Meet Janay Townes | Founder of LupiesUnite Non-Profit Organization/Lupus Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janay Townes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janay, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite affirmation is something that I say everyday when I wake up, “I May Have Lupus But Lupus Doesn’t Have Me.” I have been battling an autoimmune illness called lupus for the past eight-teen years. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body; the skin, joints, and /or organs. In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. Normally our immune systems produce proteins called antibodies which protect the body from these invaders. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. My lupus happens to be a complicated case causing me to have numerous hospital admissions, surgeries, and many different treatments. Even with all I have been through the years, I fight every single day like it is my last and remind myself that “I May Have But Lupus Doesn’t Have Me.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
LupiesUnite Non-Profit Organization was started due to the lack of awareness for Lupus and other auto immune illnesses. Lupus does not get the recognition that it deserves in the medical community and in the world. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 1.5 million Americans are living with some form of lupus and 5 million people are living with it worldwide. Lupus affects 90% of women and is 2 to 3 times more prevalent in ethic communities and only 10% of men are diagnosed with Lupus. LupiesUnite mission is to educate and spread awareness about Lupus and other underline autoimmune illnesses such as Fibromyalgia, and Rheumatoid Arthritis . We offer many programs and services to give you the knowledge you need to know about any and everything lupus related; patient testimonials, mentor services for lupus patients and their loved ones and much more.

We accept donations of all kind to help Lupus patients in need of help with medication assistance, lupies in need of clothing/shoes, lupie parents in need of help with school supplies, etc. LupiesUnite wants the world to know the severity and seriousness about Lupus and the damage it can cause. We also want to show the world despite having lupus, you can still live a fulfilled life and accomplish your dreams and goals. Lupus is not the death sentence it used to be; as long as you follow up with your doctors, figure out a plan that works for you rather if that is taking prescription medications or going the holistic route, you can live a long fulfilled life. Just like the world knows about Cancer, Diabetes, and Aids, we need the world to know about Lupus and that is what LupiesUnite is here to do. Our number one goal is to put lupus on the map and give lupus the recognition it deserves, especially in the medical community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a calm cool simple type of person so for two of the days we will just stay in the house order takeout watch movies and play some games. Since I am a huge foodie we would hit up some restaurants and bars that has amazing food such as Xfinity Live, Kings and Queens, Relish, and The Chart House to name a few then; we will check out some museums and landmarks in Philly because I love learning about culture and history. We will visit The Belmont Mansion which was a part of underground railroad, the Colored Girls Museum which is a memoir museum devoted to the stories, experiences, and history of ordinary black women and girls, the African American Museum which is full of black history, and then the end the week touring the beautiful city of brotherly love and check out landmarks such as Love Park, South Street, and the last stop would be The Art Museum to run up the iconic Rocky steps.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to take the time to shoutout the strong, brave, lupus community. It is because of them I share my lupus journey with the world in hopes of helping others to do the same. If my story can touch just one person, then I know I am doing the right thing by sharing my lupus journey.

Website: https://www.lupiesunite.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LupiesUnite/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LupiesUnite

Image Credits
You can credit all photos by me Janay Townes