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Raise Lupus Awareness
Gildan Ultra Cotton T-shirt
- Sizes YXS - XXXXL
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About this campaign
What is lupus? Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). These are some additional facts about lupus that you should know: Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone. Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above. Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive. Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life. Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus. More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country. It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus. Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too. Most people will develop lupus between the ages of 15-44. Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians. People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
Oliva Garcia
Age - 25
Hispanic Female
As a normal year, I went in for my annual exam, the doctor asked if I had any concerns, I said YES! My hair has been falling out uncontrollably, which left bald spots in the front and back of head, it was then, she looked at my spots in my head, she decided to test me for my thyroid & lupus, couple weeks passed and she finally called, and explained that my lupus test came back positive, then my heart hit the floor, never in a million years would I have thought any thing could be seriously wrong, she told me not to get myself worked up about it, that she would send me to an internal medicine doctor & we'd go from there. Then, a few weeks passed by, and I had my first appointment with the internal medicine doctor, we went over tons of questions, and did what felt like a 100 blood test, Withthe on going problems I was having, and all her blood work coming back positive for lupus. Then I had my first appointment with a rheumatologist.It was then Dr. Karim of Greenville, MS whofully diagnosed me with Lupus, RA, Raynaud's Syndrome and along with all that I developed depression. I was diagnosed at the age of 21. I am now 25, I will never be able to explain fully how this has affected my life, physically and mentally. I wake up in pain everyday, there's some days I can't even write my own name or hardly get out of the bed, I can't get cold cause I'll lose circulation too my hands and feet, and I can't be in the sun because it's a chance it will flare my lupus up. I could go on and on about all of this, but I wastold to keep it brief, I have kept the faith, and that's all I have. God has the last answer to everything that occurs in life & giving up is not a option!!!
Ryne S. Gipson
Age - 28
African-American Male
It was early February of 2009, working at AutoZone, andin the last semester of college, onset to graduate. I caught what I thought to be the flu, but after I wasn't sweating afterdrinking a "hot totty", putting on several layers of clothing, and wrapping up underseveral layers of blankets, I knew some else was wrong. I went to the doctorand I was told that my blood work showed that I had Lymphoma, also calledlymphatic cancer, and I would have to have abiopsy done. Once I got on the elevator with my mom Iimmediately broke down, and I sent out a mass text telling people to pray for me. After the results of my biopsycame back, it was clear I didn't have cancer, but we were still unsure what I had. It was then my brother said, "we need to go somewhere else". Things went back to normal for about two weeks and then I began to get extremely weak. I came home the hear my friend preach but I never made it to the church. I went in to see my doctor and thepalms of my hands were completely white. I was place on a 24 hour observation and I ended up staying in the hospital for about 6 or 7 weeks, felt like forever. I thought that Baptist Desoto was going to be my last stop on Earth. I was extremely weak, scared out my mind, andIlost a significant amount of weight. My heart rate was roughly 144 my entire stay, and due to the amount of steroids I received I was completely out of my mind for about 2 weeks. I had every test, exams, etc... that a hospital could offer. It was thendiscovered that my kidneys were filtering to much protein.After I was finally diagnosed andreleased from the hospital, not fully aware of the effect lupus would have on my life, I attempted to return to normal. Little did I know living with lupus would be a battle of uncertainty. Some days I would go to sleep fine, then wake up and need help to get out of bed. Not to mention the constant weigh gain.Everyday is a struggle, EVERYDAY. The simplest task prove extremely difficult at times for no apparent reason.I try my best not to complain all day, and live a somewhat normal, productive life, as its very hard for those not affected bylupus to understand. I continue to pray,exercise, eat healthy, thank God, and try my best to raise lupus awareness DAILY.
Olivia & Ryne #LHandSign #LupusWarriors #LivingWithLupus #RaiseLupusAwareness #PurpleThursdays
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Supporters
Was originally diagnosed with SLE almost 20 years ago. Had weekly + RA titers & sky high ANAs. In the past those 2 have swapped places & definitely have RA. As a pt & an NP, I know the frustration of living with autoimmune Dz & even just getting a dx
I have a friend that lost her mother to Lupus & her sister has it. I have a friend that lost her cousin to Lupus. And my Facebook friend, Ryne is a Lupus warrior.
My heart and prayers go out to you both and all those who suffer from this disease...My next door neighbor also has Lupus in which it affects her lungs and everyday is a struggle!! Keep the faith!!!
This is a really good thing you guys are doing, I support you all %1000
I suffer from the pain of lupus everyday!!! its going to take more then a few to raise awareness in Mississippi!!!
Because of Olivia Garcia and my best friend Rose Cosby has this disease!
In support of a strong young man. Thanks for educating individuals concerning Lupus.