By Amanda Greene, www.lalupuslady.com

Amanda Greene is finding the joys of Lupus. She was diagnosed with Lupus and APS at 15 years old. As "LA Lupus Lady" she is an online advocate for Lupus Research and Wellness. Amanda's flair for connecting using Social Media and passion for sharing made her transition to brand ambassador a natural one. Find Amanda online at www.lalupuslady.com or tweeting (too much!) @LAlupusLady.

Happy GLAM, Savvy Aunties! May is Global Lupus Awareness Month (GLAM). As a Savvy Auntie by relation and by choice, I love it when the tables turn and my nieces and nephews support and encourage me. I go all out for GLAM. My new purple cape debuted in Hollywood at the #LHandSign Lupus Awareness Flash Mob Freeze. It was my nephew (by choice), Ben, who helped me by practicing different superhero poses until the “L” was just right. Ben also looks out for me, making sure I sit in the shade and wear a big hat and sunscreen to his Little League games.

This year, I am flying 3,000 miles to participate in the 2013 New Jersey Walk with Us to Cure Lupus Walkathon, a national event that changes lives and brings people together in the quest to end the suffering caused by lupus. It doesn’t hurt that I’ll be walking with my niece (who lives in New Jersey) again. Last year, while walking with me for the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR), Rachel learned about how I was diagnosed with lupus. (It was after more than 10 mono tests…)

An estimated 1.5 million Americans suffer from lupus, which makes this autoimmune disease more common than leukemia, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis. The exact cause of lupus is unknown, and there is no cure.

Rachel knows exactly why I fly out to the New Jersey “Walk.” It is because lupus research is important—and it doesn’t hurt that Rex Ryan (the coach, we named our cat after!) and members of the New York Jets will be on the field supporting my team.

With my nephew helping me get my poses right and my niece walking alongside me for the ALR, I’ve got all the support and encouragement I need for this year’s walk!

I wish you all a Happy GLAM!

If you want to learn more about lupus, contact the Alliance for Lupus Research at lupusresearch.org.

Photo: Courtesy of Amanda Greene
Published: May 7, 2013