The Washington DC Walk was a huge victory thanks to people like you! Walk Ambassador and “Army Wives” star, Kellie Martin, encouraged participants as they lapped, or “looped”, around the AARDA Autoimmune Walk route. For more than 10 years, Kellie has served as AARDA’s Spokesperson. She felt compelled to get involved after losing her then 19 year old sister, Heather, to lupus in 1998.
The Autoimmune Walks are AARDA’s new signature awareness and fundraising campaign with a twist. All three Autoimmune Walks promote routes formed in non-traditional loops to encourage “circling” the length of the route to show solidarity for the loved one or loved ones affected.
At each Walk, participants are given a paper “link” to write their link to autoimmune disease. What autoimmune disease(s) are you representing? Are you walking for yourself? A family member or co-worker? These links will be displayed during the opening and closing ceremonies at each event. The links will offer a visual to the impact that autoimmune disease has on the world.
There are two remaining Walks – Midwest (Chicago), Saturday, June 2 and TriState (New York), Sunday, June 24. If you aren’t in an area where a Walk is taking place, consider becoming a Virtual Walker. You select the day and route to walk locally. Please contact the AARDA office if you want to organize a Walk in your area.
To register or to receive more information regarding the Walks, call 1-855-239-2557; visit www.AutoimmuneWalk.org; or contact Info@AutoimmuneWalk.org. Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AutoimmuneWalk. Follow us on Twitter @AARDATweets. Use the hashtag #AutoimmuneWalk to tell us how you are preparing for the Walks. Using the hashtag, feel free to post pictures documenting you and your team getting ready for the Walk.
