The 20th annual Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event on Saturday, May 6 at MetLife Stadium is a family-friendly event in which those with lupus can meet others in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

Millions worldwide have a form of lupus — a chronic, complex, and serious disease with few treatments and no cure. To increase awareness of this chronic, long-term disease and raise crucial funds for lupus research programs, the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 9 a.m. at MetLife Stadium.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system, typically responsible for fighting infection, instead attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation, pain and extreme fatigue.

Most people with lupus develop the disease between the ages of 15 and 44, and nine out of 10 are women. Many who are diagnosed with lupus suffer from strokes, cardiovascular disease, rashes, and aching joints. For others, there may be no visible symptoms.

Since 2002, the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, the Lupus Research Alliance’s signature national fundraising program, has raised more than $45 million. Held during May, Lupus Awareness Month, the 2023 New Jersey Walk with Us to Cure Lupus goal is $530,000. Because the Lupus Research Alliance Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of the funds raised from the walk go directly to lupus research programs.

Registration for the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event opens at 9 a.m., with the Walk starting at approximately 10 a.m. The event, with a goal of raising $530,000, is expected to conclude at 11:30 a.m.

Lupus Research Alliance Regional Development Manager Joanne Golombos said the hundreds of participants can expect a fun and inspiring day.

“The Walk is an opportunity for those with lupus to come and meet others in a safe and welcoming atmosphere,” Golombos said. “It’s a family-friendly event held at MetLife Stadium (on the field). Magicians, New York Jets football players, Jets bounce houses, Kids Corral, face painting, company vendors, and grab-and-go refreshments all add up to a morning filled with inspiration and hope.” This year marks the Walk’s 20th anniversary, Golombos noted. The event in East Rutherford started in 2003 in the former Giants Stadium, and has grown at the site to a Walk today involving hundreds at MetLife Stadium.

“These dedicated individuals share their stories and their spirit, while raising awareness of the Lupus Research Alliance mission,” she said.

Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the Walk starts at approximately 10 a.m. The event ends at 11:30 a.m.

The Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event welcomes corporate sponsorships, company Walk teams, friends and family teams, and team fundraising events.

 In order to reach the fundraising goal, ample support is needed.

“We solicit local companies and businesses to commit to corporate sponsorship and recruit employees to build a company Walk team. We also have friends and family teams consisting of walkers who either have lupus or walk in support of someone who does. Most of our teams and individuals commit to the Walk year after year,” Golombos said. “Individuals, teams and businesses can also purchase route markers along the Walk route to honor someone with lupus or show their support for the lupus cause.”

“Lastly, many teams hold fundraising events to support the Walk,” Golombos added. “They can be car washes, bake sales, bowlathons — anything that people enjoy hosting and their friends and family enjoy attending.”

Most people with lupus develop the autoimmune disease between the ages of 15 and 44, and nine out of 10 are women.

For individuals, families or groups who’d like to get involved but aren’t sure how to begin fundraising, the Lupus Research Alliance offers a guide to help get started. Participants who raise $125 or more qualify for an official Walk T-shirt.

Those who are unable to join the Walk on Saturday, May 6, but would still like to support the cause can donate through Walk with Us to Cure Lupus’s website or register as a virtual walker and participate without attending in person.

For more information about the event, visit Walk with Us to Cure Lupus’s Frequenty asked Questions page, call Joanne Golombos at 732-610-2267 or email jgolombos@lupusresearch.org.