Lupus Advocacy Event @ DC Capitol

"The National Policy Summit: Advocacy in Action will be held June 26-27, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Approximately 200 activists from across the country will bring their message to Congress seeking support for more lupus research funding for the National Institutes of Health and to elevate lupus on the nation’s health care agenda." -LFA

My name is Brandi and I have the opportunity to take my Lupus story to D.C. in an effort to advance awareness and research for better coverage, treatment plans, and a cure.

I'm a certified fitness trainer and college professor working my way through weekly chemotherapy (among other treatments) due to lupus, raynauds, a hypermobility syndrome, blood disorders, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic sclerosis. You can read my full story here: http://www.lupus.org/indiana/news/entry/like-you-brandi-fabel.

I'm now on my feet again working full time and doing advocacy work in many ways as possible. I volunteer for the Lupus Foundation of America and want to take the message of Lupus to Washington DC. I feel as though my health story, my education, and my determination to spread awareness allows me to have this unique opportunity.

Unfortunately a teacher's salary does not. So I have decided to see if I can raise the funds to be a part of the summit. My goal is only to raise enough to cover a stay at the conference hotel where the event is and our airfare. If I can achieve that fundraising goal, I will be sharing publicly our entire adventure through Facebook live and photo albums and on my webpage https://bboucher1.wixsite.com/lupusprime.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Please read more about what Lupus is here: http://www.lupus.org/about.