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Faces Behind the Fight

Founders, NEO, NOC

Deon Wallace-Jones, Founder, Director D.Y.M.E.S./S.E.A.L.S.

La'Sheldria was born in Bessemer, Al but raised in Mannheim Germany. She has spent nearly half of her life in Germany which she calls home. She currently resides in Litchfield Park, Az with her family. LaSheldria is a wife, mother, grandmother, and small business owner. She loves to travel and help empower women and be a big sister to children. La'Sheldria was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus in June 1996 six weeks after giving birth to her 2nd child. Although she has faced many obstacles, she has remained true and passionate about being an advocate and educator of lupus while continuing her fight for a cure. Two quotes she loves are: "She believed she could so she did" and "What is coming is better than what's gone".

Lavita Williams, Founder

Lavita Williams is disabled, but has her bachelors degree in Business administration from Robert Morris University in Waukegan IL, with a concentration in management, also a Certified Nurses Assistant Certificate from the College Of Lake County Grayslake, IL which she received July 1989. She’s married to her husband for 9 years and is a mother of two biological sons who are 26 and 24. LaVita also has two stepsons who are 18 and16, and an adopted daughter, that she adopted from birth, who is now 6yrs old. Lavita was diagnosed with (SLE) lupus December 2009, even though the doctors felt like she may have had it her whole life. From 2006, until present, she has had significant problems. Lavita worked since she was 14 but she lost her job, February 2010 due to this horrible disease. Lupus never comes alone, it can bring a few other diseases with it. She also suffers from Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s, ankylosing spondylitis, and P.O.T.S. Syndrome. Her fight is every day, she is not only a warrior, but a soldier, in this battle against Lupus. She will always fight, and stand, to be an advocate to help find a cure.

LaShon Gurrolla, Founder

LaShon Gurrola , Registered Nurse for the past 23 years. Graduated from College of Dupage with a ADN nursing degree and later attended Purdue University to obtain her BSN. She has clinical experience in transitional care management as RN Care Manager, and inpatient surgical nurse for 21 years. She was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) in March 2010. She is very involved and active in the Lupus Community in Chicago as an educator, mentor and advocate. She started a Lupus Support group in 2018 at Rush University Medical Center and serves as the facilitator to help others learn about the illness and how to teach lupus warriors how to advocate for themselves. She currently serves on the Associate Board of Lupus Society of Illinois. She is a 2020 Fellow of ADA 25 Advancing Leadership where she brings a voice to the disability community. She has dedicated herself to Lupus Advocacy, Awareness and Education and serves as the Advocacy & Education Chair of Gamma Pi Rho Lupus Sorority Inc. where overseeing events and fundraising is her main focus,along with offering meaningful educational opportunities for the community.

Tamika Marshall, Founder, Secretary, Assistant to Finances, Membership, Advocacy & Awareness, Education

Tamika Marshall has resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, since 2010. Born and raised in Pasadena, California, she is a proud mother of one daughter, three sons, and a grandson.
In 2006, following the premature birth of her third child, Tamika began experiencing signs and symptoms of lupus. Her diagnosis was later confirmed in 2009 after the birth of her youngest child. Since then, she has courageously navigated a complex health journey that includes lupus, two heart attacks, a stroke, ovarian, cervical (most recently, thyroid cancer), and numerous surgeries and hospitalizations.
After dedicating over fifteen years to the medical field, Tamika was forced to step away following her second heart attack. Her transition home was marked by a challenging season of depression and anxiety, which ultimately became a catalyst for transformation. Determined to reclaim purpose and joy, she founded Versatile Woman, where she launched her own skincare line and became a certified event management planner and travel reflexologist.
Today, Tamika is on a powerful journey of rediscovering self-love and living authentically, grounded in the belief that authenticity is non-negotiable. She values meaningful connections, cherishes time with those who truly see her worth, and treasures the strength and support found within sisterhood.

Latonia Williams, Founder

Latonia R. Williams lives in Durham, N.C. with her husband of 35 years. She has a 34 year old daughter, a 33 year old son and 3 grandkids. She was showing all the signs and symptoms of Lupus back in 1998. After going to the doctor for what she thought was a broken wrist, she was referred to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed her with SLE Lupus in 2003. She suffers from other illness, had to have two wrist fusions and see a variety of specialist to help her cope with her day to day living. She was able to work even with Lupus up until 2015 when it became hard to do her job, so she had to medically retired. At first it was hard to accept not being able to work and she was depressed and felt unworthy. She joined multiple organizations to keep her busy, but once she became an advocate for finding a cure for Lupus she truly accepted the fact that she has Lupus and have a purpose. She advocates, not only for herself but for everyone that has this terrible disease. She wants everyone to know we are in this together, "And it's ok to not be ok!"

