MUSC The Catalyst
MUSC arial view

 

MUSCMedical LinksCharleston LinksArchivesCatalyst AdvertisersSeminars and EventsResearch StudiesPublic RelationsResearch GrantsCatalyst PDF FileMUSC home pageCommunity HappeningsCampus NewsApplause

MUSCMedical LinksCharleston LinksArchivesCatalyst AdvertisersSeminars and EventsResearch StudiesPublic RelationsResearch GrantsMUSC home pageCommunity HappeningsCampus NewsApplause

 


Doctor may don go-go boots for fundraiser


After some time searching the Internet, LoriAnn Ueberroth found the perfect pair of purple patent leather go-go boots.
 
That part was easy. What will be tricky is getting them to fit the feet of Gary Gilkeson, M.D.
“We found a doctor who’s not afraid,” she said, explaining that MUSC’s vice chairman for research in the Department of Medicine will be wearing these boots April 18 if Team MUSCLE can meet or exceed the total team donation goal of $4,000 for the Walk for Lupus Now. “Dr. Gilkeson has a great sense of humor,” she said.
 
Ueberroth, clinical trials coordinator for the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, said the team members did so well last year, they were excited to do it again. Walk for Lupus Now is a family-friendly event that raises funds to support the programs and services of the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). The Charleston Walk for Lupus Now will take place April 18, with registration starting at 2 p.m. at the track at the Park West Recreation Department, 1251 Park West Blvd. The Charleston area goal is to raise $25,000.
 
Walk for Lupus Now is the signature event of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. In nearly 70 cities across America, thousands of people will walk in April to make a difference in the lives of those affected by lupus and to raise essential funds for research, education, and support services. Given that there hasn’t been a new medicine for lupus in more than 50 years, it’s a much needed cause to support, said Ueberroth.
 
It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans and more than 22,000 in South Carolina have a form of lupus. Lupus is an acute and chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually every organ system in the body.
 
Ueberroth said that members of  MUSC’s Lupus Erythematosus (MUSCLE) Group are working very hard to identify the causes of systemic lupus erythematosus and to find better treatments for it.   Members of the MUSCLE group are active in education programs locally through public schools, health fairs, news media and churches, as well as nationally through leadership in the LFA and the Office of Women’s Health.  The research group is made up of adult and pediatric rheumatologists, nurse practitioners, epidemiologists, study coordinators, and other support staff.
 
“These are caring people who are committed to increasing the community’s awareness of lupus and promoting earlier evaluation and treatment through clinical care services and research,” Ueberroth said.
 
To make a donation, join the team or check how close Team MUSCLE is to getting Gilkeson into those boots, visit the Web site
http://donate.lupus.org/site/TR/Walk/General?team_id=10100&pg=team&fr_id=1260. For registration or to get information about the walk, go to http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/Walk-for-Lupus-Now.htm or contact Ueberroth at 792-0549 or ueberro@musc.edu.


Friday, March 12, 2010



The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.