“Why I Give to the LRI”

The LRI only works because of the contributions it gets, large and small, from donors around the country and the world. In this ongoing column, we get glimpses of this committed community.

Jose and Tania Fano, Independent Construction Managers, Miami area

Jose Fano: “For the longest time, I didn’t know I had lupus. I do a lot of fishing here in Miami, and for years I thought the sun was causing these little red spots on my arms and hands. But I also knew that something more was happening-that something was really wrong.

I’m going to be 58 this year, and four or five years ago my dermatologist finally insisted that I get blood tests. Well, I’ve never really been one for doctors, but I listened. The tests showed that I had antiphospholipid antibodies, and that my blood cell counts were low.

I went to see Dr. Yvonne Sherrer, a rheumatologist in Ft. Lauderdale. She was absolutely fantastic. But she also said to me, ‘What you have is bad. Get a second opinion.’ Dr. Sherrer helped me arrange a visit with Dr. Michael Lockshin at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital. I’ve been seeing Dr. Lockshin and Dr. Sherrer ever since.

I know I am very lucky. My lupus is quiet now. But dealing with it and sitting in the doctor’s office in New York, I see people who are not as lucky, and who really need help. I asked about places that were doing something about lupus and Dr. Lockshin told us about the work of the LRI.

Luckily, my wife and I can help, and we give regularly to the LRI. We also try to do what we can here in Miami. My friends know that I am not a great promoter of myself. I’d rather just give and not ask.

It’s always a struggle, asking others to give. Not everybody is willing or able to give. But it’s also important just to talk about the disease. It bothers me a lot that we don't think of lupus as a severe disease, and therefore it isn't in the public eye like some other sicknesses are.

When we do talk about lupus, more people are aware and know that this horrible disease is out there. We've even made interesting connections to other people. I remember a few years ago, a friend of mine didn’t know I had lupus until we talked to him about giving to the LRI. Well, it turns out his sister had died of complications due to lupus. It's all around us.”

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