The mission of Ginger's Tomorrow is to promote and support education and research for not only a treatment, but more importantly, a cure for Lupus.

About Ginger's Tomorrow Foundation for Lupus Research
In 2004 we established Ginger's Tomorrow to honor our dear friend Ginger's memory by promoting education and supporting research that will find a cure for lupus.  We are pleased to report that with the help of Ginger's family, friends, and those touched by her story, we have raised over $75,000 to benefit lupus research and education.

Research

Education & Awareness

Our Story
In the fall of 1988 ten girls arrived at the University of Kansas and became lifelong friends. Over 15 years,  our lives evolved while we followed and supported each other through careers, weddings and babies. In our circle, we considered Ginger our shining sun - the one we depended on to always see the bright side and bring laughter to any situation. 

In the spring of 1997, at the age of 26, Ginger was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which then developed into lupus. We learned that lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to become overactive, creating antibodies that attack healthy tissues in the body including the skin, kidneys, lungs, heart and brain.  In Ginger's case, it was Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, the most severe form of lupus. True to character, Ginger remained ever positive, optimistic and, of course, humorous. During the long search for a successful treatment, a transplant of her own stem cells - an experimental treatment hoped to regenerate her immune system - became the last option. Although doctors were cautiously optimistic of its success, Ginger refused to believe in anything less and set her sights on the promise of tomorrow's treatments. 

In October 2003, while recovering from the third transplant - which showed signs of success - Ginger lost her battle to an unrelated brain hemorrhage.  In her memory as daughter, wife and friend to all, we established Ginger's Tomorrow to promote education, support and research for not only a treatment, but more importantly, a cure for lupus.

About Ginger Launey DeSalvo