‘Do A Loop For Lupus’ walk

by Staff Pioneer Times
19 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — In honor of Lupus Awareness Month, Houlton will be the site of the inaugural “Do A Loop For Lupus” fundraising walk, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 11 a.m. The event is geared toward raising money for the Lupus Foundation of America.     Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.
In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system is unable to distinguish between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system begins attacking itself, causing inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body.
Close to two million Americans suffer from the disease, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. More than 90 percent of sufferers are women.
In concert with garnering funding to help the LFA conduct research to find a cure for the disease, the Houlton walk also will serve to raise awareness about lupus.
Registration for the walk begins at 10 a.m. in the park, and there is no cost for entering the event. Donations will be accepted at the time of the walk to benefit the LFA.
Checks may be made payable to the Lupus Foundation of America and can be submitted before or after the event.
The approximately 1.62 mile walk will begin in Riverfront Park, with walkers heading through Market Square, up Military Street, down Willard and Pleasant Streets and back to Riverfront Park.
The Lupus Foundation of America is a nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and a cure for lupus and providing support and services to those affected by the disease. Research, education, and patient services are at the center of the organization’s programs. Donations to the LFA supports life-saving research, education and advocacy initiatives to bring an end to the disease.
For more information about the inaugural “Do a Loop for Lupus” Fundraising Walk, contact Wendy Lynds at 538-9367 or e-mail wendylynds@hotmail.com
For more information about the LFA, log on to www.lupus.org.