Saturday is Lupus Awareness Day in Ontario and organizers are inviting supporters to join the annual Walk for Lupus Ontario taking place at Sudbury's Delki Dozzi Track.
The Sudbury walk is one of numerous events that will take place across Canada and around the world to raise awareness and financial support for people affected by lupus.
At least five million people worldwide have lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any organ or tissue from the skin or joints to the heart, kidneys, or brain, said a news release from the Ontario organization.
In Sudbury organizers have planned a walking and fundraising event for Saturday with registrations and check-in at 10:30 a.m. with the walk beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Sudbury organizers have also arranged for the Big Nickel and the Sudbury Water Tower to be lit up to bring awareness to the impact lupus has on many people’s lives.
More than 30 prominent landmarks across Ontario will be illuminated in vibrant purple as part of the “#lightsforlupus initiative. This symbolic gesture aims to draw attention to spreading awareness of lupus and to unite communities in solidarity, said a news release..
The Walk for Lupus is Lupus Ontario’s largest provincial fundraising and awareness event. It began 24 years ago with a single walk and has grown into an event involving thousands of participants in communities throughout Ontario.
Over the years, the Walk for Lupus has raised over $1.5 million to fund the Lupus Ontario Geoff Carr Research Fellowship, support and education programs for lupus patients and their families, and advocacy projects aimed at improving programs and services for lupus patients.
Those who cannot attend Sudbury's event can still make donations online.