EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY. May 6, 2023. An enthusiastic crowd of nearly 1,500 supporters came together today at MetLife Stadium for the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) 2023 New Jersey Walk with Us to Cure Lupus to raise nearly $500,000 for lupus research as well as public awareness of the serious and commonly misdiagnosed autoimmune disease. A major observation of Lupus Awareness Month, the day celebrated the New Jersey Walk’s 20th anniversary with special recognition to its two co-founders and lupus warriors Francine Halushka Katz and Alison Feldman Walsh. The program kicked off with a welcome by Brenda Blackmon, LRA Board Member and Emmy-Award winning broadcast journalist and an inspiring message from another Board Member Bishop Rudy V. Carlton.

The LRA has invested $245 million in funding breakthroughs that can improve treatment while driving for a cure for lupus which affects millions worldwide, particularly women of color. Its foundational work is behind the development and validation testing of more than a dozen potential therapies for lupus.

“Breakthroughs funded by the LRA over the last two decades have significantly help improve how lupus is treated, but much more needs to be done to best treat this disease of a million faces that affects each person so differently,” said Albert T. Roy, LRA President and CEO. “Our research strategy aims to continue uncovering the underlying pathways involved with lupus and accelerate evaluation of potential therapeutics that can personal treatment.”

Current New York Jets players who came out to show their support and mingle with fans included:  tight end C.J. Uzomah; defensive tackle Solomon Thomas; and cornerback Michael Carter II. Chairman of the New York Jets, Robert Wood Johnson, is Founding Chairman of the LRA and Honorary Chair of the New Jersey Walk.

In addition to the New York Jets, the LRA also greatly appreciates the support of all its sponsors, including J&J, GSK, Atlantic Health, RWJ Foundation, RWJBarnabas Health, Roche, M&T Bank/Wilmington Trust, PNC, and Aurinia Pharmaceuticals. Special thanks go to the thousands of people contributing to finding better treatments and a cure. Because the LRA’s Board of Directors covers all administrative and fundraising costs, 100 percent of donations goes directly to lupus research programs.

Participation in LRA’s Walk program is free. Walk with Us to Cure Lupus is a major fundraising event, and everyone is encouraged to raise donations to support lupus research. Visit www.lupusresearch.org or Email Walks@LupusResearch.org for more information about the event.

Joining the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus program is just one way to contribute to the lupus cause. During May, Lupus Awareness Month, LRA invites the lupus community to join its ManyOne Can Make a Difference movement. The ManyOne Can campaign reflects the tremendous value every person in the lupus community brings to the fight to improve treatment while driving to a cure — because while no one individual can do it alone, together ManyOne Can!  The ways people with lupus, friends and family can help are also many by fundraising, advocating for increased federal research dollars, raising disease awareness, and taking part in the clinical research process.  If you like to donate to the New Jersey Walk, please click here.

About Lupus
Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women; lupus most often strikes during the childbearing years of 15-45. African Americans, Latinx, Asians and Native Americans are two to three times at greater risk than Caucasians. In lupus, the immune system, designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body including the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.

About the Lupus Research Alliance
The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-governmental, non-profit funder of lupus research worldwide. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering diverse scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance’s Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs.

Media Contact:
Margy Meislin, mmeislin@lupusresearch.org