LupiesUnite was founded in 2019 to address the lack of awareness surrounding Lupus and other autoimmune illnesses. Unfortunately, Lupus does not receive the attention or recognition it deserves in the medical community and the world at large. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide live with some form of Lupus. Lupus affects 90% of women and is 2 to 3 times more prevalent in ethnic communities. Only 10% of men are diagnosed with Lupus. LupiesUnite aims to educate and increase awareness about Lupus and other underlying autoimmune illnesses, such as Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Our organization offers various programs and services to provide you with the knowledge you need on anything related to Lupus, including patient testimonials, mentor services for Lupus patients and their loved ones, and much more.

At LupiesUnite, we welcome donations of all kinds to support those with Lupus who require assistance with medication, clothing/shoes, and school supplies. Our mission is to raise awareness about the severity of Lupus and the damage it can cause, while also showing that those living with the condition can still achieve their dreams and goals. Lupus is no longer the death sentence it once was, and with proper medical care and a personalized treatment plan, individuals with Lupus can lead fulfilling lives. We want the world to know about Lupus in the same way that Cancer, Diabetes, and AIDS are widely recognized, and our ultimate goal is to give Lupus the recognition it deserves, particularly in the medical community.

Meet The Family

Our founder, Janay Townes, was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, and later moved to Carney’s Point, NJ, when she was fourteen. Janay was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus kidney nephritis stage four in 2004, and she was only fifteen years old. Not knowing that lupus causes a lot of underlying illnesses, throughout the years, she has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Asthma, Anemia, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Fibromyalgia, Depression/Anxiety, High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Severe Insomnia, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and severe Migraines. She has had numerous surgeries and procedures such as Bilateral Hip Core Decompression, Left Hip Replacement, Right Shoulder Replacement, Gallbladder removal, Appendix removal, several Colonoscopies/Endoscopies, and removal of Cancer Cells, and soon will have her Right Hip Replaced.

She has been on every lupus medication/treatment, including multiple rounds of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, plasmapheresis, losing all her teeth, and being in full menopause by age thirty. With all that she has going on with her many illnesses, she has remained a humble lupus warrior and is still standing despite what she has been through. Janay still has good and bad days, but no matter what, she wakes up every morning ready to defeat lupus and whatever else comes her way. Having lupus is 365 days, 24/7 job, with NO days off. Janay started LupiesUnite so people with lupus can have a voice and be heard. Many people are still ignorant about lupus. If only they knew what people with lupus go through daily, they would understand why lupus survivors are so vocal about Lupus Awareness. Janay may have lupus, but lupus does not have her. Lupus will not bring Janay down. No matter how many times she may fall, she will get right back up and continue to fight, spread awareness, and educate the world about lupus.