Walk for Lupus Now™ at the Orange County Great Park

Great Park is location for 2009 Orange County Walk for Lupus Now™

May 26, 2009 – IRVINE, California – Walk for Lupus Now™ at the Orange County Great Park on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Walk for Lupus Now™, is the signature event of the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., an event to raise essential funds to save lives from lupus, an autoimmune disease which affects more than 1.5 million Americans. The event promotes physical activity and healthy living in a family friendly setting. This year, thousands of walkers will participate in more than 50 chapter events across the country. The Orange County Walk for Lupus Now™ hopes to raise $75,000. Registration and parking are free.

“The Lupus Foundation is to be commended for its outstanding work to combat this chronic life long disease,” said Larry Agran, Chair Orange County Great Park Corporation. “We welcome the Lupus Foundation and those who will walk for Lupus Now™ at the Great Park.”

More than 170,000 residents in California have a form of lupus. Lupus is an acute and chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually every organ system in the body.

“The Great Park is an ideal location for Walk for Lupus Now™,” said Mike Ellzey, Chief Executive Officer, Orange County Great Park Board Corporation. “The Great Park features wide open spaces that can accommodate large events while relieving traffic pressures and street closures that otherwise take place when large events are held elsewhere.”

Many Walk for Lupus Now™ participants have lupus, or are family, friends or caregivers to someone who has lupus. People often walk “in honor” of a friend or family member who has lupus or “in memory” of someone who lost his/her battle with lupus. They are joined by thousands of caring people who walk as individuals or as part of a team to raise funds to bring an end to this life-diminishing and life-threatening disease.

Check in at 9:00 AM, walk begins at 10:00 AM. Interested persons can sign up for Walk for Lupus Now™, by visiting their website at lupus.org.

Balloon flights will start at 9:00 AM, wind and weather permitting.

Press Contact:
Steve Larsen
Clerk of the Board / Interim PIO
Orange County Great Park Corporation
(949) 724-7414