The New Jersey Walk with Us to Cure Lupus is hosting a 5K (3.1 mile) walk on Saturday, May 17 at MetLife Stadium Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in conjunction with the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) and marking May as Lupus Awareness Month.
A chronic autoimmune disease affecting millions of people worldwide, Lupus primarily affects women and particularly women of color, LRA said in a statement. Registration opens at 9 a.m.; the walk starts at 10:30 a.m.
“When the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus program first began, it set forth a path toward realizing our vision for a world free of lupus,” said Albert T. Roy, President and CEO of the Lupus Research Alliance, the world largest private funder of lupus research in the world.
“With promising new treatments on the horizon, hope is stronger than ever. But to meet the needs of each person living with a disease that affects everyone differently, more targeted treatments are critically needed, underscoring the importance of funding innovative research. Working alongside the dedicated lupus community, including those who support our Walks, we strive to reach the ultimate goal of a cure,” Roy added.
The fundraiser includes light refreshments, photo booth, Kids Zone, inspirational speakers, and other fun. There will also be opportunities to take photos with New York Jets players. The public is invited to register as individuals or teams; Advance Registration is open now and available through Walk Day.
Now in its 22nd year, the New Jersey Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event provides an opportunity for people with lupus and their families and friends to form fundraising teams and connect with others in the community who are passionate about finding a cure for this debilitating autoimmune disease. The event also fundraises for the research that the LRA supports to improve treatment and ultimately find a cure.
Featured speakers at this year’s Walk with Us to Cure Lupus include 18-year-old Miah Andrade who has had lupus since childhood and her mom, the highly committed lupus advocate Elizabeth SantaCruz. Having been misdiagnosed for two years, Miah hopes sharing her story at the Walk will help other kids and their parents to know the symptoms of lupus to look for and how to face its diagnosis with a positive attitude.
“If you are too tired to wake up for school, it might not just be because you stayed up late studying,” says Miah. “If your joints hurt when you play sports, it might not just be growing pains. Tell the doctor because these symptoms could mean you have lupus.”
The New Jersey Walk is part of a nationwide program that started over 20 years ago and has now raised more than $45 million for lupus research. Because the LRA’s Board of Directors covers all administrative and fundraising costs, every dollar goes directly to support lupus research programs. Register on the NJ Walk Page or email Lisa Champion at lchampion@lupusresearch.org for more information.
To learn more about lupus and the Lupus Research Alliance, visit LupusResearch.org and subscribe to receive e-newsletters.
About Lupus
Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system, which normally protects against foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, begins to attack its own healthy cells and tissues.
The autoimmune disease affects millions of people worldwide, with 90% being women and most often diagnosed between the ages of 15-45. Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander people are disproportionately affected by lupus and more likely to experience severe lupus symptoms.
About the Lupus Research Alliance
The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-governmental, non-profit funder of lupus research worldwide. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering diverse scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and, ultimately, a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs.
About Lupus Therapeutics
Lupus Therapeutics, the clinical research affiliate of the Lupus Research Alliance, aims to accelerate the development of curative treatments for all patients living with lupus. Lupus Therapeutics collaborates with premier research institutions, biopharmaceutical partners, and those living with lupus through the unprecedented Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN) to drive rapid and meaningful progress in treatment development. The organization elevates the patient voice, engages community stakeholders, and strives for representation of the diverse lupus community in the clinical research process with the most innovative and renowned experts throughout North America. Visit LupusTherapeutics.org for more information.