The local organization for the 'disease with a thousand faces' will host a fundraising walk on Saturday

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Non-profit organizations constantly search for ways to raise money and bring awareness to their cause. By combining recreation with fundraising, participants are able to learn about illnesses such as Lupus, and interconnect with the individuals, whose lives are affected by the disease.

Nancy Vautour, President of the NB Chapter of Lupus Canada, is looking forward to the upcoming fundraising event planned for May 10, which coincides with World Lupus Day. While many organizations run marathons to show their support, Lupus Walk a Block is designed to give Lupus sufferers, an opportunity to partake as well.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells. The effect of this, causes tissue damage and organ failure. The disease has also been called the 'disease with a thousand faces,' as it mimics a wide variety of other illnesses. Common fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms associated with Lupus, which is why the N.B. Chapter has created the Walk a Block campaign. Nancy claims that a major part of the battle with Lupus is educating yourself and listening to your body.

Although Lupus affects over 1.5 million Americans, much more needs to be learned. When Nancy went to her doctor with health concerns in the early 80s, she did not know much about lupus, and she wasn't alone. Her doctor was also minutely aware of the disease, and diagnosis was a situation of self-discovery.

"I kept a diary of different symptoms of what I was going through, the extreme fatigue was terrible with me," recalls Nancy. "I could always do a lot of work and do a regular day and all of the sudden I didn't have the energy to get dressed in the morning. I had been taking seizures during nights and attributed the seizures to my tiredness the next day."

All in all, Nancy's condition took five years to diagnose. The life-altering disease compelled her to discontinue work in 1989, but it also brought about some unexpected changes.

"The best thing I ever did for myself was getting involved with Lupus Canada," she explains. Since then, Nancy has learned a lot about the disease and has been able to help other people who are suffering. Her best advice?

"Keep track of what is happening if you have lupus," she says. "I take a list of my symptoms in every time I go to my doctor. Always ask questions and be on top of it. Try and get your doctor to learn with you, hang on to the doctor you've got so they can learn. My doctor said, if I didn't have you as a patient I wouldn't have learned."

The seventh national walk will be held May 10 beginning at 2:15 p.m. between the Rogers building and the Fire Station in downtown Moncton. Guest speakers will open the event, and walking will commence at 3:15 p.m. with a barbeque to be held afterwards.

For more information about lupus, you can contact Nancy toll free at 1-800-661-1468 or visit www.lupuscanada.org