New Treatment Gets Lupus Patient Back in the Saddle

Within two weeks, Kammi Short gained 35 pounds, her body was swollen, a rash appeared on her face and she couldn’t find out what was wrong. After three days of testing, on her 24th birthday, it was discovered she had lupus. Upon diagnosis, doctors at Virginia Mason reported that she was a day away from kidney failure and a lifetime of dialysis. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body — skin, joints and organs. Kammi’s lupus is characterized by inflammation of the joints, swelling and fatigue. “The worst part is not knowing one day to the next how I’ll feel,” she says. “I’ll be 100 percent going to bed and in the morning, I won’t be able to get up; my joints are so sore.”

Kammi is now participating in a Benaroya Research Institute clinical trial of a drug that may reduce the symptoms of inflammation in lupus with fewer side effects that other treatements. She is responding well to the treatment. Kammi works at a child care center and loves working with horses, taking part in barrel races and other events. “What I do requires a lot of energy and right now I’m feeling great. I hope this trial can be part of the solution for lupus.”

On behalf of Kammi and all the other individuals suffering with lupus, thank you for donating to Benaroya Research Institute. Lupus is a complex disease, but our scientists are working hard to find new treatments and therapies for lupus and other autoimmune diseases.