Stepping out for Colleen

Hey everyone

We are excited to participate in the Race this year. This team was created in loving memory of Colleen Power (nee Nicol). Here is a background of Lupus and Aunty Colleens journey with Lupus. 

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting many different body parts. There are various categories of the disease; some are severe, where lupus affects the body’s organs. Milder cases, which can affect the skin and other types, are drug-induced lupus caused by a reaction to medicines. 

Aunty Col was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), which impacted many of her body’s main organs, such as her heart, lungs, kidneys and blood cells. Essentially, Aunt’s body was fighting against itself to keep her health solid and alive. Aunt had been diagnosed and carried this condition for over 25 years. Although lupus had a profound impact on her body’s ability to function to its optimum. Aunty Col was a woman of devout strength, defiance, faith, hope and love. She never let this condition stop her from pursuing her dreams, professional and personal aspirations, raising a family, and being a wife, mum, Yungana, daughter, sister and aunt. Doctors had said it was unlikely she would ever play sports again, but she did. Aunty Col survived with the love and care of her mum, husband, children, grandchildren, sibling & their partners, nieces and nephews and under strict instructions by doctors and specialists. 

Aunt always hoped her ability to see beyond her health conditions to do the things you love, desire and enjoy would inspire and encourage others to do the same. There is no cure for lupus, and medicines manage the condition. We hope that raising money will create greater awareness about lupus, help get closer to a cure and support families who have loved ones with this condition.