Kellie Martin Gives Advice for Families Dealing with Lupus

Actress Kellie Martin was only 19 when her sister Heather died from lupus. The "ER" star is advising women and their family members who suspect they may have symptoms of lupus to reach out for help.

Martin is known for the '90s family drama "Life Goes On," and had just got the role of medical student Lucy Knight on "ER" when her sister caught a virus. Martin said her sister had symptoms such as stiff joints, intense muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, fatigue and an inability to eat, in an interview with Lifescript.

Since her sister's death, Martin teamed up with the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association to help raise awareness about the symptoms of lupus. Martin said her 4-year-old, Maggie helps her cope with her grief.

"She's the most joyful person on the planet," Martin said. "She loves life, and I remember that life can be so good. I go back to the joy and being grateful for every day I have."

And since autoimmune diseases are hereditary - 75 percent affect females - Martin said she's "very careful" with Maggie's health, sleep and food.

"A lot of people think that having organic food is a trend," she told Lifescript, "but it's a way of life in our household."

Martin also said Maggie has had all of her vaccines because "they're amazingly important," but that she spaced them out so that she doesn't have to get several vaccines at once. Keeping her daughter stress free is also important to the actress.

"I don't overdo it with her," Martin said. "She goes to school every day, then when she comes home, she plays in our yard, and that's pretty much it. I try to keep things quiet for her."