Jade Caine, Founder, Director of Advocacy & Awareness, Founder Liaison

Jade was born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in an African-American Methodist Church home early on. At the age of 13, she was first diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis due to chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling of her limbs. Several months later, she was then confirmed to have Systemic Ethermyosis Lupus in January of 2001. She spent her teenage age years relatively isolated, trying to understand having a chronic illness at such a young age. She has had many trials due to Lupus and is always very determined to succeed any odds put in front of her. Soon after graduating high school, she continued her education, becoming Certified in A+ Computer repair, Cisco Networking, and Nursing Assisting, where she worked in Nursing for the next ten years. She has passionately advocated for Lupus for the past six years, starting in her hometown with the Lupus Detroit organization. In 2015, she relocated to Las Vegas, hoping to be more active in her healthcare. She was immediately welcomed to the Colors of Lupus Nevada non-profit organization with open arms. She currently serves as Administrative Director while continuing her education in Hospitality Management. An also works in Member Services and owns and operates Footprintz Creations, crafting unique home goods. She Is a proud mother of two children. She also enjoys planning, crafting, and cooking. Her goals include continuously doing her part in the local community, educating, advocating, and raising her voice nationally to be a part of the solution, striving to find a cure for Lupus while keeping faith that God will make a way for us all until there's a cure.

Autumn Austin, Founder

A resident of North Las Vegas, NV, Autumn Austin, completed her Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Business Management and Administration with a specialty in Marketing from University of Phoenix. A daily fight with Lupus coupled with her being a wife, mother of 7, grandmother of 4, working a full time job, holding the Executive Director position with Colors of Lupus Nevada (a nonprofit organization), and owning her own business is nothing short of amazing and makes her a “Woman of Worth”. Autumn was diagnosed with SLE on December 24, 2012, it was her gift from Santa. As a person diagnosed with Lupus, Autumn strives to bring Lupus to the forefront; trying to engage more on a personal level with the Lupus Community opposed to larger organizations. Autumn doesn’t look at Lupus as her curse but as her blessing as it allows her to help others through this difficult journey. Autumn fights everyday one day at a time!!

Patricia Dees, Madam President, Finance Chair, Co-Chair Events, Assistant Advocacy & Awareness, Co-Chair Sister Support

Madam President, Patricia Dees, a native of Saint Louis, Missouri was honored to become a member of Gamma Pi Rho Lupus Sorority, Inc. in Spring 2021 as part of "The Great Awakening". Patricia is a Lupus Advocate with 15 years of service which led her volunteer work with the Lupus Foundation of America-Heartland Chapter to receive volunteer of the year. Patricia looks forward to continuing to bring awareness and shine a light on the work of Gamma Pi Rho Lupus Sorority, Inc. as the new President.

Shalitha Johnson, Madam Vice-President, Director Membership/Mentorship, Co-Chair Events, Assistant Education

Madam Vice-President, Shalitha is a native of the South Suburban area of Chicago. She began her battle with Lupus at the early age of 11 years old. Twenty-Two years later she is still showing others that she Lives with Lupus but it does not control her life! Shalitha has a passion for helping others understand that healthy mental health is vital in ensuring a good quality of life. Against all the odds she has faced, she obtained her Certified Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Certification, Associate’s of Art in Education, Bachelor's of Art in Psychology and she is currently finishing her Master's of Science in Psychology. Shalitha not only battles Lupus but Sjorgrens and Rheumatoid Arthritis. She's learned through trial and error that the first step in treatment is advocating for yourself. She also serves on various committees throughout the organization.

Paula Garrett, Madam Parliamentarian, Co-Chair D.Y.M.E.S./S.E.A.L.S., Co-Chair Events, Assistant Paraphernalia

Madam Parliamentarian, Paula serves Gamma Pi Rho Lupus Sorority, Inc. as the advisor of the organization. She insures that rules and regulations are in order, securing a smooth running sorority. She was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. Her three greatest blessings came in the form of her amazing children, Michael, Brittanni, and Kyila-Starr. They are her pride and joy, along with her gorgeous grandbabies. She is a certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, and registered medical assistant. Paula’s love for helping others has allowed her to work as the Director of Life skills for an outpatient treatment center. She was diagnosed with lupus on February 2, 2001. Like many other Lupus warriors, she suffered many health crises, multiple surgeries, and various treatments to save her life and keep her healthy. Just recently, she suffered a series of mini-strokes brought on by a Lupus flare. The day-to-day challenges of managing SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) have kept her researching treatments, medications, and even naturopathic remedies. Fitness has been her savior. Becoming a Committed dance fitness instructor, along with weight training, has helped to channel the overwhelming frustrations of living with Lupus. Advocating is a priority for her as well. This is a journey she could not do alone. That’s why she is grateful for becoming a member of the sorority. It has been a life-changing experience. Having a sisterhood that understands and recognizes the race we run has made her smile many days. Awareness is wealth. She also serves on various committees throughout the organization.