Jon & Jill Hansen to Host Lupus Walk at OKC Zoo

May 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Saturday, June 5th, 2010  Event
Lupus Foundation of America , Oklahoma Chapter
Contact:                Lea Jensen - Executive Director, OK Chapter LFA    
405-427-8787 or 405-503-6529c  www.oklupus.com

Jon & Jill Hansen to Host Lupus Walk at OKC Zoo
                       
What:                    Walk for Lupus Now 2010
Who:                      Lupus Foundation of America , Oklahoma Chapter and the Public
Where:                  Oklahoma City Zoo
When:                    Saturday, June 5th, 2010 - Registration at 8:00 am Walk at 9:30 am

( OKLAHOMA CITY , OK )  Join this year’s special hosts Jon and Jill Hansen, along with the Oklahoma Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, on Saturday June 5th, at the Walk for Lupus Now event at the Oklahoma City Zoo.  Registration will begin at 8:00 am and the step off for the one mile walk will start at 9:30 am.

Former Oklahoma City Fire Chief, Jon Hansen spearheaded rescue efforts after the Murrah bombing in Oklahoma City .  "My personal involvement is a plea for people to help my daughter and others like her by supporting events like Walk for Lupus Now on June 5th." said Hansen.    

Jon Hansen is on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Lupus Chapter and his daughter Jillian is now forming an Oklahoma City support group for young people who have lupus.

“Last year over 700 walkers participated and we are expecting as many as 1000 people to attend this year.” stated Lea Jensen, LFA , OK Chapter, Executive Director.  “Our fundraising goal is $50,000.  Whether you choose to join a team or walk on your own, you'll be doing your part in the fight against lupus, plus you'll have fun doing it.”  said Jensen.

Also walking again this year is Miss Teen Oklahoma, Lyndzee Vieweg whose mother has lupus.   Lyndzee has made lupus education and awareness her passion and also her platform during her reign.

Admission to the Zoo is free to all attending the walk and everyone can stay as long as they like to enjoy the creature comforts.  There will be free snacks and drinks, live entertainment by The V-8s providing classic rock and much more!  Walkers get a free t-shirt for every $100 raised.  There are no registration fees for any participant of any age and all donations are tax deductible.

Supporter of the Walk for Lupus event, State Senator Constance Johnson stated, “The Lupus Foundation is a source of comfort, hope and encouragement, especially to African American women who appear to be disproportionately affected by the disease.”      

“The best way to enjoy the Walk for Lupus Now is to register and invite others to walk with you.” said Jensen.  “And remember, you can participate from the comfort of your own home by registering as a Virtual Walker online at www.oklupus.com by clicking on the 'Walk' link.”

Approximately 1.4 million Americans, including over 25,000 Oklahomans, have lupus and of those, 90 percent are women. Lupus usually strikes women between 15 and 45 and is two-to-three times more common among black women. Hispanics, Asians and Indians also have a higher incidence of lupus.

If you are interested in learning more about lupus and would like to participate in the Walk for Lupus Now event, please contact Lea Jensen - Executive Director, OK Chapter LFA at 405-427-8787 or go online www.oklupus.com.

# # #

The Oklahoma Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America is dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus.