Join TEAM JEAN and help us in raising money to find a cure for Lupus.
Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90% of people with lupus are women; lupus most often strikes during the childbearing years of 15-45. African Americans, Latin Americans, Asians and Native Americans are two to three times at greater risk than Caucasians. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body including the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.
Willie Colon’s mother Jean Davis Colon was diagnosed with lupus when he was six years old. She fought through all her aches and pains to make sure Willie and his siblings were taken care of and had everything they needed for school and all their extra curricular activities. Willie has been determined to find a cure for lupus to help his mom and all those who suffer from the disease. In 2013, Willie Colon partnered with the Alliance Lupus Research and started a grant in his mother’s name, the Jean Davis Research Grant. Along with his own money and donations during the NJ Walk for Lupus and the annual Golf Outing, Willie has helped to raise over $500,000 for lupus research.