Check Out the Walk for Lupus Now Events This Coming Weekend in New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Utah

As you've heard me say before, it's now Walk for Lupus Now season here at the Lupus Foundation of America. Monies raised from Walk for Lupus Now events support lupus research, lupus education programs, and patient and family support services.

Here is a listing of upcoming Walks, taking place this weekend, May 2-3.

• New York City, New York -- May 2, 2009
• Charlotte, North Carolina -- May 2, 2009
• Salt Lake City, Utah -- May 2, 2009
• Houston, Texas -- May 3, 2009

If you live in one of these areas, I certainly hope you will join us. Or if you have friends or family in one of those areas, please share this with them as well.

To see what other Walk for Lupus Now events are taking place near you, please visit http://www.lupus.org/walk.

If there is no Walk near you, you can still help the LFA by setting up your own fundraising page and participating in your own walk. For example, you could walk your local mall, hiking path or community park.

Until next time.

Find a Walk for Lupus Now Event Near You ... Here's What's Coming in April / May 2009

Spring has sprung (as they say), and you know what that means ... it's now Walk for Lupus Now season here at the Lupus Foundation of America. Monies raised from Walk for Lupus Now Walks will support lupus research, lupus education programs, and patient and family support services.

Here is a listing of upcoming Walks, taking place in April 2009.

Washington, DC -- April 18, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia -- April 25, 2009
Raleigh, North Carolina -- April 19, 2009
Charleston, South Carolina -- April 26, 2009
Dallas, Texas -- April 25, 2009

Here are our Walk for Lupus Now Walks in May 2009.

Hot Springs, Arkansas -- May 16, 2009
San Diego, California -- May 9, 2009
West Hartford, Connecticut -- May 31, 2009
Vernon Hills, Illinois -- May 16, 2009
Battle Creek, Michigan -- May 9, 2009
Piscataway, New Jersey -- May 17, 2009
New York City, New York -- May 2, 2009
Charlotte, North Carolina -- May 2, 2009
Columbus, Ohio -- May 9, 2009
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma -- May 16, 2009
Houston, Texas -- May 2, 2009
Salt Lake City, Utah -- May 2, 2009
Montpelier, Vermont -- May 17, 2009

To see what other Walk for Lupus Now Walks are taking place near you, please visit http://www.lupus.org/walk.

If there is no Walk near you, you can still help the LFA by setting up your own fundraising page and participating in your own walk. For example, you could walk your local mall, hiking path or community park.

New York City Walk for Lupus Now Event a Huge Success, Raises Awareness & Support for Local Programs

Morning everyone ...

Before I jump into lupus news, I wanted to quickly wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. I am Orlando-bound and will spend the next few days hanging with my nephews! I cannot wait, as I have learned some "knock knock" jokes to share with them.

And, to our friends from around the world who read this, have a great weekend.

Until next time, Wick

New York City Walk for Lupus Now Event a Huge Success, Raises Awareness & Support for Local Programs

NEW YORK, NY – Almost 1000 people living with lupus, their families, and supporters participated in the inaugural Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) Walk for Lupus Now® walk at Robert Wagner Park - Battery Park on Sunday, May 18. The NYC Walk for Lupus Now® was a huge success, and is part of a much larger national public awareness and fund-raising effort. Almost 60 Walk for Lupus Now® events will take place across the country in 2008, and are expected to raise $3 million.

Watch video highlights of the inaugural NYC Walk for Lupus Now.

LFA President and CEO Sandra C. Raymond encouraged and motivated the crowd by sharing the important work being done by the LFA, and described how the funds the walkers worked so hard to raise will be used to help people with lupus and their families living within the New York City metropolitan area, and how those funds will also support medical research on lupus.

Then, under a beautiful morning, participants began the walk, which gave them a breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty and took them on a scenic walk through Battery Park. People with lupus walked, holding beautiful butterflies, and also wore placards that indicated in whose honor they were walking.

There were numerous sponsors of the 2008 New York City Walk for Lupus Now®, including Carol's Daughter, an NYC-based hair and body care products company whose founder and CEO, Lisa Price, lost her mother to a lupus-like disorder. Carol’s Daughter is a year-long corporate partner of the Lupus Foundation of America, and is working to bring national attention and resources to fight lupus.

Photo: Team Captain Erin Murray shows support for a young friend living with lupus.