The first annual New Jersey 5K "Walk With Us To Cure Lupus" will take place on Sunday, June 22, 2003, at 10 a.m. on the 50-yard line at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford.
Morristown-based law firm Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti LLP is one of the sponsors of the event. Gary Walsh, a senior partner, commented, "Riker Danzig is extremely proud to be contributing to the effort to raise awareness about lupus and raise funds for necessary research." Francine Katz, an associate with the firm, and Alison Feldman Walsh, director of recruiting, are serving as co-chairpersons. Other major sponsors of the walkathon include Johnson & Johnson, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the New York Jets Football team.
Several players from the New York Jets are scheduled to participate in the event and Bob Wischusen, commentator for the Jets, will be master of ceremonies. Entertainment at the walk will be provided by the band Housewives on Prozac, whose lead and backup singers have lupus.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will go to the Alliance for Lupus Research. ALR, founded by Robert Wood Johnson IV, owner of the Jets, with support from the Arthritis Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to provide an aggressive and concentrated effort to prevent, treat and cure lupus through medical research. "We have tremendous support from the community, from the people committed to the fight against lupus, the Jets organization and fans who get involved in the team's community activities," said Barbara Boyts, president of ALR.
Further information about the walk can be obtained by visiting http://www.lupusresearch.org or call (866) WALK-ALR.
