Take a walk on the wild side in support of Lupus and creating awareness for this disease affecting more than 1.5 million Americans and 5 million worldwide.
Saturday, September 24, 8:30 am (check-in at 7:00 am)
Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
Miami, FL 33132
Registration and More Info

Almost 1,000 South Floridians are talking a walk on the wild side in the annual Miami Walk for Lupus Now event to celebrate the first new treatment option for lupus patients in 52 years, Benlysta, which was approved this year. The Walk kicks off at a unique venue, Jungle Island, on Saturday, September 24, 2011, and gives walkers the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a cure while enjoying all the zoo has to offer including an interactive walk alongside wildlife and the beautiful bay view.

“Many people are still unaware of the magnitude of this disease and how devastating it can be to both the individual and their family,” stated Amy Kelly-Yalden, Chief Executive Officer for the Southeast Chapter. “Walk For Lupus Now is an opportunity to unite the lupus community, offer hope and raise funds to help those living with lupus while we support important research to find a cure, and to elevate the profile of this life-altering and prevalent disease.”

With hopes of topping last year’s goal of $25,000, walk proceeds will also support the Lupus Foundation of America Southeast Florida Chapter’s many free services for the over 100,000 people in Florida living with lupus. These services include educational programs, support groups, information and personalized help in English, Spanish and Creole.

Lupus is one of the nation’s least recognized major diseases and there is no cure. It is a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disorder that affects more than 1.5 million Americans. In lupus, the body’s immune system forms antibodies that can attack virtually any healthy organ or tissue, from the kidneys to the brain, heart, lungs, skin, joints and blood. Ninety percent of the people with lupus are women and it is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans and Asians.

•Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can damage any organ in the body and can cause life-threatening consequences.
•1 in 185 Americans are living with lupus.
•Someone in the US is being diagnosed with lupus every 30 minutes.
•90% of the people who develop lupus are females. Males can also develop lupus and their disease can be more severe in some organs.
•African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinas, Asians and Native Americans are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians; however, lupus affects people of all races and ethnicities.

The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. is the foremost nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus. The Southeast Florida Chapter provides information, educational programs, support groups and personalized help to the over 100,000 people living with lupus in Florida and their loved ones. The Chapter also supports research and promotes awareness through education and advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.lupusfl.org, call 561-279-8606 or email info@lupusfl.org