May, 2011

Walk for Lupus in Bolton on Sunday, May 29th

Heidi Nielson, Walk for Lupus Bolton-Caledon Co-ordinator, is busy promoting this year's walk. It's the fifth year of the walk in Bolton and to-date thousands of dollars have been raised; $7,000 last year alone.

"People are not required or have to have a minimum pledge to be able to walk but of course we highly recommend that they raise as much as they can", states Heidi.

Lupus is a chronic disease with a variety of symptoms caused by inflammation in one or more parts of the body. It is estimated that it affects more than 50,000 Canadians.

Lupus is not contagious and is not related to AIDS or cancer. It belongs in the family of diseases that includes rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, and scleroderma.

The most common type of lupus is SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It is a complex and baffling condition that can target any tissue or organ of the body, including skin, muscles, joints, blood and blood vessels, lungs, heart, kidneys, and the brain.

There are other types of lupus which mainly affect the skin. A few individuals develop drug-induced lupus as a response to some medications used to treat other conditions. These symptoms disappear when the person stops taking the medication.

Women, men, children can get Lupus. Between the ages 15 and 45, eight times more women than men get lupus. In those under 15 and over 45, both sexes are affected equally.

Heidi runs a local support group at the First Anglican Church (22 Nancy Street Bolton) on the second Tuesday of each month.

"Due to the turn out fluctuation I ask that people call me to confirm by phone that they will be coming", explains Heidi.

Heidi Nielsen
Walk for Lupus Bolton-Caledon Co-ordinator
Lupus support group Leader
Lupus Ontario Public Awareness Board of Director
647-202-0898

Register to walk or donate to a participant (Heidi Nielsen) at www.walkforlupus.ca

by: Stephen Owen