For five years, Connie Murray of Clifford has brought attention to the fight against lupus.
For several years more, she has suffered the effects of the condition, turning her life inside out with misery, yet leaving her hopeful for a cure. She has promoted awareness and research and now her Walk for Lupus hit its fifth anniversary.
Over 40 children and adults headed out on the Walk for Lupus on May 10 starting at the John Hobelman Memorial Rotary Pavilion Park in Clifford.
She gave everyone a beaded spoon charm to remind them of all the steps it takes to combat Lupus on a daily basis.
In the early years, Murray and her family and close friends struck out to collect pledges and circle the block, share refreshments, and cut the “Lupie for Lupus” cake.
They looked for sponsors and passed out literature. Everyone was invited to show they cared.
Steadily the number of walkers has grown and this year Murray hoped to reach a fundraising goal of $4,000. She included a silent auction of donated items, an Avon product fundraiser and a bake sale.
Murray expressed gratitude to W.C. Smith Wholesale, Wightman Telecom, Clifford Fire Department, Nieuwland Feeds, Redwood Restaurant, Leonard’s Place, Laura Brohman, Ruth Gibson, Jen Connelly, Tracy Brenner, Tyler Nicholson, Lisa Lorentz, Valerie Gillespie, and Lois Donaldson.
Murray was also thankful for Jo Hobelman who designed and decorated a cake with butterflies, a sign of hope and healing and Corey Hobelman and Josh Zettler tending the barbecue.
Other lupus sufferers who showed their support at the event were Susie Davidson of Palmerston, Laura Brohman of Drayton, and Jodie Weber of Mildmay.
Murray states she could not host this fundraiser without her husband Grant and their girls Jess and Alisa, her grandmother Ruth Gibson and sister-in-law Sue Gibson, along with Chris Sterling and Josh Zettler, and grandson Caden.
To find out more about lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects most parts of the body, contact Connie or www.lupuscanada.org
