Team

TEAM CAPTAIN, GLADYS

Gladys is a 24 year old teacher and graduate student living in Boston. She was diagnosed with SLE in December 2012. Upon receiving her diagnosis, she was determined to make lupus awareness a priority in her life. She was Team Captain for Lupie Ninjas in Tampa (2014), Purple Wolfpack in Boston (2014), and Purple is The New Black in Boston (2015). She also sits on the Boston walk planning committee as the Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator. Aside from fighting lupus, Gladys enjoys cooking (and eating), watching pug videos (but, really), and shopping.

 

TEAM MEMBER, KYLE

Kyle and Gladys met in April 2015. As the supportive and dutiful boyfriend he is, he committed to volunteering in the Boston walk in 2015 and joins PITNB as a team member this year. Kyle enjoys coaching basketball, exploring the city’s nightlife, and playing Xbox for hours while yelling at the TV.

 

 

TEAM MEMBER, NYANDAI

 Nyandai and G met in 2014 while serving in an elementary school with City Year Boston. Both tiny individuals in build, they connected over their big personalities and similar life experiences. Nyandai walked for Glady’s team last year and will be back this year for round two! Nyandai loves eating, singing, and discovering cool new places in Boston. She is excited to be a first-year teacher in the 2016-17 school year!

 

TEAM MEMBER, VANESSA

My Name is Vanessa Cardoza. I am 23 years old and currently at Massachusetts College of Art and Design pursing a BA in Graphic Design. I met Gladys this year through my boyfriend Zach. Zach and Gladys’ boyfriend Kyle have known each other since they were really young. Recently, I found out Gladys has lupus and what the disease was all about. I knew the only way I could help would be to join my new friend Gladys’ team and raise money to find a cure. We can do this! 

 

TEAM MEMBER, ZACH

Zach is a 26 year old Leased Housing Clerk for Quincy Housing Authority specializing in Section 8 Housing. Zach grew up in Brockton, MA with his best friend and teammate, Kyle. He currently resides in the Houghs Neck section of Quincy, MA. This is Zach’s first year participating in the Boston walk to fight lupus but he is honored to do so in the support of his friend and team captain Gladys! In his free time Zach enjoys reading The Economist, watching any sport on TV, binge watching Netflix shows and of course spending time with his girlfriend and teammate Vanessa!