Ep 03: Emmitt Henderson III

In this episode of The Kidney Collective™, Tamara and Mike welcome Emmitt Henderson III, a passionate advocate for lupus awareness. Emmitt discusses his personal journey with lupus and kidney disease, the challenges he faced, and the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support. He dives into the creation of his nonprofit organization, Male Lupus Warriors, recounts his experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and emphasizes how critical it is to participate in clinical trials.

Born in the Philippines and raised in San Diego, Emmitt was diagnosed with lupus in 1995 after years of undiagnosed symptoms. Despite facing severe health challenges, including chemotherapy, a kidney transplant and organ failures, he stayed active in the automotive industry. Through Male Lupus Warriors, Emmitt raises awareness of lupus, particularly among men, and promotes a positive mindset, proper care and support. His work has earned him multiple honors, including the Gibson Lupus ARC King title in 2020 and the Advocacy Trailblazer Award from the State of Georgia in 2024.

To find out more about Emmitt's advocacy work and upcoming local events, follow along on Instagram at @malelupuswarrior1.

More resources:

• Mental health and kidney disease
• Clinical trials for kidney disease
• Looped in on Lupus
• Community Resources

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to The Kidney Collective
• 1:49 Emmitt's Passion for Kidney Disease Awareness and Advocacy
• 2:30 A History of Health Challenges and Emmitt's Lupus Diagnosis
• 5:21 Lupus's Effects on the Body and on Mental Health
• 14:15 Male Lupus Warriors' Creation and Responses Around It
• 15:44 Advice for Mental Health, Finding Support, and Maintaining a Positive Mindset
• 23:45 Emmitt's Experience Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
• 29:20 The Search for a Living Donor and Dispelling Myths
• 31:52 Participating in Clinical Trials
• 35:35 Recap of Emmitt's Conversation