GRAND RAPIDS WALK FOR LUPUS AT THE JOHN BALL ZOO
(Michigan – July 1, 2025) – The Michigan Lupus Foundation is holding an awareness walk in support of lupus patients and their families on Saturday, September 6 at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. Registration for the walk is $18-30 per person and includes admission to the zoo if registered by August 24. The walk starts at 10 am and the registration table opens at 9 am. Teams are encouraged to help raise additional funds in support of lupus awareness and research.
It is estimated around 14,000 Michiganders suffer from lupus. More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined. The Michigan Lupus Foundation hosts events and special initiatives to help raise awareness about the physical, emotional and financial impact of lupus. Spreading awareness provides support, resources and advocacy for people fighting the disease.
Newaygo resident Katie Groover has been diagnosed with lupus for 23 years. “I have been a lupus warrior since I was 13 and am now 35. Raising awareness through avenues such as this lupus awareness walk is such a priority for me. At 13, nobody in my family had heard of lupus. My doctor didn't know how to treat it or what to expect. Friends and family worried that I was contagious, or did not understand my limitations due to my disease. Often times, lupus warriors do not look sick. We put on tough smiles and bare through pain,” Groover said. “Awareness not only allows for understanding of this debilitating disease, but raises funds for my fellow warriors, and funds for research for treatment. We still have no cure for lupus. Together we can create change!”
Groover’s brother and Grand Rapids resident Michael Lang volunteers on the Michigan Lupus Foundation Board of Directors as Vice President in honor of his sister. “As a loving family member of someone battling lupus, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges and uncertainties that this condition brings into their lives. It's a constant reminder of the strength and resilience that is required for someone with lupus to face each day,” Lang said. “Through my role as Vice President on the board, I've come to understand the vital importance of supporting the foundation. Our collective efforts enable us to extend a helping hand to countless lupus patients across the state of Michigan. Together, we're not only raising awareness but also providing essential resources, research, and a sense of community that can make a profound difference in their journey.”
The Grand Rapids Walk for Lupus is critical to secure the future of the Michigan Lupus Foundation. The Michigan Lupus Foundation recently launched an urgent capital campaign to raise emergency funds to ensure the nonprofit is able to continue offering support services for those with lupus in the state of Michigan. Without the critical funding, the foundation will be forced to close its doors within the next year.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. It can affect any part of the body causing widespread pain and inflammation. People with lupus often suffer from joint pain, extreme fatigue and organ damage. Diagnosing lupus can take 2-6 years on average per patient since it can often mimic other diseases and there is not one conclusive test. Fundraising for lupus is necessary to drive research initiatives and provide support and services to those who need it.
To register for the Grand Rapids Walk for Lupus, visit http://milupus.org or call (248) 901-7299.
About Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. It can affect any part of the body causing widespread pain and inflammation. Common symptoms include crippling fatigue, fever and joint pain. Lupus affects each person differently and may go into periods of flares and remissions. More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined. It is estimated that between 322,000 and 1.5 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with this disease. Lupus primarily affects young women between the ages of 15-45 years old and occurs more frequently in women of African American, Hispanic or Asian descent. There is currently no cure for lupus.
About the Michigan Lupus Foundation
The Michigan Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure. The foundation provides financial and informational resources for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. The MI Lupus Foundation has been continually serving Michigan since 1974 and is working to build a brighter future for all lupus patients and their families. For more information, visit http://milupus.org.
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