She’s a fighter! In their years away from the spotlight, a lot has changed for Teen Mom 3 alum Briana DeJesus and her family — particularly, her mother, Roxanne. As viewers saw on MTV’s after show for the network’s July 3 special dedicated to Briana (and her anticipated return to the Teen Mom franchise on TM2), Roxanne revealed that she has been diagnosed with lupus.

Briana teamed up with Posh Kids and the Lupus Foundation of America to host the #WALKFORACAUSE Fashion Show at the Playstation Theater in NYC on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Speaking exclusively to In Touch, Briana and her sister, Brittany, revealed “It’s hard. It’s tough to see [our] mom struggle.” When asked what kind of advice they would give to others with loved ones battling lupus, the duo explained, “Stay strong and be supportive of your family.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZKeppEFRA0/

According to a press release, “The Lupus Foundation of America is the only national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world’s cruelest, most unpredictable, and devastating diseases while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. We envision a life free of lupus. The mission is to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus through programs of research, education, support, and advocacy.”

“The Lupus Foundation of America implements programs of research, education, and advocacy in order to help solve the cruel mystery of lupus. The Foundation’s officers, advisors, and staff set goals and agendas to meet the most urgent challenges in lupus research and treatment.”

Since going public with her lupus diagnosis, several fans have reached out to Roxanne via social media to share their well-wishes. “Briana I just heard your mother was diagnosed with Lupus on the Teen Mom special. I got diagnosed recently and I understand,” one fan wrote, while another shared, “Briana I didn’t know your mom has #Lupus. So do I. Praying for her. All us Lupies have to stay together!”

Despite her sickness, Roxanne has done her best to be there for Briana as she raises her daughters, Nova, 5 — whom she shares with ex Devoin Austin — and her newborn baby, Stella. The former 16 and Pregnant star welcomed her second child with on-and-off beau, Luis, on July 2. “My mom and my sister, Brittany, have been there for me every step of the way,” Briana has said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Aside from her mother’s health issues, Briana opened up to Us Weekly about joining TM2 and teased the kind of drama fans can expect to see this season. “There are a lot of tears, some laughter and you still see the story line from the original where my sister [Brittany] had the abortion and I didn’t,” she told the outlet last month. “Now you really see how our decisions affected us — the good and bad about both and the different paths we both took.”

Teen Mom 2 airs on MTV Mondays at 9 p.m. EST.

More from In Touch

What Does Javi Marroquin Do in the Air Force? Find Out

‘Teen Mom 2’ Fans Might Get to See Jenelle Evans Walk Down the Aisle on an Upcoming Episode

Jenelle Evans Opens up About Heroin Abuse: “I Almost Overdosed and Died”

Have a tip? Send it to us! Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com.