I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 16 years old. This was roughly three years after my symptoms began. The beginning of my illness was lonely - I did not know anyone my age who understood what I was dealing with. By the time I entered college, I turned to running as an outlet and made it my platform. I used my time and platform as an NCAA athlete to raise awareness for chronic illnesses, like lupus. Running is my way to fight back against my disease, to take something back. Running is the one time that I take control over my pain. It is the one time I am in pain because I choose to be. Equally as important, running is the way that I raise awareness for lupus. When I was getting diagnosed, I didn’t know anyone else my age who was going through something similar. My hope is that other sick kids can feel heard and know that they aren’t alone. Please join my fight and consider donation to my fundraiser for the Lupus Research Alliance. Every dollar and every mile is one step closer to a cure. To read more about my story or follow along, find me on Instagram and TikTok @runningwithlupus