LFAGW Sets Nationwide Donation Record for D.C. Walk for Lupus

WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington Chapter (LFAGW) set a nationwide chapter record for its 4th Annual Walk for Lupus Now! at http://www.dclupuswalk.org Washington, raising more than $250,000 with 2,500 walkers and $270,000 expected by the end of May. Corporate sponsor Human Genome Sciences (HGS) also set a team record donating more than $33,000, its highest team record ever. In time for today's World Lupus Day, HGS also made a generous grant to LFAGW to fund its ongoing patient services.

"We're overwhelmed by the outstanding generosity and growing support from all of our patients, their families, friends and corporate teams," said Penny Fletcher, LFAGW's president and CEO. "HGS's additional grant has also made it possible for us to increase our free services and workshops this year," she said.  

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and his daughter, Mary Moran, helped cut the ribbon. Mary is one of 75,000+ people in the greater D.C. Metro area with lupus, a chronic, autoimmune disease with no known cure that can damage any part of the body including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and the brain.

"After years of working on a treatment for lupus, we anticipate a very exciting year," said Vivian Fernandez, HGS senior manager, medical affairs.

With the Walk funds raised, LFAGW will be able to add another free teleconference series in the fall in addition to its existing free teleconferences, support groups, in-person workshops, Annual Symposium, phone support at http://tiny.cc/xivy4 and new Patient Navigator program.

"It really is true that somebody you know has lupus," said Datatel Chief Client Officer Liz Murphy, the team's captain and LFAGW Board Vice Chairman.

Women of childbearing age have the highest risk for developing lupus, especially African American, Hispanic and Native American women.

Videos: D.C. Area Lupus Patients on Living with Lupus

About LFAGW Founded in 1974, the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington (LFAGW) Chapter, Inc. provides free, current information, education programs and outreach services to improve the quality of lives for people with lupus while also supporting research. Toll-free number in D.C., Md., Va. and W.Va.: 1-888-349-1167 or 202-349-1167. Web site: www.lupusgw.org.

SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington Chapter