WHY I WALK! 

Hello from Swansea, Illinois. I'm Christy Wohlgemuth, a 43-year-old mom of two incredible daughters, two adorable dogs, a salty cat, and so many plants. I am also a wife, teacher, avid reader, and a lupus patient. Though it can be difficult at times as lupus absolutely dominates every aspect of my life, I try not to describe myself first as someone with this awful disease.  

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is different for everyone. For some it can be very mild, and for others it can be fatal. Lupus can attack any organ in the body, including the skin, heart, lungs, and central nervous system. It is a difficult to live with and can be hard to manage. 

Lupus is the cruel disease that stopped my love of running in its tracks. The disease that forces me to stay out of the sun or risk a flare of my lupus. The disease that causes my joints to swell, terrible headaches, awful pain, and incredible fatigue. I am on lots of prescription medications, I undergo chemo infusions to calm my immune system, and see several specialists to treat my many symptoms.  

I raise funds and walk in the Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter's Walk to End Lupus Now in St. Louis because I want to fund research to find a cure for lupus, and to support local programs to help people living with lupus find help and support.

Sign up today to join the Heartland Chapter's Walk to End Lupus Now, help raise money to research for a cure, and if you're near St. Louis, I'll see you on the trail!  

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!