For those of you who are unfamiliar with lupus, lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ in the body, including the heart, lungs, brain, blood, kidneys, joints or skin.  In an autoimmune disease, the immune system essentially attacks itself which causes inflammation and damage to a person's tissues and organs. 

Lupus is chronic disease with no cure.    The disease has affected my lungs, brain, intestines, eyes,  and joints.  I can feel well one day and be unable to function the next.  The disease is unpredicatable and has varying degrees of severity.  I am on the severe side.  In the past few years I have been hospitalized several times, fed by a tube for months at a time, been confined to a wheelchair, and knocked more times than I have liked on death's door.

In order to live a "normal" life, I have to take numerous medications several times a day and make continual modifications to activities of daily living depending upon which organs are working properly.  For instance, if my eyes are inflammed, I must wear sunglasses indoors (quite a fashion statement); if my hands aren't working, I have to wear clothing without buttons and eat food that doesn't require holding utensils; and if my joints are swollen, I have to wear sensible shoes, which is the worst!

There has only been one medication approved for Lupus in fifty years and for me the risk outweighs the benefit.  Until a new medication is approved, I have no further treatment options available. 

I am asking you for a monetary donation to the Lupus Alliance to help save my life and lives of others. 

 

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

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!