Shannon Boxx Competing for Gold Medal With Lupus

Shannon Boxx is a midfielder on the U.S. women's soccer team which will be competing in the 2012 London Olympics. Boxx will be trying to snag her third straight Olympic gold medal.

I find the backstories of all of the athletes to be extraordinary. Olympic athletes are determined, driven, tough, competitive, and inspirational. Boxx's story goes one step further. She competes while living with lupus.

According to USA Today, Boxx was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome in 2002. Sjogren's syndrome, you may recall, is the same condition that tennis great Venus Williams was diagnosed with in August of last year. When Boxx was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, she was informed that she had an increased risk of developing other autoimmune conditions too. And she did. In 2007, Boxx was diagnosed with lupus. So far, her lupus is reportedly mild and she has managed the condition with medication and by making some adjustments to her schedule. Even so, in the past 5 years, Boxx has started almost every game for the national team. As you watch Olympic coverage, remember her name -- Shannon Boxx. Go Shannon! Bring home the gold!

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• Test Your Knowledge - Lupus

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