Walk to End Lupus Now - Milwaukee 2022

Hello All,

Another year walking for the fundraiser that means so much to me. This is the 20th anniversary of the walk, and I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the donors that have supported me over these years. 20 years of trying to share a little bit about the disease I deal with on a daily basis and have had for 28 years. With your help, I have managed to raise over $63,000 so far! I don't take this for granted - I am always in awe of the support that I receive, and will forever be grateful.

I always struggle with what to write about for my annual page. This year, it's about loving yourself and listening to your body. ? I'm also going to re-post my daily lupus posts from last year on social media, and try to include some new things.

After 17+ years of working as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, waking up at 4am to go to work, and being thoroughly exhausted when I came home, I decided to switch my career path.
I am now a Systems Analyst (aka computer/IT) for the laboratories that I have been a part of for so many years.

This was a giant change, and one that was not taken lightly since I was very passionate about my work as the leader of 4 divisional hospital blood banks. There were many tears and sleepless nights. I LOVED what I was doing and I was good at it...but I also knew I was hurting my body...and that was so hard for my family to see.

This choice was made to put my health and my family first.

I no longer wake up in pain and exhausted. I no longer come home and have to immediatly get off my feet or go directly to bed. I am able to engage with my family and friends more than I ever did before, and I have energy and a desire to exercise! All of these things had taken a huge toll on my body, mind, and spirit.

My husband has seen a huge change. He used to struggle to get words out of me because I was so tired...and now there's times when he can't get me to shut up! ?

I am able to truly listen to my body now and give it what it needs, which is a blessing for someone with lupus.

It was very hard to start a new job at this point in my life (and I have so much to learn), but I'm here for it!

Here's to new beginnings and self love. It's never too late to begin again!

To learn more about this disease and how it can affect lives, please visit https://www.lupus.org/wisconsin/resources-6.

Please support me and all of the other lupus warriors by donating through this fundraising page! Any and all amounts are greatly appreciated and benefit the cause. ?

-Sarah