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 has been instrumental to me in dealing with and making something from my diagnosis, but that does not mean that it is easy or something I have a talent for. I was never good at running. I was the slowest on my team and it never came naturally to me, but running gives me a very unique way to take something back from lupus. I am uncomfortable most of the time - whether that be because of my pain, burning on my skin, nausea, or exhaustion. Running is an uncomfortable activity, but when I run, I am choosing to do something uncomfortable. I do not choose to be uncomfortable when I am just living, but running makes discomfort a conscious and active choice. It gives me the power back. It gives me an autonomy that nothing else has. Equally as important, running is the way that I raise awareness for lupus. This will be my third marathon to raise money for lupus research. I have hope that there will be a cure, and am doing my part by increasing public awareness, connecting with others, and fundraising for research to make that cure not just a possibility, but a reality. Every individual that donates is playing a role in letting that hope transform the future. 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.