Several years ago, I shared something that I had mostly kept private: I live with lupus. It’s something I kept private for a long time, but over the years I’ve come to believe that silence doesn’t help people understand what living with an autoimmune disease is really like — and understanding is exactly what this cause needs

Lupus affects millions of people, yet it is still widely misunderstood. According to the Lupus Research Alliance, lupus is one of the most challenging autoimmune diseases to understand and treat. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues, causing inflammation and damage across multiple organs, and as a chronic condition it requires long-term care and careful management.

Lupus is also unpredictable. It affects each person differently, with symptoms that can be subtle, intermittent, or mimic other illnesses. This variability often delays diagnosis and complicates treatment decisions, which is why lupus is sometimes called “the disease with 1,000 faces.”

LupusResearch.org

One of the most striking realities about lupus is who it impacts most. A disproportionately high number of diagnoses occur among Black women, particularly those over the age of 40. I fall within that demographic, which makes this cause feel especially meaningful to me.

Unlike many health conditions, lupus is not the result of a particular lifestyle. It cannot be prevented through diet, exercise, or other common wellness strategies. And while medical science has made progress in managing symptoms and improving quality of life, there is still no cure… yet.

That is why research matters.

That is also why I’m organizing The Mighty Walk for Lupus. A walk to bring people together to raise awareness and show support the people who live with this disease. They are strong and they are mighty.

By participating in the walk or making a monetary contribution, you are helping support the research that will lead to earlier diagnoses, better treatments, and, one day, a cure.

Thank you for being part of The Mighty Walk for Lupus.

Interested in meeting us at the walk? Register here.

Click here for more information about the Lupus Research Alliance. 100% of donations go to research.