13.1 miles, 8 friends, and the spirit of one person “who literally never quit”

If Dr. Monica Hamilton were here, her friends say she’d be shaking her head, laughing, and calling them crazy for running in a half marathon in her honor. They can almost hear her saying it. 

But from the moment their group of eight devoted friends lost Monica to lupus, they were determined to do something that mirrored the relentless perseverance she lived by.

Living life to the fullest 

From her freshman year at Andrews University, when she began a path toward dentistry, Monica was the center of her circle of close friends. Two of those, Krystal Uzuegbu and Lauren Goebel, described her as the common denominator – the connector. 

They lived in the dorm together, holding each other up and accountable in their challenging studies throughout the four years, building bonds that went far beyond their studies. Even though graduation scattered them across the country, Monica never let distance unravel their ties. 

During this time, Monica mostly kept quiet about her struggles with lupus – even if it meant flares sending her into extended care at the hospital or having her leg amputated due to nerve damage. No matter what she faced, Krystal and Lauren recall that Monica always made sure to be there for every friend’s special milestone occasions.

“Before even receiving a prosthesis, she still flew out to our friend’s wedding, getting around the dance floor on her scooter,” Lauren describes. “Because nothing stopped Monica from being fully present for one of us.” 

A fierce dreamer 

That fierce dedication for her friends was no different when it came to Monica pursuing her dream of becoming a dentist. Despite the obstacles, she graduated from dental school and completed her first residency. When lupus took away feeling in her right hand, Monica pivoted and completed a second residency to focus on treating facial pain. When lupus destroyed her kidneys, she resolutely incorporated daily dialysis sessions into her routine. 

She kept moving forward in her inimitable style, joking, loving, speaking her mind, passionate about everything, and above all, determined.  

At 30, Monica was ready to open her practice as a facial pain specialist. Her friends planned to gather to celebrate all her accomplishments – finishing dental school and her residencies, as well as the opening of her new dental practice, Serenity Dental Group. But before her dream could be realized, another lupus flare put her in the hospital. This time, they stood by her side as she passed away on July 13, 2025.

Lauren and Krystal take comfort in knowing that in Monica’s 30 years, “not a moment was wasted.” 

Carrying her legacy across every mile 

Like Monica, the women wasted no time. They agreed they needed to do something meaningful that would reflect how she lived. And, to do it together.

In a matter of weeks, the group approached the Lupus Research Alliance, looking to fund and fuel innovation on behalf of those impacted by the disease – so that a future of young women like Monica can live in a world without lupus. 

They are now some of the first runners of the Lupus Research Alliance’s expanded new program, running the January 2026 Life Time Miami Half Marathon. And, they have already raised over $10,000 for lupus research.  

“As we fundraise for lupus research dollars in her honor, it is gratifying to be educating people about the disease she fought against and why new treatments are so urgently needed,” Krystal said.  

Every step on their training journey connects them to the memory of Monica.

“I am running this marathon because I can,” Lauren said. “Sure, I may end up walking instead of running the 13 miles, but it’s in honor of somebody who literally never quit at anything.” 

Monica’s unwavering spirit and positivity are something that Krystal hopes will stick – within herself and others who learn from her. 

“Monica overcame every challenge in her way and always lived her best life to the fullest. I tell myself, you are capable of so much more than you think. 

Whatever your wildest dreams are, you can accomplish them.” 

If you are interested in learning more about Team Life Without Lupus, visit lupusresearch.org/marathons or contact Lana Munoz-Abrams at lmunoz@lupusresearch.org