In sharp contrast to last year’s soggy weekend of record breaking flooding, the 2009 Walk for Lupus Now Northwest Indiana event drew an estimated 500 supporters on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning for a walk around Lake George and through the quaint neighborhoods of Hobart. For the ninth year, participants supporting lupus patients gathered at Festival Park for a 5K/3.1 mile non-competitive walk to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter (LFA).
More than $35,000 was raised on September 12 by LFA supporters. The money raised will stay in Northwest Indiana to increase lupus awareness, maintain support groups, provide lupus information to newly diagnosed lupus patients and their families, educate the public and support lupus research.
Half of the amount raised was collected by 37 participating teams. The Simko Striders raised more than $4,000. The team walked in honor of Richard Simko, founding member of the LFA Chapter, who lost his 25 year battle with lupus. “The walk was important to the Simko family to honor Richard and all he meant to our family and to the LFA, Indiana Chapter,” said President and CEO, Phyllis Simko, wife of Richard.
Lupus patient, Christina Sandoval, and her family raised more than $2000 to support the LFA. “My parents and I did the walk last year and had a very small team. This year we wanted more friends and family to get involved,” said Sandoval. “I am a lupus patient and want to help with research and do anything to find a cure for this horrible disease.”
Crown Point High School student, Zoie Matthews, formed a team and raised nearly $1800 in honor of her mother, Heather Matthews, who lost her battle with lupus this year.
The Crown Point Key Club made the walk their September service project. Key Club member and Walk for Lupus Now team captain, Lindsey Wacnik said “It is an amazing experience to see all the people come together in support of one cause. In doing the walk, you will leave with the satisfaction that you have helped the Lupus Foundation get one step closer in achieving their goal.” The students raised money through bake sales and donations. 
Maryann Ferner of Alligator Construction was a corporate sponsor and team leader. “The Lupus Walk has always been important to us because a dear friend of ours had a family member with lupus. We support this cause every year because we hope that someday they will be able to find a definite cause and a cure for this disease,” said Ferner. “Our oldest daughter has an autoimmune disease and we believe that if you make people aware and understand this disease, hopefully this will help end, if not cure, this disease. Knowledge is the best power! My family truly had a wonderful time that beautiful sunny day. It gave us a sense of hope and compassion.”
Teams from businesses, schools, churches and civic organizations participated. Participants included lupus patients and their families, parents with young children in wagons and strollers, high school students, college fraternities, church youth groups and more. More than 300 walkers registered as part of a team.
“This year’s walk was a huge success. The number of people from the community that came to support our cause was as much a part of the event’s success as our record breaking fundraising amount,” said Susan Colby, event chairperson and lupus patient. “With the economy in its current state, we weren’t sure what to expect. We are extremely grateful for every dollar donated and for every walker that showed support for our lupus patients.”
Lupus patient, Diane Koritko, is currently participating in a clinical trial for a drug that may be the first new FDA approved medication for lupus in more than 50 years. She is thankful for all who are willing to learn about lupus and help raise awareness about the disease. “I hope to see this event just keep growing each year and breaking the prior year’s record. I hope more people will join us in our challenge to fight for a worthy cause,” she said.
“This was the first year I formed a team and the turn out was awesome,” said lupus patient, Megan German. “I didn't know I really had that much support behind me until the walk. We had a blast!” German’s team raised over $650 at the walk.
Registration entertainment included a performance by Wolfgang from Hobart High School. The group wowed the crowd by performing a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. Jo Jo the Clown raised $175 by accepting donations for face painting. Hot dogs, popcorn and drinks were provided for participants at the post-event picnic celebration.
Medical Specialists was the Gold Sponsor of this year’s event and distributed special gift bags to all lupus patients at the event. Media sponsors for the event include Lakeshore Public Radio and LAMAR. Walkers were excited to see a Walk for Lupus Now billboard along the walk route.
Approximately 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus. Based on 2006 census information, it is estimated that 34,187 of Indiana’s residents have lupus; including 2,671 residents in Lake County, 865 residents in Porter County and 597 residents in LaPorte County.
More than 5 million people worldwide struggle with the health consequences of lupus. Inflammation is considered the primary feature of lupus. Lupus is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease capable of damaging virtually any part of the body, including the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. In its most severe form, lupus can cause disfiguring rashes and scarring, multiple miscarriages, kidney, heart and lung failure, impaired neurological function, strokes, heart attacks and death. Despite its enormous public health implications, lupus remains a dangerously under-recognized and under-appreciated health issue. More than half of all people with lupus suffer four or more years and visit three or more doctors before being diagnosed with lupus. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases. There is an urgent need to educate patients and health care providers to achieve earlier and more accurate diagnoses. Improved management of lupus will reduce and prevent its adverse effects, particularly among those communities most severely affected. Nine out of ten people with lupus are women. Eighty percent of new lupus cases are diagnosed among women ages 15 to 44.
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus. Research, education, and patient services are at the heart of LFA's programs. The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter provides awareness and education for the signs and symptoms of lupus for early diagnosis and treatment. Volunteers from the chapter facilitate support group meetings in Lake and Porter Counties as well as Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Richmond and Evansville. Support group meetings are free and provide lupus education as well as peer support.
The chapter office, which serves the entire state, is located at 2642 Eleanor Street in Portage. For more information about the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter, call 800-948-8806 toll free or log on to www.lupusindiana.org.