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For World Lupus Day my family, friends and I are participating in a 5km walk to help raise awareness of Lupus.

Lupus otherwise known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition which means that it is caused by problems with the immune system.  Rather than just fighting viruses, bacteria and infections by producing antibodies, your body starts to attack and destroy healthy cells, tissues and organs.

For those diagnosed with the disease there is no current cure and because the bodies defence mechanism is attacking itself it can affect any organ within the body such as skin, joints, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels etc. 

For many sufferers it is a daily battle against fatigue, pain, swelling, rashes, fevers and many other manifestations that the disease brings.

Until a few years ago I had never heard of this disease but over time have found out how wide spread it actually is and how many people are affected by this illness and what a devastating effect it has on their life. 

For those who know me I was diagnosed with Lupus nearly ten years ago and have found out what it is like to live on a day to day basis with this disease and some of you have seen how life has changed since diagnosis and the struggle that this can bring at times. 

This is why I have put together this walk to help raise awareness on World Lupus Day and if we can raise some funds as well it can help the charity and hopefully one day they will find a cure. 

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