Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

I am raising funds, and will be doing a 5k walk for the Lupus Foundation of America. As many of you may know, my mother has been struggling with Lupus for most of my life. Although she has been in remission for a few years now, it is a disease that has deeply touched her life and those around her. So now I am doing my part to find a cure.

For those of you who don't know what Lupus is, here's a little description.          "Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that instead of just attacking foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses, your immune system also turns against healthy tissue. This leads to inflammation and damage to various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain" (Mayo Clinic staff). There is no known cause or cure for Lupus. You can learn more at mayoclinic.com. 

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too! 

There is a song that gives me chills every time I hear it. It is actually about cancer. However, it reminds me of my mother in her fight with Lupus, especially the last verse. .

Little girl alone on the playground Tired of gettin' teased and gettin' pushed around Wishin' she was invisible To them

She ran home cryin'
"Why do they hate me?"
And Mama wiped the tears and said
"Baby, you're brave and you're beautiful.
So, hold your head high.
Don't ever let 'em define
The light in your eyes.
Love yourself, give them Hell.
You can take on this world.
You just stand and be strong
And then fight
Like a girl."

At 31 she was wheelin' and dealin'
Kept on hittin' that same glass ceilin'
She was never gonna be one of the boys, no
She coulda gave up on her ambition
And spent the rest of her life just wishin'
Instead she listened to her mama's voice sayin'

"Hold your head high.
Don't ever let 'em define
The light in your eyes.
Love yourself, give them Hell.
You can take on this world.
You just stand and be strong
And then fight
Like a girl."

Oh, with style and grace
Kick ass and take names

Ten years of climbin' that ladder
Oh, but money and power don't matter
When the doctor said "the cancer spread"
She holds on tight to her husband and babies
And says "this is just another test God gave me.
And I know just how to handle this"

I'll hold my head high
I'll never let this define
The light in my eyes
Love myself, give it Hell
I'll take on this world
If I stand and be strong
No, I'll never give up
I will conquer with love
And I'll fight like
Like a girl

- Fight Like a Girl, by Bomshel