HOBART | More than 300 people participated and the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter, raised $25,000 at the seventh annual Lupus Walk for a Cure held this fall at Festival Park on the lakefront. The chapter raised $23,000 at the 2006 event, with 250 participants.

Proceeds from the walk will be used to increase lupus awareness, maintain local support groups, provide lupus information to newly diagnosed lupus patients and their families, educate the public and support lupus research. The walk is the Indiana Chapter's biggest event of the year.

"This year's event was the biggest and best walk that the chapter has experienced," said Phyllis Simko, executive director for the LFA, Indiana Chapter. "We had many individuals walk in support of family members and friends who have lupus. It makes quite an impression to see the number of people whose lives are affected by the disease. All of the volunteers, especially chairperson Susan Colby, should be very proud of their work."

Americall, a division of AGI-Teleperformance, was one of 16 teams to participate in the event. Fifteen employees walked in memory of employee Patrice Rauner, a lupus patient. "It has been fun remembering Patrice and collecting in her memory. The out pouring of generosity from so many who really can't afford to give has been amazing," said Kristal Slager of AGI-Teleperformance. The team raised $1,650 at the walk.

"The funds walkers raise will remain in Indiana and maintain the vital programs and services the LFA, Indiana Chapter offers free of charge," said Walk Chairperson and lupus patient Susan Colby. Ten percent of money raised will be sent to the national Lupus Foundation of America organization for treatment research.

Next year's Walk for Lupus Now will be held Sept 13 at Festival Park. For more information about the Lupus Walk for a Cure event, contact event coordinator Susan Colby at (219) 924-1910 or e-mail lupuswalk-07@comcast.net.

Lupus is a debilitating, chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and tissue damage to any organ system in the body. It can cause significant disability as well as death. Nine of ten people with lupus are females. Lupus strikes most often between the ages of 15 and 45.

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.

The chapter office, which serves the entire state, is located at 2642 Eleanor St. in Portage. For more information about the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter, call (866) 762-6575, toll free in Indiana, or visit www.lupusnwichapter.org.

- For The Times