Millions of Americans live with the symptoms of lupus each and every day. But, the relatively low awareness for the disease can leave some people without a diagnosis for years. One Indiana high school student is doing her part to help those coping with the disease.

Mikayla Wireman and Mikaela Reed share more than a name. They are best friends and are now raising awareness for the same cause.

“I knew her mom and I knew the struggles,” Mikayla Wireman said. “So, the initial idea in my head was to do a Lupus walk.”

Reed's mother was diagnosed with Lupus in 2007. Emotions ran deep when her friend told her about the idea for the walk.

“I bawled when she told me she was going to do it,” Reed said. “My family didn’tt have that support because we didn’t know anyone else who had it.”

Lupus is an auto-immune disease that can leave those with this condition feeling weak and less able to fight off health problems.

One of Reed and Wireman's classmates recently found out that lupus does not discriminate against age.

“I’m sick all the time,” Taylor Peterson said. “I really don't have energy to do much. I miss school a lot because I’m sick or because really I am that tired and cant even function.”

Peterson knew more about Lupus after the last year's walk. She also knew she had someone to turn to.

“When Taylor came to my mom, it was touching that she felt like she could do that,” Reed said. “It puts it into perspective that kids at a younger age can have it.”

Now, preparations are in full swing for the second year of the walk.

Most of all, Wireman said she wants this walk to help build support for those living with lupus.

“From what I've discovered, people in our community have it and no one knew,” Wireman said. “It’s a hidden disease and people don’t know how serious it is. And they don’t give the sufferers the support they deserve.”

The walk is scheduled for October 22nd and will kick off at Bell Memorial Public Library (101 W. Main St. Mentone, Ind.). For more information email Wireman at dancer2mw@hotmail.com.