American Cyclist is Chasing More Than Gold – She’s Chasing a Cure for Lupus

One of the most amazing things about the Olympics is that, somehow, in some way, there’s a story that touches everyone’s life. For those who have lupus, it’s the story of Dr. Christine Thorburn.

Thorburn, an Iowa native, is a rheumatologist who is studying ways to identify the genetic risks of contracting lupus in her spare time.

The question is, what spare time? She’s also a national cycling champion and a world champion cyclist and medalist. And to top it off, she’s also competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, in both the women’s trial and women’s road race.

The 2008 Olympics will be the last for Thorburn, who’s giving it one last try. She competed in the 2004 Olympics and missed medaling by one place.

But medicine – and research – is her priority. So though she will give her all to win a medal, Thorburn will give so much more when she returns to the lab after the games.