Our story began 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.
Last October, 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.
