LFAGW to Launch Fourth Annual Walk for Lupus on April 17

WASHINGTON, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and his daughter, Mary Moran, will help cut the ribbon at the 4th Annual Walk for Lupus Now! Washington on Sat., April 17. As an honorary Walk co-chair, Congressman Moran's participation supports Mary, 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.

The Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington Chapter (LFAGW) expects approximately 2,500 walkers with a donation goal of $225,000. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. between 13th and 12th Sts. There is no fee to walk. Registration: www.dclupuswalk.org.

"Donations from our D.C., Baltimore and Richmond Walks are critical to support our chapter's many free services for lupus patients," said Penny Fletcher, LFAGW's president and CEO. "The Walk proceeds help provide workshops, area support groups, an annual Symposium, teleconferences and our new Patient Navigator Program to offer patients specific advice and support in managing their lupus."

With a 2010 team goal of $20,000, Human Genome Sciences (HGS), Rockville, Md., expects to submit regulatory applications later this year for BENLYSTA, which has the potential to become the first drug approved for lupus in 50 years.  Team page: http://tiny.cc/41SF8

"After years of working on a treatment for lupus, we anticipate a very exciting year and look forward to walking with our friends and families to show our support," said Vivian Fernandez, senior manager, medical affairs. 

The Datatel, Inc. team aims to double this year's donations and walkers to $10,000 and 50 team members. Team page: http://tiny.cc/PI1aJ

"Datatel is working to double our commitment because we see the value that the chapter provides," said Datatel Chief Client Officer Liz Murphy, the team's captain and LFAGW Board Vice Chairman.  "It really is true that somebody you know has lupus," she said.

Walk Co-Chair Amy Gillard, leader of the Booz Allen Hamilton team, expects her team to increase to about 50 members this year in support of her husband, Tod, 31, who has lupus.  Team page: http://tiny.cc/JL6DB

"Tod was diagnosed with lupus after several months of appointments with various specialists," said Gillard. "We're walking to increase lupus awareness and support LFAGW's work for lupus patients and their families."

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

"I'm all about awareness," said Krista Blackburn, 23, who has lupus. Her Kickin' it for Krista 2010 team expects more than 100 walkers. Team Page: http://tiny.cc/f0ubo

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.

Web site: http://www.lupusgw.org

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

SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America Greater Washington Chapter