Eduardo Xol, designer for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, rallied a crowd of more than 1000 at the Lupus Foundation of America's (LFA) inaugural Tampa Walk for Lupus Now® on Sunday, May15,2011, held at Lowry Park Zoo. Xol is the 2011 Walk for Lupus Now Grand Marshal, and joined Tampa residents to help raise awareness of lupus and support outreach and fundraising for research, education, and support programs through the Walk.
"My sister has lupus and the Lupus Foundation of America was there for my family when we needed answers and support," said Xol. "That's why I'm proud 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."
Jon Gruden, ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst, also attended the Walk with his wife and three sons. The Zoo was filled with people wearing the LFA color purple and waving colorful paper "butterflies of hope" above their heads. The event provided an amazing sense of community and hope for the future for those living with lupus. More than 50 people also volunteered their time to help the event run smoothly.
"Our first Walk in Tampa was a resounding success, illustrating the tremendous support that exists for the residents in Tampa affected by lupus," said Cindy Coney, Chair, LFA National Board of Directors and Tampa resident. "I know the Tampa Walk will only get bigger and better in the years to come, which will allow us to expand and strengthen our local services."
Tampa Walk participants raised more than $62,000 in donations, a total which is expected to increase as more donations are accepted online through the end of the year. To make a donation, visithttp://donate.lupus.org/tampa. All proceeds from the Walk will be used to further strengthen and expand the LFA's research, education, and support programs.
About Walk for Lupus Now
The LFA'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.
About Lupus
Lupus is an acute and chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system is out of balance, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ in the body. Lupus can be unpredictable and potentially fatal. An estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus. Its health effects include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, miscarriages, and organ failure.
About the LFA
The Lupus Foundation of America is the foremost national nonprofit health 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, branches, and support groups conduct programs of research, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.lupus.org.
Editor's note: Event photos are available for download.
Contacts:
Lupus Foundation of America
Maggie Maloney, 202-212-6766
Maloney@lupus.org
or
Joan
Pendleton, 202-689-5516
Pendleton@lupus.org