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Doctor may don go-go boots for fundraiser
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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
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