My best friend and I have been lucky in our lives, and we want to do something to give back to teens and people our age and let them know that there is hope. My story starts off in 2005 when I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. (SLE) I became very ill for a good portion of my senior year in high school, with this illness came hospitalization, depression, and loads of medicine. I gained weight, and eventually had to get chemotherapy for 13 months. This sudden illness took me by suprise, and at first I was very weak. I felt as if I had no reason to live. I often stayed sheltered inside my house, and I was very cranky. I could not complete a simple task, I lost all my motor skills, and I had gained a ton of weight. I felt ugly inside and out. After finishing chemotherapy I had plenty of time to look back on my life. I was lucky. I am lucky to have made it through chemotherapy. I am a survivor. After speaking to as many people as I could about my story, I felt as if it was not enough. Something was still missing and I wanted to do more. After discussing with my best friend my dreams of starting an organization to let people know there is hope, no matter what you're going through there is a brighter side if you just look deep in yourself and find it I was amazaed that she shared the same dreams. We spoke for hours about how we wanted to help change people lives, and I've realized it is my calling. This is what God put me through my own personal downfalls to do, help others. The organization Crystal (the best friend) and I are looking to start is called Free After The Fact. It is going to be an internet based organization where people can get on chatrooms and talk to peers about their problems, or e-mail them. We want to have a place where people can share their stories and talk to others. We want to promote the statement "Free After The Fact" as much as possible so even looking at a shirt with the phrase on it, makes people smile. Eventually we want to expand and start a fund and raise money to send teenagers to concerts, and shows, or meet and greets from their favorite musical artist. Anything that can shine some light on their situations. We want to speak out to people with substance abuse problems, illnesses, and even relief funds.