Do you know about Lupus?
Lupus Awareness Campaign
I was introduced to Lupus through a high school friend when her sister was diagnosed in 2006. I had not heard of the disease before then and was unsure of what exactly it was. I did not know how many people this disease affected and how it affected the body of people of all ages, race and gender. My friend of 10 years, Musetta Reedy allowed me to ask her questions about Lupus and the impact it had on her life.
Musetta Reedy, 24, lead teacher at Head Start school, is very familiar with Lupus as it has effected her family over the years. “My sister, Kalaya Reedy became very ill. She told us that she had a disease called Lupus. My family and I had never heard of it until she sat us down and explained the things that were going on in her body,” says Reedy.
Using the Internet as a tool for conducting research, the Reedy family wanted to become more knowledgeable so they could become a strong support system for Kalaya as she fought against Lupus.
Lupus is a disease that is often overlooked and misunderstood. However, it is one of the leading causes of death amongst African American women. Lupus defined by the National Library of Medicine is when the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake and will cause damage to the joints, skin, blood vessels and organs. As reported by the Lupus Foundation of America - Women make up 90 percent of diagnoses - New cases can be developed between the ages of 15-44 - In 2002, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report indicating that deaths attributed to lupus increased over a 20-year period, particularly among African American women ages 45-64.
Lupus, just like any other disease can change a family’s life and take total control. Musetta explains that Lupus has had an extremely detrimental impact on her life. “I saw the disease come in and take over my sister and it is very scary. It also frightens me because I am not certain if it is genetic, which means it could possibly affect me, or someone else in my family,” says Reedy. Because Lupus is a rare disease, many people aren’t familiar with it and therefore the awareness for it is minimum. Most of the Lupus supporters are people who have come in contact with the disease by either a family member and/or friend.
Musetta agrees with the lack of awareness that Lupus and the disease receive. “Lupus does not receive nearly as much attention and awareness as Breast Cancer, Leukemia and Multiple Sclerosis therefore it lacks in donations,” says Reedy. So in taking awareness in her own hands and for her sister, Musetta uses every chance she can to spread news and information about Lupus to others and making them aware of the disease. “I tell them the symptoms that my sister had as well as the treatments and suffering that she had to go through,” says Reedy.
“We have a walk every year in April, to raise money for awareness and though it is not publicized as I believe it should be, it is a great way for us to come together and support the each other. I am able to see and hear the stories of more cases of people and their loved ones who are living, or who have had Lupus and how they are supported,”says Reedy. “We have created a Team named "Angel Kalaya" in memory of my sister and we raise funds and walk with other families in support,” says Reedy. The Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter hosts their annual Walk For Lupus Now at Piedmont Park on April 28, 2012. Visit Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. to register and sign up for teams. Click here to view the schedule for more Georgia Chapter programs and events.
In memory of Kalaya Reedy June 8, 1985 - October 14, 2008
I was introduced to Lupus through a high school friend when her sister was diagnosed in 2006. I had not heard of the disease before then and was unsure of what exactly it was. I did not know how many people this disease affected and how it affected the body of people of all ages, race and gender. My friend of 10 years, Musetta Reedy allowed me to ask her questions about Lupus and the impact it had on her life.
Musetta Reedy, 24, lead teacher at Head Start school, is very familiar with Lupus as it has effected her family over the years. “My sister, Kalaya Reedy became very ill. She told us that she had a disease called Lupus. My family and I had never heard of it until she sat us down and explained the things that were going on in her body,” says Reedy.
Using the Internet as a tool for conducting research, the Reedy family wanted to become more knowledgeable so they could become a strong support system for Kalaya as she fought against Lupus.
Lupus is a disease that is often overlooked and misunderstood. However, it is one of the leading causes of death amongst African American women. Lupus defined by the National Library of Medicine is when the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake and will cause damage to the joints, skin, blood vessels and organs. As reported by the Lupus Foundation of America - Women make up 90 percent of diagnoses - New cases can be developed between the ages of 15-44 - In 2002, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report indicating that deaths attributed to lupus increased over a 20-year period, particularly among African American women ages 45-64.
Lupus, just like any other disease can change a family’s life and take total control. Musetta explains that Lupus has had an extremely detrimental impact on her life. “I saw the disease come in and take over my sister and it is very scary. It also frightens me because I am not certain if it is genetic, which means it could possibly affect me, or someone else in my family,” says Reedy. Because Lupus is a rare disease, many people aren’t familiar with it and therefore the awareness for it is minimum. Most of the Lupus supporters are people who have come in contact with the disease by either a family member and/or friend.
Musetta agrees with the lack of awareness that Lupus and the disease receive. “Lupus does not receive nearly as much attention and awareness as Breast Cancer, Leukemia and Multiple Sclerosis therefore it lacks in donations,” says Reedy. So in taking awareness in her own hands and for her sister, Musetta uses every chance she can to spread news and information about Lupus to others and making them aware of the disease. “I tell them the symptoms that my sister had as well as the treatments and suffering that she had to go through,” says Reedy.
“We have a walk every year in April, to raise money for awareness and though it is not publicized as I believe it should be, it is a great way for us to come together and support the each other. I am able to see and hear the stories of more cases of people and their loved ones who are living, or who have had Lupus and how they are supported,”says Reedy. “We have created a Team named "Angel Kalaya" in memory of my sister and we raise funds and walk with other families in support,” says Reedy. The Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter hosts their annual Walk For Lupus Now at Piedmont Park on April 28, 2012. Visit Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. to register and sign up for teams. Click here to view the schedule for more Georgia Chapter programs and events.
In memory of Kalaya Reedy June 8, 1985 - October 14, 2008
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