walking with FAYETH. prt 1 STATISTICS.

this post has hit, closer to home for me, than anything that i have talked about so far.

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates, that 1.5 million Americans, and at least 5 million people worldwide, have a form of Lupus.

I was blessed, not burdened to be one of those people .

Although lupus can strike men and women of all ages, 90 percent of indivisuals diagnosed with the disease are women. Most people will develop lupus between the ages of 15-44

I was diagnosed at the age of 5. I am now 19 && counting.

Systemic Lupus (SLE) accounts for approx. 70% of all cases of lupus. In approx. half of these cases, a major organ, such as the heart, lungs,kidneys or brain, will be affected. Cutaneous lupus (affecting the skin) accounts for approx. 10 percent of all lupus cases. Drug induced lupus accounts for about 10 percent of all lupus cases and is caused by high doeses of certain medications. the symptoms of drug induced lupus are similar to SLE; however, symptoms usually subside when medications are discontinued.

I have both SLE and Cutaneous, didnt get the the gift of getting the drug induced one though, bummer.

20 percent of people with lupus will have a parent or sibling who already has lupus or may develop lupus.

ummm, not that we know of.

About 5% of the children born to indivisuals with lupus will develop the illness

I hope not.

Lupus is two to three times more prevelant to women of color-- African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Alaska Natives,Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders -- than among Caucasian Women.

It is difficult to determine the annual number of new lupus cases, or the number of indivisuals who die from health complications of the disease. However, due to improved diagnosis and disease management, most people with the disease will go on to live a normal life span. However, it is believed that between 10-15 % of people with lupus will die prematurely due to complications of lupus.

What doesnt kill you, only makes you stronger. Live your life to the fullest, nothings ever promised tomorrow today. Dare to discover your passion, decide to live your destiny, accomplish, acheive, succeed.

next post, my personal story.

stay tuned.