WALK FOR LUPUS NOW
OCTOBER 23, 2011
I have been a member of the Lupus Foundation of America for approximately eleven years now and have participated in the annual walk for ten years. I've been a top fundraiser for every year! The Walk for Lupus Now has been scheduled for October 23, 2011 at Nomahegan Park in Cranford, NJ. Fundraising for the Lupus Foundation is especially important to me because my mom, Elaine, lost her battle to Lupus on June 16, 2009. Not only will I walk in the memory of my mom, I will walk for all my friends who have parents, family members, and friends with Lupus, as well as the millions of people affected by this life changing disease.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Normally the body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself. These antibodies -- called "auto-antibodies" (auto means 'self') -- cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body. Inflammation is considered the primary feature of lupus. Inflammation, which in Latin means "set on fire," is characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling and loss of function, either on the inside or on the outside of the body (or both). For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. Although epidemiological data on lupus is limited, studies suggest that more than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) estimates between 1.5 and 2 million Americans have a form of lupus, but the actual number may be higher. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women. Symptoms and diagnosis occur most often when women are in their child-bearing years, between the ages of 15 and 45. In the United States, lupus is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans than in Caucasians. (Sited by Lupus Foundation of America http://www.lupus.org )
Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support.