Fight Lupus: Donate $5 to Help Charley & Isabella

The $5 Challenge

My name is Charley Rine. My friend Isabella Nunez and I are raising money to donate to the Lupus Foundation of America.

The $5 Challenge is an annual Stillwater, Oklahoma FFA activity in which we do our best to turn $5 into the biggest impact we can make. Help us crush our goal of $2,500.

We both are donating our $5 to start this fundraiser. We ask that you donate $5 or more and share with all your friends on Facebook.

Both of our moms are living with lupus, and this has affected our lives in so many ways. We are very grateful for your time and contribution to this cause and hope that we too can make an impact on people who are living with lupus.

Lupus is a chronic (long-lasting) type of autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases happen when your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. This attack causes inflammation. It can also damage many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain.

Skin: A butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose, or other red, scaly bumps or patches. You might also experience hair loss, mouth ulcers, or sores.

Joints: Joint and muscle pain.

Kidneys: Swelling in the legs, or high blood pressure.

Heart: Valve problems, or inflammation of the heart muscle or lining.

Lungs: Fluid buildup in the pleural space, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood.

Brain: Headaches, weakness, numbness, tingling, seizures, vision problems, memory, and personality changes.

Digestive tract: Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Blood: Clots in veins or arteries, inflammation of blood vessels, or anemia.

Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening. There's no cure, but treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms. A healthcare provider can help you find medications to manage your symptoms.

The cause of lupus is not well understood, but it's likely that there's a genetic component and environmental factors play a role. Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs, or sunlight.