August 2013 Alexis started experiencing numbness and tingling in her extremities, followed by extreme joint pain and fatigue and was diagnosed with Lupus SLE in November 2013. Shortly after the diagnosis, the disease spread to her kidneys and she underwent a kidney biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of Class 4 Lupus Nephritis. In the course of her treatment she developed PRES and was hospitalized at Primary Children’s in the PICU/ICU for 10 days and then was released on 10 medications, a special diet and many restrictions.

Alexis was born in May 2003 here in Utah into a large family. She is smart, loving, talented and adventurous. She loves swimming, bike riding and scuba diving! She has a great love of the theater and has landed roles in the community center’s rendition of “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream” as Dew Drop and in “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” as an Angel. She is very artistic and creative as well. Due to her illness, she has limited social interaction, must stay out of the sun and avoid stress as she is very susceptible to illness. Alexis is currently on eight medications, has home/hospital schooling, and sees a rheumatologist, a nephrologist and her pediatrician on a regular basis.