When people think about fundraising, they often wonder: Can one person really make a difference?
Alex Moy’s story answers that question with a resounding yes.
Diagnosed with lupus at age 11, Alex transformed her gratitude for the care she received into a powerful force for change. What began as a personal commitment to give back has grown into Alex’s Superheroes, a team of more than 50 family members and friends united by one goal: advancing lupus research.
Year after year,
Alex brings her community together for the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) Global Walk with Us to Cure Lupus. Through determination, creativity, and a willingness to ask others to join her mission, over the years she has raised nearly $200,000 to help fuel lifesaving research.
Most inspiring of all, Alex proves that you don’t need professional fundraising experience to create meaningful impact. Sometimes all it takes is one person to share their story, rally others around a cause they believe in, and keep showing up year after year.
An easy way to get involved is by enlisting friends and family to walk together as a team in support of lupus research anywhere, anytime, or by gathering everyone to meet during the Global Walk with Us to Cure Lupus Saturday, October 24. Your group can join in the celebration by tuning in to our Instagram Livestream broadcast from the in-person Walk in Manhattan Saturday, October 24 at 9:30 AM ET.
Read on to learn how Alex built a team of supporters, inspired others to give, and turned her experience with lupus into hope for countless people living with the disease.
Alex, what is your connection to lupus?
I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 11 years old and have been living with the disease for the past 24 years. I always knew I wanted to give back to the medical community after the wonderful care I received as a child through diagnosis and treatment. I currently work as a speech-language pathologist in a medical setting working with adult and pediatric populations.
What drew you to the Lupus Research Alliance?
I began to support the Lupus Research Alliance Global Walk with Us to Cure Lupus because 100% of proceeds go to support research programs. It was important to me to be able to tell my fundraisers how their donations were directly impacting lupus research, as my team raises a large amount of money.
How will you participate in the Global Walk this year?
About three years ago I started to rent a shelter at a local park and gather my team there for Walk day. I walk with my team, Alex’s Superheroes, a group of 50+ people made up of family, family friends, and friends from high school, college and work. And it gets bigger every year, especially through everyone’s connections on social media.
Why is the Global Walk a great way for people to get involved with the Lupus Research Alliance?
The Global Walk really allows people to participate from anywhere in the world – at any time. Over the years, I’ve had friends and family move away and no longer be able to participate in person. The Global Walk has allowed participation beyond in person and a time when we can all be walking together wherever we are in the world.
How can others get involved?
I encourage others to join the Global Walk movement – the toolkit from the LRA is a great help. You can walk the day of the Global Walk or be part of the movement and walk whenever and wherever you wish to fundraise for research. LRA resources also offer a great starting point to turn other fundraising ideas into a successful Do-it-Yourself (DIY) event.
What techniques have you used to fundraise?
I primarily use email and posts on my social media to fundraise. As soon as I know the Walk date each year, I create my fundraising page immediately and send a save the date email to walkers who have participated in the past. Emails will include a link directly to my fundraising page. I will usually send follow up emails once a month and then weekly throughout the last month leading up to the Walk.
I have also created my own fundraising flyers to post in the community. This year I am giving this flyer to my fundraisers to post in their communities and their workplaces to boost fundraising further.
Last year, I partnered with a friend who started a small printing business. Walkers could order printed photo magnets. She then donated a portion of her proceeds to the Lupus Research Alliance.
To what do you attribute your success?
My community and my persistence. The people who have stood beside me throughout my lupus journey understand firsthand how this disease can affect every aspect of life, and their generosity, encouragement, and willingness to spread awareness have allowed our fundraising efforts to grow year after year.
Persistence is equally important. Fundraising season often feels like a part-time job between organizing events, sending emails, posting on social media, and staying connected with supporters. But every conversation, every donation, and every person who joins our team brings us one step closer to better treatments for people living with lupus. That’s what keeps me motivated. Since my diagnosis, these collective efforts have raised nearly $200,000 for lupus research, a milestone that shows what’s possible when a community comes together around a cause that matters.
What’s bringing you hope?
The progress we’re seeing in lupus research gives me tremendous hope. Every new discovery represents another step toward better treatments and, one day, a cure. Knowing that our fundraising helps make that progress possible reminds me that every dollar raised and every person who joins this effort truly matters. The future for people living with lupus is brighter because of the research being funded today.