I am Billie the team captain and creator of Billie’s Butterflies!!!!!! I was diagnosed with Lupus back in 2010, however the doctors found some of my symptoms started back around 2000! However, I was easily able to dismiss them away as something else or by themselves they were not that big enough deal to go see a doctor.....sadly many Lupus symptoms can be confused with flu like symptoms, other skin conditions, STRESS and LACK of SLEEP geez those last two pretty much every other college student like me was experiencing so I certainly wasn’t going to go to the doctor because I was overly fatigued! I had NEVER heard of Lupus, as is the problem for so many, that it never occurred to me to look into this but after many misdiagnosis and some Dr’s telling me I’m crazy, his also happens more often than it should due to doctors lack of knowledge of this disease, I finally got my diagnosis when I was pretty sick and had this really bad rash across my cheeks and nose, I would later find out this is called a butterfly rash which some people with Lupus get, an internist saw the rash and said stop and run the labs for Lupus because I guarantee she has it and sure enough I did. Since then I have been on a rollar coaster ride with how doctors want to treat it some bad some good and everything in between!!!!! My Lupus has affected my lungs, my skin, and my brain!!!! Since going to the brain I have dealt with probably the worst.......I started having seizures, cognitive impairment and memory loss!!!!!
I raise money and do the Walk For Lupus Now each year because the Lupus Foundation of America does so much research as well as help for individuals with this disease !!!!!! I want to one day hear the words there is a cure for Lupus and if not for me for the generation behind me!!!!! Please help me raise money to help research for this awful disease no one should have to live with this as it basically is killing us from the inside out!!!!!!
if you are local PLEASE PLEASE come join our team and walk! Every year I put this out in advance and no one come to the walk which is important too BUT no matter what I will be there with my faithful & loving caregivers/friends even if alone!
Love,
Billie
I’m Walking to End Lupus. Join Me?
Imagine a day when doctors can say, “There is a cure for lupus.” Until that day though, there is work to be done. That’s why I’m taking action in the fight against lupus. Join me as I participate in Lupus Foundation of America’s Walk to End Lupus Now™ in [city] to raise critical funds for the estimated 1.5 million people living with lupus in the United States.
Will you make a donation to help me reach my personal fundraising goal and support the Foundation's efforts to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus? A generous contribution of $25 or $55 can make a definite impact. What’s more, if your employer offers a Matching Gift Program to employees, you may be able to double your contribution with just a little bit of paperwork. Trust me, it’s worth the effort! Every single dollar counts.
Did you know?
- Lupus is a mysterious and misunderstood autoimmune disease. It strikes without warning, affects each person differently, and has no known causes or cure.
- Lupus symptoms can be severe and highly unpredictable and can damage any organ or tissue, from the skin or joints to the heart or kidneys.
- While lupus can strike anyone at any time, 90% of people living with lupus are women. Women of color are at especially high risk.
- Only one drug has ever been developed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically to treat the disease.
Together, we can solve the cruel mystery of lupus. Thank you for your generosity!
