The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) will host its Fourth AnnualWalk for Lupus Now® in New York City during Lupus Awareness Month on Saturday,May 21, 2011, at the South Street Seaport. The Walk for Lupus Now is an opportunity for the lupus community to come together to raise funds for lupus research and education programs, while raising awareness of the disease in their local communities.
"My sister has lupus and the Lupus Foundation of America was there for my family when we needed answers and support," saidEduardo Xol,LFA's Walk for Lupus Now Grand Marshaland designer for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. "That's why I'mproud to be part of the LFA's Walk for Lupus Now, which brings families and friends together to raise awareness of this disease in their communities."
Sarah Katz also understands the impact of lupus on the family. She lost her brother to lupus in 2004. "I'm walking and raising money in memory of my brother, Michael Barlin, and to assist all those with lupus in New York," said Sara Katz.
"In just four years the New York City Walk has grown more than 100 percent in participants and revenue," said Fran Tsimoyianis, New York City Walk Chair. "Funds raised from the New York City Walk go directly back into the community, and are critical to helping us fund research, and providing local support programs and services in the greater New York area."
The LFA will host its next education program, "Lupus Care, Research and Treatments," at the Helen Mills Theater on Saturday, April 2, 2011. This is an opportunity for people living with lupus and their families to hear about the latest developments in lupus research and treatments from some of the leading lupus experts. To RSVP by e-mail to im@lupus.org, or call 202-349-1178.
Participants can register online for the Walk, or by calling 877-910-9779. For more information about Walk for Lupus Now, visit WalkForLupusNow.org.
About the LFA
The Lupus Foundation of America is the foremost national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus, and providing support, services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. The LFA and its national network of chapters, support groups, and local representatives conduct programs of research, education, and advocacy.
About Lupus
Lupus is an unpredictable and potentially fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system is out of balance, causing inflammation and tissue damage to any organ system in the body. The health effects of lupus include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and organ failure. An estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus. For more information, visit www.lupus.org.
About Walk for Lupus Now
The Lupus Foundation of America's Walk for Lupus Now brings together thousands of walkers, supporters, and volunteers in nearly 70 cities across the nation to raise urgently needed funds for life-saving research and support programs. It is also an opportunity for the lupus community to come together, to learn how to better live with lupus, and raise awareness of the disease in their local communities.
Contacts:
Lupus Foundation of America
Maggie Maloney, 202-212-6766
Maloney@lupus.org
or
Duane
Peters, 202-349-1155
peters@lupus.org