Monique Gore-Massy: A personal journey to Lemonade Maker

It’s been more than 10 years since Monique Gore-Massy heard the three words that changed the trajectory of her life, “You have lupus.”  Since then, Monique has become too familiar with the inevitable hospital stays and the multiple, often confusing, health issues that have included among other things, disability, blindness, gastrointestinal abnormalities, tumors, vasculitis, pericarditis, and lupus nephritis.

You would never know Monique was a newlywed, forced to leave her budding career, and became mentally, socially, and financially challenged, all while fighting for her life. “Lupus turned my life upside down, but most people would never know it by looking at me. And because people with lupus often don’t look sick, it can make it hard for others to understand  the absolute devastation this disease can have on a person’s life.”

"A lot of times people are surprised by the support they will get if they just take that first step and reach out.”

Monique’s journey to “Lemonade Maker” began in 2011 when she was introduced to the Lupus Foundation of America through her local Walk to End Lupus Now® event in New York City.  “Participating in the Walk helped me find my bigger purpose. I realized that life will hand you lemons, and we have to choose to turn into something positive, and that’s ultimately what drove me to get involved and start my team the “Lemonade Makers.” It empowers me to come back to the Walk every year to raise critical funds for lupus research and support programs.”
 

Since Monique participated in her first walk back in 2011, she has joined the New York City walk committee and takes an active role in planning the event every year. “For me this event is a family affair, and every year I am so grateful to the support of my husband Alvin and so many others who continue to show up and donate. It’s taught me not to be afraid to ask, I think a lot of times people are surprised by the support they will get if they just take that first step and reach out.”

She has also become a passionate advocate for lupus awareness, having participated in numerous media interviews and public awareness campaigns. She is a committed and passionate volunteer serving as a community ambassador, program and panel facilitator, participating on local and international committees, and advocating on a local and national level. In 2018, Monique was honored to receive the Lupus Foundation of America’s “Advocate of the Year” award.

Monique has made it her mission to encourage others to activate their own inner lemonade maker, and has only begun to scratch the surface of her new found confidence and purpose.