Great Turnout for the Lupus Walk this past Saturday!

For the past two weeks, I had a link to donate to the 2008 D.C. Walk for Lupus on my blog. The walk was this past Saturday, and it was a huge success! I wasn't available to walk myself, but I had many friends who participated and had a great time doing it.

Details of the walk were featured in this issue of the Lupus Foundation, Greater Washington Chapter Newsletter. I've also included a few more tidbits from the newsletter - as I thought you might be interested to see what's going on in the world of Lupus!

Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Washington Chapter Newsletter
April 22, 2008

Amazing Day for Walk for Lupus Now 2008!

We are excited to report that the 2nd-annual Walk for Lupus Now was a HUGE SUCCESS! We had lots of sunshine, an enthusiastic crowd, and a fantastic group of volunteers who helped everything run smoothly. We reached our goal of having over one thousand walkers and we only hope to keep growing next year. We are still entering the checks online, but we know that we brought in over $142,000! That is more than double what we raised for last year's walk and we could not be happier with the level of support we have received from thousands of you. And while we are excited to have that money in the bank, we are thankful to be able to give it back to lupus patients and their supporters in the form of patient symposia, support groups, health fairs, promotion of lupus research, and more. Thank you to everyone! We could not have done it without the wonderful support of our sponsors: Human Genome Sciences, Assurant Health, Datatel, Commerce Bank, The Washington Informer, and Balloon Crafts. We'd also like to send a special thanks to Sharon Essex, Carolyn Rumpel, Michael Harris, Icee Me Shaved Ice,Whole Foods, Au Bon Pain, Safeway, and CVS.

LFAGW Announces 13th-Annual Patient Symposium on June 7

Taking Charge and Feeling Better is our biggest education event of the year. We will return to George Washington University on June 7th from 9:30-1:00. The day will include a Newly Diagnosed Patient Workshop, a Spouse and Family Support Group, and sessions on dermatology, lupus nephritis, women's issues, and weight and nutrition. In addition, Arthur Weinstein, MD, will give an update on lupus research and clinical trials. You can register by sending an email to info@lupusgw.org. Give us the name, address, and email for all participants. We will send you a confirmation and updates on the program.

The symposium is provided as a service to lupus patients and their families; the costs are underwritten by our fundraisers such as the Walk for Lupus Now.

Get Your Tickets Now for an Evening of Dinner and Jazz

Call for your tickets to an Evening of Dinner and Jazz now! The venue needs a firm reservation by Wednesday for this fun event! It will take place on April 26th, hosted by Lenny McLean in support of LFAGW's mission. The night will feature Lenny's band the On Kee Jazz Band and will take place at Michael's Eighth Avenue Function Hall in Glen Burnie, MD. Dinner begins at 8:00 PM and music and dancing will continue until 1:00 AM. Tickets are $55 per person ($25 tax deductible) or $90 per couple. Your ticket includes a dinner buffet, soft drinks, ice-cold beer, live jazz and On Kee Jazz Band's latest CD release "Positivity." Proceeds from a raffle will benefit LFAGW. Contact Lenny McLean for tickets at 301-213-1056 or at onkee@comcast.net. Don't miss this great night!

Penny Fletcher
President and CEO
Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Washington Chapter

(202) 349-1167
Toll-free in DC, MD, VA, and WV (888) 349-1167