Fighting Lupus One Step at a Time
When I was diagnosed with lupus in January of 2008 I was so confused I didn’t even know what questions to ask my doctors. When I moved to Birmingham last summer I signed up for Walk for Lupus Now Birmingham, an annual event that helps to raise awareness of lupus and funds for research. At the walk I learned things about lupus that changed my life. For so long I felt guilty for being tired all the time. I thought my lack of energy meant I was lazy, but now I know it’s the result of this disease.
The walk was also great because it allowed me to connect with other people living with lupus. With this in mind I signed on to help promote this year’s walk. If you’re a reader based in or near Birmingham I’d love for you to help me get the word out.
Tell all of your friends about the walk, which will be held 8 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Heardmont Park, 5452 Cahaba Valley Road. Better yet, get some friends together and start a team. You can register at walkforlupusnowbirmingham.kintera.org.
For those of you eager to get back in shape, the event is a great way to kick off a summer of exercise. The Walk for Lupus Now Birmingham event is a 1, 2 or 3 mile walk around the paved paths in beautiful Heardmont Park, but it’s relaxing and is not competitive.
What is lupus and why should you care? Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause damage to any organ in the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. There are nearly two million Americans living with lupus and more than 27,000 Alabamians suffering from this potentially life-threatening disease.
Even if you’re not a Birmingham babe, you can still help by making a donation to my walk. Visit my personal walk page at http://walkforlupusnowbirmingham.kintera.org/javacia to do so. A small donation of $10 will go a long way.
ill be there!