Why We Walk/Run

I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2004. Since then I have also been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Meniere's Disease and most recently Fibromyalgia. I was receiving Remicade treatments from 2007 to 2010 until I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and placed on Lyrica. My energy levels have drastically changed therefore I am walking in 2010 because I can, because I am still able to for those who cannot. I am blessed to not have had any major health issues because of my conditions and I will continue to fight the fight for myself and for others. I work full time and have my own business full time. I am the single mother of a beautiful 18-year old daughter and I will stay strong.

 Carol, team captain of Lupey Loopers

I walk/ run because… My mom (I was named after her) had lupus. She died in 1987. My advice for other Loop Team Captains… Get your family involved and reach out into the community. You will be surprised how many people will help!

Franny, team captain of Franny's Angels

I walk/ run because my mother passed away from Lupus and I do this in her memory. My advice for other Loop Team Captains is to keep asking for donations and to give people education about lupus.

Siobhan, team captain of Barbara's Brigade

My name is Cheri, I was diagnosed with Lupus in June 1994, I'll never forget that day because it is the day that I thought my life had ended.  I had been feeling sick for quite some time, most of the doctors that I went to told me that I was tired and working too hard, I am a wifeand had two young children, and working outside of my home.  Yes, I was tired but this was far beyond tired I could hardly lift my head off of my pillow most mornings.  I searched for answers because I knew something was wrong and I needed someone to help me find the answer.  I finally found my way to a Rheumatalogist who ran lots of tests because he wanted an answer as much as I did, well I finally had an answer Lupus.  When he told me that I was scared, I had never heard of Lupus and I was sure that I was going to die.  I did my research, found out about lupus and found out that it's not a death sentence, but far too many people don't know what Lupus is.  I walk because I want people to know about Lupus, I don't want people to be afraid, we share a common bond in this disease even though it effects each person differently.  I walk for all of the support that I've received over the years, I walk so that others will be encouraged, most of all I walk for ME, because right now, I Am Living Well with Lupus!

Cheri, team captain of Cheri's Family and Friends

I walk in memory of our dear friend and co-worker Cynthia Smith who passed away in 2002. In the early 90's, Cynthia organized a group of young African American women starting in our social work careers with the City of Philadelphia, Office of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services to meet and celebrate our birthdays through exchange of gifts and a night on the town (dinner and a movie). To our surprise, a group which started out celebrating birthdays ended up being so much more; we encouraged each other  to apply for promotions, we have participated in each others weddings, celebrated baptisms,graduations, births and adoption of children, cried with each other at the loss of parents, stood by each other through divorce, personal and family sicknesses, in other words we have become family.Cindy had a vision for us, and in the midst of her struggles, she invited her younger sister Arthurhea Smith to join the group. Cindy entrusted us to now be sisters to her little sister. After Cindy passed away in 2002, we stopped getting together because of the pain of our loss, seeing each other made us miss Cindy too much. But I knew Cindy would not want us to stop the legacy she began; the power of sisterhood.  So in 2006, we started to walk in memory of Cindy in the Lupus Loop. It gave us an opportunity to talk about and remember Cindy and give something back to assist in Lupus research.  My advice, never give up, team members are busy people and you have to constantly remind them to register and collect donations. I've added the team members as a group on my cell phone, so I can text them and everyone gets messages quickly and at the same time.

Liat, team captain of Cindy's Steppin' Sisters

My name is Paige Lachman. I am the captain of the Queen’s Team. This will be the 9th year I have participated in the Lupus Loop! The 1st year I did the Lupus Loop I was 2 years and my mom pushed me in the stroller. I walk because my grandmother died of Lupus 3 months before I was born. I never have met my grandmother but I know she is always watching me and she is proud that I am doing this for her. My grandfather lives inand flies up every year to walk with us also my aunt flies fromto walk with us too. And last year and this year the Chisholms will be walking with us. They are our cousins. The Lupus Loop has become our family tradition and something I can look forward to instead of school!! My advice to other team captains is to let everybody know about the Loop.  My brother and I ride our bikes in our neighborhood and put flyers in their mailboxes and my mom sends e-mails to all our friends and family and asks them to support the Queen's Team.

Paige, team captain of the Queen's Team

I walk/ run because I was diagnosed with lupus when i was sixteen years old. Funding for research comes through awareness, therefore I try to make lupus awareness a part of my life every day. Most people I meet do not know what lupus is, yet it is a very common disease. I created a team in the Lupus Loop to spread the word about lupus and let everyone around me know what they can do to help find better treatments and maybe even a cure.

My advice for other Loop Team Captains is to never be afraid to ask for contributions! People are willing to help this important cause, but unless you explain to them how they can help, they won't know.

The Lupus Loop has helped me to deal with daily life with lupus because I am not just letting the disease control me; I am fighting back. Living with lupus is very difficult, but knowing that thousands of people come together each year to support patients, victims, and families help me to stay positive.

Caitlin, team captain of Caitlin's Team

Why do you walk/run?

Whatever your connection to Walk for Lupus Now, we want to know. Send your story to info@lupustristate.org.