Let’s help Johna SMILE again!

Donation protected

Hi, My name is Lisa and I am fundraising for my dear friend, Johna. Johna is a vibrant, brilliant and beautiful woman who lives with Lupus and Sjogren's Syndrome.

“Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning it causes your body's immune system to attack your own tissues. The inflammation caused by Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, lungs...and your teeth and oral health. Complications from Lupus and Sjogren's Syndrome can lead to periodontal disease, which damages the soft tissue and bones that support the teeth.” *

Johna has been battling periodontal disease caused by Lupus, which has led to many complications for her oral health, including the devastating loss of several teeth. Johna needs extensive - and quite expensive - dental surgery in order to restore her teeth and her general oral health. Oral health is paramount to our general health, particularly for people living with autoimmune diseases like Lupus. Unfortunately, although Johna's periodontal disease is directly caused by her underlying health condition, medical insurance does NOT cover the dental care she needs! (And dental insurance will not cover the extensive work that Johna needs to restore her oral health.)

A healthy mouth is not only pivotal to your overall health, but your smile is one of the first things others notice about you. Tooth loss not only affects your physical health, but your mental health, as well.