Altonia Fowler-Dugar was diagnosed in July 2011 with systemic lupus. She was 39 years old, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and a member of The Order of Eastern Star (OES), PHA. She is also the owner of Au’Naturale by Mz. Sixx, an all natural hair product company, and the CEO of The Lupie Chick Project, a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for Lupus along with bringing awareness through advocacy, and education.

Altonia’s determination not to let a chronic illness dictate her plans for the future; she refused to admit that her busy lifestyle and indomitable attitude were hindering her chances for a long, productive life. Dealing with chronic anemia, constant joint pain, migraines, a butterfly rash ( along with scarring) on her face, and depression it was becoming  painfully obvious that she was running her body into the ground; she realized she was fighting life, instead of living it. Thus, she made it her top priority to start living well, despite lupus. The steps she took to regain her health and wellness she'd lost are outlined in her blog, http://thelupiechick.blogspot.com. She also shared her journey, her pain, her fears, and her tears by utilizing social media outlets (facebook, Twitter, & You Tube) putting a "face" to a little known disease and have kept it “real, raw, & relevant".  Re-evaluating what’s really important, acknowledging stress triggers, and a new approach to diet and exercise, are just a few of the monumental, courageous steps she took to reach her goal of living well, despite lupus.

Altonia has always had a desire to unify all women and strengthen our bonds, which lead to her work in cultivating a sisterhood through the creation of Majestic Divas Social Club in 2009  (www.majesticdivas.org) with chapters in Laurel, MD, Virginia Beach, VA, and Fayetteville, NC. The formation of Mahogany Girls (Mentoring Program) in November 2011 was created to provide young girls with the tools they need to become empowered, inspired, and motivated to take this world by storm.  It’s her belief that we as women (old and young) must unite, in order to show others their potential for success and life enhancement.  She hopes to use (philanthropic) community involvement as the vehicle in which we will not only enhance life, but define sisterhood.

Assist Altonia, Majestic Divas Social Club, and her fellow Lupie Chicks raise critically needed funds and awareness for the unpredictable and life threatening disease. Every step taken and every dollar raised supports The Lupus Foundation of America mission of improving quality of life for all people affected by Lupus, and advancing the science and medicine of Lupus to find a cure.** No donation (amount) is too small or too large**

CLICK HERE to Join our team and help us raise money for lupus research and to provide patient services and support for lupus patients and their families in DC, Maryland and Virginia!
 

Registration is ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!!!!!