It's April, the time of year when I lift my voice to help raise awareness and fundraise to support the work of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR).

As a FSR Community Outreach Leader and Patient Advocate living with sarcoidosis, this campaign is close to my heart.

I was diagnosed with ocular sarcoidosis in 2012 after being visionally impaired for two days. A chest X-ray then subsequent lung biopsy confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis three months later.

Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS) is an inflammatory condition in which the immune system overreacts, causing the formation of tiny clumps of cells (granulomas) in one or more organs of the body. When the immune system overreacts and too many of these clumps form, they can interfere with an organ’s structure and function. There's no cure for sarcoidosis and African American women experience the highest incidence of sarcoidosis in the US compared to any other group.

My condition is currently stable 🙏🏽 but I do experience unexplained fatigue and flare-ups throughout the year. Though I live a simpler, slower pace of life than before, I am determined to stay active in order to keep up with my 8-year-old son.

There are approximately 1.2 million people worldwide who wake up each day and face the challenges of living with a rare disease including the symptoms and side effects like overwhelming fatigue, trouble breathing, chest pain, headaches, joint pain, along with other physical and mental symptoms that patients can experience living with sarcoidosis.

This month, we're uniting together to help increase understanding of the disease, accelerate research, and support those living with the physical and mental effects sarcoidosis can have on patients all over the world.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to my FSR fundraising campaign, click DONATE above. No amount is too small. Thank you for your support.

Ora Riley
FSR Patient Advocate 💜
Community Outreach Leader