ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
It's painful and it causes horrible fatigue, but 1.5 million Americans live with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. The Lupus Foundation of America reports 1 in 200 people has lupus. They said a person will spend three years and see four different doctors before they are properly diagnosed.
Becky Humes was diagnosed with lupus in 1991, but her daily dose of medication keeps her going. She believes her lifespan should be normal, but she said "I will have to live this type of life with medications, financial burdens, the hospitalizations."
However, she said it has helped her grow and surprisingly, she has never missed a day of work due to her illness. Humes said, "I learned things like compassion, patience. I've learned to ask for help when I need it. That was a biggie, that's a hard thing to do."
Doctor Denise Hooks Anderson is also living with lupus. She diagnosed the auto immune disease in herself nine years ago. She explains, "Instead of attacking foreign things in the body, it attacks itself. It attacks your eyes, your heart, your joints, your kidneys, almost every system, your skin."
The Lupus Foundation of America provides direct service to patients, advocacy, research and education for the medical community.
The Missouri and Southern Illinois chapter of this foundation is planning its annual walk to raise awareness. The 26th Annual Walk for Lupus now is set for October 3 at Carondolet Park.
Missouri Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America
Becky Humes was diagnosed with lupus in 1991, but her daily dose of medication keeps her going. She believes her lifespan should be normal, but she said "I will have to live this type of life with medications, financial burdens, the hospitalizations."
However, she said it has helped her grow and surprisingly, she has never missed a day of work due to her illness. Humes said, "I learned things like compassion, patience. I've learned to ask for help when I need it. That was a biggie, that's a hard thing to do."
Doctor Denise Hooks Anderson is also living with lupus. She diagnosed the auto immune disease in herself nine years ago. She explains, "Instead of attacking foreign things in the body, it attacks itself. It attacks your eyes, your heart, your joints, your kidneys, almost every system, your skin."
The Lupus Foundation of America provides direct service to patients, advocacy, research and education for the medical community.
The Missouri and Southern Illinois chapter of this foundation is planning its annual walk to raise awareness. The 26th Annual Walk for Lupus now is set for October 3 at Carondolet Park.
Missouri Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America
