"Warriors for CJ'' is a team that was started in support of a very special Lupus Warrior, who we all love and know as CJ, to help raise awareness and fund research to END LUPUS!

What is Lupus? In the most simple terms, it's an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system is unable to distinguish between healthy tissue and foreign antibodies causing it to attack any and everything in the body.  When this happens, a number of different symptoms may arise which are also referred to as "flare-ups".  Flare-ups can range from minor to life threatening and last hours, days, weeks, months and even years. 

How can I support someone who has Lupus? Show up! Get out and Walk with us! Donate to foundations and events like this that are dedicated to funding research to finding a cure. Living with Lupus is scary and unpredictable so be someone they can count on. Be an Advocate, educate yourself on Lupus and spread awareness.

A little about CJ...

CJ was diagnosed with Lupus SLE when she was only 9 years young, mostly affecting her joints and muscles at that time. She was in and out of remission (an extended period of time without disease activity) until her mid 20s where things began to take a turn. CJ's health declined quickly when the Lupus attacked her kidneys which is called Lupus Nephritis. Flare-ups for CJ consist of arthritis in joints which can come on very suddenly and can severly limit they ability to use the affected joint, prolonged spasming and cramping of muscles especially in hands, neck and feet, hemorraging, fatigue, ulcers, nausea, loss of appetite, hair loss, weight loss, butterfly rash, pain and more. As a result of the attacks, there came other conditions such as Chronic Kidney Disease and High blood pressure (from the Lupus attacking the kidneys), Anemia, Petechiae, vasculitis, Rynauds (from the lupus attacking the blood causing poor circulation, burst blood vessles, uncontrolable bleeding). Due to the severity and accelerated progression in disease activity, her treatment plan needed to be just as aggressive and she began IV chemo treatments. Chemo for Lupus patients is given in severe cases in an attempt to halt the progression of the disease. This was successful until CJ suffered a hemorrhage, where she lost half the volume of blood in her body and required 2 blood transfusions landing her in ICU. This led to months of weekly Iron infusions to keep her blood count high enough to avoid more transfusions. The beating took a toll her body had a hard time recovering from and as you can imagine the Lupus took full advantage. That's when she underwent another round of chemo. 

Today, CJ is stable and continues to see her medical team for regular check-ups and routine lab work but is happy to say has been able to stay mostly away from hospitals otherwise. She still gets flare-ups and battles symptoms and medication side effects but handles it like the warrior she is. The journey has not been easy but this warrior has an army by her side. 

CJ has been most grateful for her family and the support from those in her life along this journey. Her spirit and energy are unmatched on her good days and that's what helps her push through the tough ones, and even on those days she's still making anyone around her laugh. CJ is hopeful for a cure, and inspired by advancements in treatment options. 

This is where we need your help!  Your donation can help fund research to better understand, treat and we hope one day find a cure for Lupus! Warriors for CJ would love to have you register to join our team to walk to END LUPUS!