was wrong with me that I couldn’t control or fix. Then one day my brother and sister in law asked if I would go to dinner with them and talk to a waitress they had met that shared she was just diagnosed with Lupus. She was scared - we all have felt that and know that feeling. It was at that moment I realized I needed to give this a voice, a face and do something. In 2012 I joined the Lupus Walk, and with the help from my family of athletes and sports enthusiasts, my team name of Mickie’s Fighting Phanatics was born.  I wasn’t just walking for myself but every person that will hear those same words “you have Lupus.” The first walk was so empowering. I saw so many people with similar stories, and I learned I wasn’t alone in this fight. I was finally doing something to try and beat this! Shortly after the walk, also in 2012, I had another reason to raise awareness, and a reason to change my team name……..

My name is Danielle, and I am Michelle’s daughter. I am the reason we are now Mickie and Dee’s Fighting Phanatics. At a very young age I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and experienced renal failure twice shortly thereafter.  In 2013, I received the diagnosis of Lupus.  It is hard to be diagnosed at such a young age, with everyone thinking “wow you look so healthy!” and “you’re fine!” I had watched my mother courageously, but painfully, battle this for years.  I decided to be proactive, and started a course of treatment immediately to get things under control.  Through the bravery my mother showed me, I knew I was not alone.  I had so many resources to help me through my journey.  My family and children are the driving force that keeps me walking every year, and every year our team grows bigger and stronger!  We are Mickie and Dee’s Fighting Phanatics, and we walk for YOU, for US, and for a CURE!