THE 9TH ANNUAL FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories
Flight of the Butterflies, Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories is a lupus awareness campaign sharing stories of the brave lupus warriors. Many don’t understand lupus until they hear the walk of a warrior. Flight of the Butterflies, Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories is dedicated to sharing those stories in May for lupus awareness month.
Flight of the Butterfly Shante Byrd
In November of 2008, Shante Byrd was diagnosed with lupus (SLE) and end stage renal disease (kidney failure). The lupus was in a very aggressive flare and Shante’s kidneys were attacked. Shante had to start dialysis right away and was on dialysis for 7 ½ years. During this time, her faith remained strong and she lived in expectation every day. After being listed for a kidney transplant at Emory Transplant Center, on March 21, 2016, Shante underwent a successful kidney transplant.
Shante is 42 years old. A resident of Clayton County, GA for 16 years. She is the mother of two- a daughter (Dominique) and son (Leon). She’s an active church member at More Than Conquerors Church in Stonecrest, GA. She continues to give back to the lupus, kidney, and transplant community and is an active volunteer/advocate with multiple kidney-oriented organizations. She volunteers with the Lupus Foundation of Georgia and LifeLink of Georgia/Donate Life to encourage and support organ donation as she continuously shares her miraculous story in her community. Shante is a trained mentor with the Georgia Transplant Foundation and kidney coach with that American Kidney Fund. She’s an active member of Team Georgia and attended the Transplant Games of America in New Jersey in 2018, where she won a gold medal. Also, this year Shante was selected to be an honoree at the Tubman Museum in Macon, GA for African Americans in the Transplant Community, which is on display until 6/10/2021.
I am Lupus warrior, Kidney failure/ Dialysis survivor, and Transplant strong.
– Shante Byrd–
Lupus In Color is excited to present Shante Byrd’s story to the world. As a Lupus Warrior she is actively promoting lupus awareness and wearing the armor of strength in doing so.
Lupus In Color Salutes you Shante Byrd. YOU ARE BRAVE, COURAGEOUS, AMAZING and STRONG TO SHARE YOUR STORY.
YOUR BUTTERFLY WINGS ARE FLUTTERING, YOUR CHIN IS UP, YOUR ARMS ARE EXTENDED AND YOUR CHEST IS OUT! FLY ON BUTTERFLY!FLY ON!
PLEASE SHARE Shante Byrd’s FLIGHT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND START HER BUTTERFLY JOURNEY SPREADING LUPUS AWARENESS!
#LupusInColor #ButterfliesofHope #FlightoftheButterflies #Brave #Courageous #Strong #SpreadLupusAwareness #LupusWarriorStories