Please join me in my efforts to support the Sjögren's Foundation!
I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s last summer. What is Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins)? (I had never heard of it!) It is a systemic disease, affecting the entire body, whereby symptoms may remain steady or worsen overtime. There is no one single progression of the disease and this can make it challenging for patients and their physicians.
While many patients experience the following:
- Chronic dry, sometimes painfully gritty, red eyes
- Dry mouth (saliva is vital in keeping bacteria from growing and causing decay and tooth loss)..my current nemesis UGH!
- Fatigue and joint pain
Sjögren's can also cause dysfunction of a variety of organs such as:
- Kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system resulting in neurological complications.
- Patients also have a higher chance of developing lymphoma.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing complications and improving one's quality of life.
About half of all Sjogren's patients have or develop other autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, or what I have - Raynaud's disease.
There is no cure at this time – just management of symptoms to minimize the impact on daily life.
June 1st is the inaugural Midwest Walk! So as a newly diagnosed patient looking for support and information, I jumped into this by volunteering to help promote the walk, assisting with day-of set up/registration and joining the walk as a participant. My husband, John, is walking too.
Asking for help and money is very much outside my comfort zone but I'm hoping to make a difference while also learning more about my diagnosis and prognosis. Sjogren's is not rare (4 million Americans) but it's relatively misunderstood or misdiagnosed so raising awareness and funding is important.
Will you help me??!!??
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure and is the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts!
Together we can make a difference and impact the future of Sjögren's!
