Lupus Community Gathers for Annual Walk for Lupus Now at Miami’s Jungle Island September 15, 2012
Walk for Lupus Now Happening in Miami's Jungle Island on September 15, 2012. The Lupus Community Will Gather to Show Support for Lupus Patients and Their Family and Friends.
Miami, FL, September 15, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Approximately two thousand walkers and supporters will be lacing up and participating in the Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Chapter’s annual Walk for Lupus Now in Miami on September 15, 2012. Attendees will walk to show their support for those living with the disease and to help the Lupus Foundation of America find a cure for this life-threatening and life-altering disease that affects over 1.5 million Americans. Many of the walkers are men and women fighting the disease themselves.
Twenty-eight year old Jennifer Riccardi, who is a regular walk attendee, has been fighting the battle with Lupus since being diagnosed in 2003 at the age of nineteen. Her story includes everything from extreme fatigue and joint pain to undergoing chemotherapy and dialysis and being placed on a kidney transplant list. Despite all of the hurdles that Riccardi has faced, she refuses to give up. “I became more vocal about my disease in 2010 and began to attend Lupus events and walks. Not only were the walks a great way to raise awareness, but I was able to meet people who shared my struggle and also come in contact with the Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida Chapter.” Riccardi explained that her “prayers were answered” in 2011 when a cousin who was living out of state was a match for her kidney transplant. “I had my kidney transplant on November 14, 2011 – that was the best day of my life!” she added.
A purple parade of Lupus thrivers, family members, friends and spouses will be in attendance on September 15th to show their support for all of those who battle the disease daily. This year’s Miami Walk for Lupus Now will be taking place at Jungle Island, an 18-acre garden paradise filled with a variety of birds, primates, mammals, reptiles, fish and plant species. Those participating in this walk will have all-day access to Jungle Island after the walk is complete. Saturday’s walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and check in starts at 7:00 a.m.
In addition to a day filled with fun, food and friendship, attendees will also be entertained. Bilingual singer and entertainer Tony LeBron will kick-off the event with lively inspirational and Latin beat melodies.
To learn more about this year’s Walk for Lupus Now in Miami, please visit www.lupusfl.org. Visitors to the website will be able to find detailed information and also register their walk teams. To learn more by phone, please call: 561-374-7780.
About Lupus
More than 1.5 million Americans have some form of Lupus, an acute, chronic (lifelong) and often life-threatening autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ in the body. Its health effects include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, miscarriages and organ failure. 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. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) estimates that more than 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus.
About Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida Chapter
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to lupus. The LFA has a dual mission: to fund research to find the causes of and cure for lupus and provide support, services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. The Southeast Florida Chapter provides ongoing support, information and hope to the over 100,000 Floridians living with lupus and their loved ones. For more information, please contact the chapter at www.lupusfl.org, 855-905-8787 or info@lupusfl.org .
Twenty-eight year old Jennifer Riccardi, who is a regular walk attendee, has been fighting the battle with Lupus since being diagnosed in 2003 at the age of nineteen. Her story includes everything from extreme fatigue and joint pain to undergoing chemotherapy and dialysis and being placed on a kidney transplant list. Despite all of the hurdles that Riccardi has faced, she refuses to give up. “I became more vocal about my disease in 2010 and began to attend Lupus events and walks. Not only were the walks a great way to raise awareness, but I was able to meet people who shared my struggle and also come in contact with the Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida Chapter.” Riccardi explained that her “prayers were answered” in 2011 when a cousin who was living out of state was a match for her kidney transplant. “I had my kidney transplant on November 14, 2011 – that was the best day of my life!” she added.
A purple parade of Lupus thrivers, family members, friends and spouses will be in attendance on September 15th to show their support for all of those who battle the disease daily. This year’s Miami Walk for Lupus Now will be taking place at Jungle Island, an 18-acre garden paradise filled with a variety of birds, primates, mammals, reptiles, fish and plant species. Those participating in this walk will have all-day access to Jungle Island after the walk is complete. Saturday’s walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and check in starts at 7:00 a.m.
In addition to a day filled with fun, food and friendship, attendees will also be entertained. Bilingual singer and entertainer Tony LeBron will kick-off the event with lively inspirational and Latin beat melodies.
To learn more about this year’s Walk for Lupus Now in Miami, please visit www.lupusfl.org. Visitors to the website will be able to find detailed information and also register their walk teams. To learn more by phone, please call: 561-374-7780.
About Lupus
More than 1.5 million Americans have some form of Lupus, an acute, chronic (lifelong) and often life-threatening autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ in the body. Its health effects include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, miscarriages and organ failure. 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. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) estimates that more than 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus.
About Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida Chapter
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to lupus. The LFA has a dual mission: to fund research to find the causes of and cure for lupus and provide support, services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. The Southeast Florida Chapter provides ongoing support, information and hope to the over 100,000 Floridians living with lupus and their loved ones. For more information, please contact the chapter at www.lupusfl.org, 855-905-8787 or info@lupusfl.org .
Contact
Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Chapter
Marisa L Zeppieri
954-394-6312
www.Lupusfl.org
Amy Kelly CEO - 855-905-8787
Marisa L Zeppieri
954-394-6312
www.Lupusfl.org
Amy Kelly CEO - 855-905-8787
Contact
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