Toni’s story
Toni is a paid spokesperson for Bristol Myers Squibb.
Diagnosed with lupus during her military service, Toni has faced tremendous challenges.
“Lupus has taken many things from me,” she said. “It took my marriage, it took my career and almost my life.”
Despite these hardships, lupus became a turning point for Toni, prompting personal growth and positive change. Now retired and living in the Southwest, she supports others newly diagnosed with lupus, offering guidance and encouragement as they navigate their own journeys.
“I feel like I took off my uniform and put on a purple cape,” Toni said, referencing the color often associated with lupus awareness. “I used to lead soldiers; now I lead those newly diagnosed.”
For Toni, living with lupus means taking charge, helping others and proving that while her life has changed, it has also been meaningfully transformed.
When it comes to lupus, Toni says: “I have it; it doesn’t have me. I’m going to manage it as best I can.”
About Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder – when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues – that can affect almost any organ system. Lupus most often affects the skin, joints, kidneys, blood vessels, blood cells, brain and lungs, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs.
System lupus erythematosus, often referred to as SLE, is the most common type of lupus, representing about 70% of all lupus cases. SLE is most often diagnosed in women of childbearing age and individuals of African and Asian ancestry. The condition can result in unpredictable disease flares, and the majority of people with SLE feel that the condition takes a toll on their daily lives.
There is a need for therapies that can reduce disease activity for people living with lupus, prevent flares and organ damage, control symptoms and improve quality of life.
Additional information about lupus and resources for people living with the condition can be found via the following advocacy organizations’ websites, among others:
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About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. As global citizens, we work sustainably and responsibly to create a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.
