GRAND RAPIDS WALK TO CURE LUPUS AT THE JOHN BALL ZOO
(Michigan – July 8, 2022) – The MI Lupus Foundation is holding an awareness walk in support of lupus patients and their families on Saturday, July 30th at the Pond Pavilion at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. The MI Foundation exists to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure. Spreading awareness about the physical, emotional, and financial impact of lupus helps provide support, resources and advocacy for people fighting this debilitating disease.
Registration for the walk is $20 per person (if registered by 7/15) and includes admission to the zoo. The walk starts at 10 am and the registration table opens at 9 am. Teams are encouraged to help raise additional funds in support of lupus awareness and research. Corporate and individual sponsorships for the event are also available.
Wayland resident Kimberly LaPanne is a lupus patient and advocate in the Grand Rapids area. “I walk for lupus awareness to meet other people going through the same daily struggle my son and I go through, in hopes to let even just one person out there know they aren't alone,” LaPanne said.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. It can affect any part of the body causing widespread pain and inflammation. People with lupus often suffer from joint pain, extreme fatigue and organ damage. Fundraising for lupus is necessary to drive research initiatives and provide support and services to those who need it. The physical, mental and social impacts of lupus can greatly affect quality of life and any amount of support can help. The MI Lupus Foundation can provide resources for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers.
For more information about lupus and the MI Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
About Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. It can affect any part of the body causing widespread pain and inflammation. Common symptoms include crippling fatigue, fever and joint pain. Lupus affects each person differently and may go into periods of flares and remissions. More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis combined. It is estimated that 1.5 million people in the United States suffer from this disease. Lupus primarily affects young women between the ages of 15-45 years old and occurs more frequently in women of African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent. There is currently no cure for lupus.
About the MI Lupus Foundation
The MI Lupus Foundation is a nonprofit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure. The foundation provides financial and informational resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The MI Lupus Foundation has been continually serving Michigan and northern Indiana since 1974 and is working to build a brighter future for all lupus patients and their families. For more information, visit http://milupus.org.
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