Planning Time

Well we have reached $4,500 and counting. There is no recession in God's eyes as it applies to garnering help for people who are unable to speak and fight for themselves. Letting people suffer and die needlessly, the powers that be need to be ashamed.

This blog was designed to introduce and track the progress of TEAM Cakesy, so I thought. Little did I know it would become more than a site with a funny name. I was surprised to learn that the site was the first introduction that some had to lupus. I was thinking that I probably scared those poor folks to death. Ha! But hey, what else could I do but give it to people straight? Lupus is something that I deal with every minute of the day so I guess I would be the perfect candidate to write about it. A very small percentage, like 2% or less, are diagnosed with both discoid and systemic lupus, simultaneously. Leave it to me to have both. I always knew that I was special.

So now the plan is to start planning for next year's Lupus Walk. It is going to be on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Metro Beach in Harrison Township, Michigan. This is the Lupus Alliance of America's Michigan Indiana Affiliate's walk and not the ALR walk. I actually work as a Public Relations Specialist for the Lupus Alliance but had committed to the ALR walk before I was offered a job. Of course, I would have loved for all of TEAM Cakesy's pledges to go to my organization but I was too far along in organizing for the ALR's walk to jump ship. It's all good though. Can't cry over spilled milk as my Aunt Joyce likes to say. Upward and onward, soldiers!

The Newest PR Associate

Yipee! TEAM Cakesy is forging ahead and making a difference. As of today, we have almost $900 in pledges with our goal being two grand. I have faith that we will surpass that goal and garner even more pledges. It's still early in the game as the walk isn't until September but we do appreciate everyone who has pledged thus far. May you be blessed.

Lupus and I have been getting along fairly well as of late. Here it is 7 years into the game and I still don't know what I can do and what I can't. Lupus is terribly unpredictable. Some days I can wiggle my right thumb and other days it's as stiff as cardboard. Oh well, woe is me. As long as my third finger on each hand works, It's all good. ;)

Oh yeah. Great news alert!!! You are reading the blog of the newest Public Relations Associate (the only PR associate, mind you) of the Lupus Alliance of America's Michigan/Indiana chapter. Heyyy! Hoooo! I am so excited. I went in for a volunteer opportunity and came out with a part-time gig. I always wished to do public relations for an organization that supports lupus research and by golly, from my lips to God's ears. He made my dream a reality. I am absolutely thrilled. I knew God was going to get His glory in my struggle.

However, during your struggle, be a class act in all things because you may be the only glimpse of God and goodness that a person may ever encounter. Be sweet and be kind. Until...

Laying the Foundation-One Brick at a Time

Well, the slave driver, oops, I mean Cherish woke me up this morning with exciting news. The Alliance for Lupus Research has named this blog as the blog to watch! Great news on such a dreary Monday morning. The slave driver, dang, I mean Cherish, then said it's time to add another blog entry. So being the lowly patient with no energy to fight back, I dusted off the laptop and here I am.

I am so pleased because since the inception of all things Lupus last week via the web, everything has been flowing smoothly. This blog has been recieved well and the Sharon's Face Vs. Lupus video is nothing short of amazing. When I viewed the video for the first time, I cried and cried. I had cried so much that I ended up being awake for 24 hours. Just up doing nothing in particular. I guess I was just so amazed that someone would take the time to put together so meaningful for little old me. ;)

On the other hand, fundraising is going wonderfully. TEAM Cakesy has amassed $600 in pledges for lupus research. Yeah! Take that lupus! And, like Puff Daddy, we won't stop. It seems like everyday I am connecting with someone else with lupus. I love it. We have to uphold and encourage one another. We know each others struggle and we know each other's pain. And that's why like Puff Daddy, we CAN'T stop. Until...

First Post, Here Goes...

Well, this is officially my first post for the TEAM Caksey blog that Cherish has so graciously put together for the Lupus Walk in September. While she is the technical brawn behind the operation, April is the muscle brawn. April said that she is going to "Run Forest Run" and come in first place in the walk. As for me, all I did was get diagnosed with Lupus and so I haven't quite figured what kind of brawn that is.

The wheels started spinning when April decided months ago that she was going to participate in the walk in honor of me. I thank God that she is walking in honor of me instead of in memory of me.

Not only am I thankful for these two but also for all of you that are reading this. Life always seems to throw unexpected twists and turns our way. I had no intention of being diagnosed with a chronic illness-trust me that was never on my radar-but since it has happened, I have decided that despite the rain, I will see rainbows. So with that said I have decided to volunteer for the Lupus Alliance of America's Michigan/Indiana chapter. I am beyond thrilled! I am going to do PR one day per week for the Alliance spreading awareness. I just want to help get the word out about Lupus and its devestating effects on a person and their loved ones.

I have Cherish and April to thank for this move. They are always very vocal about how I inspire them but now I am returning the favor. They were my inspiration in my decision to volunteer. I figured if they can do all this for my cause then I should be able to do something for my cause. Everyone can do something is what I have always said. So, publicly, you ladies already know that I love you but now I am saying thank you. Thank you for your friendship, understanding and inspiration. Furthermore, I went seeking a volunteer opportunity but left the Alliance with the director telling me that he is going to attempt to seek funds to pay me a lil something, something. "What the devil meant for evil, God set it up for good." Until...