Lupus Foundation of America

Caring For a Cause: Lupus Foundation of America

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

You never realize the severity of a disease or sickness until you or someone you love is directly affected. Unfortunately, this has been the case for me over the past week. My friend’s struggles have led me to the complete understanding and realization that lupus is a painful, lifelong disease.

My friend was diagnosed with lupus at age 13. 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 damage any part of the body, including skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. Her case was very rare, as lupus normally strikes women of childbearing age, and more commonly ages 30-45.

I never realized the extremity of this disease until this week. I knew Charlene had struggled with this for the majority of her life, but never did see her at her worst. I found out she was in the hospital on Tuesday morning and visited her later that day. I was shocked with what I found. My fun-loving and energetic friend was not herself. She laid on the hospital bed, unable to move, speak, or even breathe on her own. It hurt me to see my friend in so much pain, and made me appreciate both her and life so much more.

There is currently no cure for lupus. However, The Lupus Foundation of America is a national nonprofit health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus. You can go to this website to learn more or to make a donation.

Charlene and I in December



Charlene and I in January, after she got the tubes removed and was able to breathe on her own again!