A ìWalk in the Parkî fundraiser to raise awareness for lupus will take place Saturday, May 1, at Longview Park in Meridian Ranch. The 3K check-in begins at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. The fee for adults is $35 and for youth (age 10-16) $20. There is no charge for participants under 10 years old.Refreshments and water will be provided, along with a goodie bag containing a disposable mask, a lupus awareness wrist band, hand sanitizer wipe, pencil, sticker, sucker and lupus awareness material. A raffle and silent auction (that includes homemade quilts and gift baskets and much more) and face painting and other activities will take place as well.For more information and advance registration, visit http://support.lupus.org/goto/Christine_Stearns-Houde and click on Join Christineís.All proceeds go to the Lupus Foundation of America.Lupus manifests itself as chronic inflammation that occurs when white blood cells produced to fight off infections do not retreat and then attack healthy tissues and organs. Lupus can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.Lupus affects 1.5 million Americans. Money from fundraisers goes to research, new treatments and awareness. There is no cure, but medical treatments can help to control the disease.
