Meet Manaal Khalid
I'm Manaal Khalid, a high school senior and the founder of the Autoimmune Awareness Network. In 2024, I spent over a month in the hospital before being diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Even after I came home, fatigue made it difficult to get back to school and feel like myself again.
That experience made me want to understand more about the immune system and why so many people, especially women, struggle to have their symptoms understood. I started this network because I know what it feels like to have questions about your health and not know where to turn. I'm still learning, and this is my way of sharing what I find and making room for other people's stories.
One area especially close to my heart is women's health. Since autoimmune diseases affect women at significantly higher rates, I am passionate about raising awareness of the unique challenges women face and helping them feel seen, heard, and empowered in their healthcare journeys.
AN is more than just a website—it's a growing community built on curiosity, compassion, and the belief that knowledge can make a difference. Thank you for being here, and I hope you enjoy exploring everything this platform has to offer!
What is Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease?
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, usually self-limiting inflammation of the lymph nodes — most often in the neck — that typically affects young women and is easily mistaken for lupus or lymphoma. Most people recover within months, sometimes with supportive care or corticosteroids, but a small share later develop lupus, so follow-up matters. It was first described in Japan and is increasingly reported in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia.