Lap 'Round the Lake for Lupus: The Kassie Biglow Story

Good morning everyone.

I shared this touching story with you last year, and thought I'd share it again.

Mary Katherine “Kassie” Biglow, a young wife and mother, passed away from complications of lupus in October 2004, one week before her 31st birthday. Kassie was a close friend and personal care attendant for David Lytle, who had suffered a spinal cord injury.

Kassie's death spurred Mr. Lytle to action. He nominated the Lupus Foundation of America to receive proceeds from an eBay auction of the NBC TODAY Show's Green Room book. The Green Room book includes signatures, notes and doodles from celebrities, political figures, newsmakers and other prominent guests who appeared on the TODAY Show. The LFA was selected as the recipient charity and all proceeds from the auction went to support the LFA’s national lupus research program.

Sadly, David Lytle died unexpectedly in June 2007.

What is Lap 'Round the Lake for Lupus, you ask?

Lap 'Round the Lake for Lupus serves a two-fold purpose. It provides family and friends a way to honor the life of Kassie Biglow, and it does so in a location that was near and dear to her heart. Second, it shines a much needed light on the debilitating effects of lupus.

If you live in the Ohio area and are able to, join the 4th Annual Lap 'Round the Lake for Lupus, which will take place Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the Boat House on Silver Lake Blvd., in Silver Lake Village, Ohio. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk / run begins at 9 a.m.

To pre-register for the event, contact Joe McMullin Sr., Kassie's father, by sending an email to jmcmullin@neo.rr.com.

Joe McMullin Jr., Kassie's brother, has created a fund-raising page. If you'd like to make a donation to Kassie's walk, you can do so here.

To date, more than $300,000 has been raised for lupus in Kassie's memory. These funds support research grants that have been awarded to investigators at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the Yale University School of Medicine, and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Until next time,

Wick