I am so excited to be participating in the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of Team Life Without Lupus. Not only will I be training like crazy for my run (feel free to follow me on Strava for updates), but more importantly, I am going to leverage all that training and hard work to help raise money for the Lupus Research Alliance, the United States' preeminent nonprofit organization serving the lupus community.

LUPUS - you may have heard of it, but did you know that it is more common than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and sickle-cell anemia combined? Yet it remains one of the country's least recognized diseases. Lupus is serious and complex: it is a chronic, debilitating autoimmune disease that can lead to heart attack and cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, and in some cases death.

Lupus can strike anyone at any time, but the disease disproportionately targets young women and men - 90% of all Americans who suffer with lupus are women, primarily between the ages of 15 and 44.  Lupus has personally affected my family, as my Aunt & Uncle were born with the disease and continue to live with its effects. For as long as I can remember, my Aunt Laura has been organizing charitable events (see photos of just a few of the Walk to End Lupus Now events that she helped organize throughout the years below) and sat on the Board of Directors for the Lupus Foundation of America. Therefore, I take immense pride in having the opportunity to follow in her footsteps toward bringing awareness to this complex disease and to help improve the lives of all people living with lupus by raising funds for the Lupus Research Alliance.

The Lupus Research Alliance unites the global lupus community in bold determination to free the world of lupus through the power of science. Funds raised for the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon will support the Lupus Research Alliance's mission: to find better treatments, prevent and ultimately cure this devastating and complex disease. As show of their commitment to the fight against lupus, the LRA Board of Directors has promised to fund all administrative and fundraising costs. That means 100% of your donation will go directly to support lupus research programs!

The Lupus Research Alliance joins me in thanking you for your consideration and support on our journey to moving ever closer to our goal of a life without lupus!