My Team, Just Luppie, is walking in the Lupus Loop and Walk to End Lupus Now in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia on Sunday, October 29, 2023.  Please consider joining my team this year and/or making a 100% tax deduction donation. Click “Donate Now” on this page. 

Here's why I walk.

I’m involved because of my own personal struggles with the disease for over 20 years and I am one of the lucky ones to have been struggling and surviving this long. This past year has been a tough one physically, but I am still here fighting and thankful for every day! 

In case you didn’t know, Lupus is a disease of flares and remissions, which makes life with Lupus very unpredictable. It is a life-threatening, life-diminishing disease with NO Cure! Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Personally, there are days when it’s an effort just to get out of bed. Yet Lupus is often a “hidden” disease because most people don’t look sick but believe me we are! If having Lupus isn’t enough those living with the disease often develop multiple other health issues. I am one of those individuals who suffer from a variety of medical problems. Also, since Lupus is an autoimmune disease, just getting the cold or stomach bug that everyone else has can be the start of Lupus flare, hospital stay or worse. And it’s not just the disease that makes everyday life difficult, but it’s the side effects from all the medications along with the financial and emotional struggles that affect everyone around an individual with Lupus.

Knowing that someone will stand, walk, or run beside you is what makes the most difference on those difficult days.

Thanks for your support!

Carol Gangewer, Just Luppie Team Captain