Providing Answers, Support and Hope in Georgia

Thirty-One Faces of Hope: Donna Ardolino

The lupus community includes people living with lupus, friends, family and supporters across Georgia. For Lupus Awareness Month, we would like to highlight some of our lupus heroes and champions. 

Donna Ardolino

I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1996, and, I still have no idea how Lupus will continue to affect me or what complications I might have on a day-to-day basis. 

Because Lupus changes all the time...my health changes all the time. I’m always waiting on a lab result, a referral to the next doctor, new test they want to run and a new medicine to try. 

There isn’t a stopping point at which to catch my breath.

My symptoms include rashes, painful mouth ulcers, fatigue, anemia, depression, photosensitivity, joint and muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, kidney problems, heart problems, headaches, migraines, weight gain and loss.

No two people with Lupus are alike...their journeys may differ greatly.

My journey with Lupus has been life changing and life altering. 

Regardless of what Lupus does to me in the future, I will continue to fight it forever.

- Donna Ardolino