Annual walk aims to raise awareness, money for lupus

HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) – A group is working to spread awareness of a disease that mostly affects women and minority groups.

Saturday morning was the 3rd Annual Winning Warriors for Lupus walk and fundraiser at Thomas A. Cloud Memorial Park in Huber Heights.

“Each year is getting bigger and bigger. We are bringing awareness to those who have this debilitating disease,” Ida Carson with Winning Warriors said.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain anywhere in the body. It attacks a person’s joints, skin and organs.

Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women, and minority groups are at higher risk of developing the disease, according to the Lupus Foundation of America . It’s not known what causes the disease.

Winning Warriors members said what they’re part of is more than just a support group, it’s a family that spans all over the world.

“We meet every two weeks on Thursdays, every three weeks, not only the Dayton community, but we go as far as England, as far as Jamaica. And we’re reaching folks everywhere,” lupus warrior Tanika Jackson said.

All proceeds from Saturday’s walk go directly to Winning Warriors members to cover medication, medical supplies and transportation to and from appointments.

“I thank God for this group because with them and the instructions of our physicians, we’re doing better,” Carson said.

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