Questions & Answers
What is lupus?
Tens of thousands of Canadian men, women and children are living with lupus. Lupus is an under-recognized, life threatening autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system becomes overactive, attacking healthy tissues and vital organs such as kidneys, heart and lungs. Lupus is most common in women of childbearing age, but also afflicts men and children.
Symptoms vary from each person and can include extreme fatigue, painful joints, swollen feet and legs, and chest pains. There is no cure for lupus. Lupus can be controlled, but people die every year from complications of the disease. Lupus also impacts nine times more women than men, often in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 15 and 45 years.
One of the most common types of lupus is Systemic lupus, a complex and sometimes baffling condition that can target any tissue or organ of the body, including skin, muscles, joints, blood and blood vessels, lungs, heart, kidneys and the brain. There are other types of lupus which mainly affect the skin (Discoid Lupus).
It is important to know that while lupus can be a serious condition, in most cases it can be treated and controlled. One of the challenges is that it can take several years to diagnose and to determine the appropriate treatment. Lupus often goes in cycles, with periods of time in which symptoms may disappear completely. Diagnosis and treatment are improving, allowing people with lupus to live increasingly active and productive lives.
What is WALK for Lupus Ontario?
WALK for Lupus is Lupus Ontario’s largest provincial fundraising and awareness event. It began over 23-years ago with a single walk (previously Walk a Block) and has grown into an event involving thousands of participants throughout Ontario. Over the years, the WALK for Lupus has raised over a million dollars to fund the Lupus Ontario Geoff Carr Research Fellowship, support and education programs for lupus patients and their families and advocacy projects aimed at improving programs and services for lupus patients.
Who is Lupus Ontario?
Lupus Ontario is a team of caring and enthusiastic volunteers and staff who are passionately committed to helping those with lupus live longer and better by raising funds that deliver vital support, education, awareness and research. For more information about Lupus Ontario please visit www.lupusontario.org.
When does WALK for Lupus Ontario take place?
WALKS will be taking place across Ontario from May to September 15th.
Should you wish to organize a walk in your community please contact Lupus Ontario at abrooks@lupusontario.org, 905-415-1099 or toll free 1 877-240-1099.
How do I register for a walk location?
To participate in a Walk, start on our home page then select if you want to be a team captain, a participant on a team, or fundraise as an individual. Then you will get to choose the location of your walk.
How do I support a participant or a team?
Visit our Search page and search for the participant’s name or team name which you wish to support.
Is there a minimum I must raise to participate in the Walk?
There is no minimum amount you need to raise to participate in Walk for Lupus Ontario. However, we do encourage a goal of $100 or more.
How do I organize a walk in a new community?
Contact Lupus Ontario for assistance at abrooks@lupusontario.org, 905 415-1099 or toll free 1 877-240-1099.
Is there a registration fee?
There is no registration fee for the Walk for Lupus Ontario. We do encourage you to donate to your personal fundraising campaign to encourage others to participate.
Is there a rain date for the walk?
The Walk for Lupus Ontario takes place rain or shine.
What is a personal fundraising page?
It is your public fundraising page on the Walk for Lupus Ontario website and your best tool to help you promote your participation and fundraising on behalf of the Walk for Lupus Ontario campaign.
I am having issues with the Walk for Lupus Ontario website
Please contact abrooks@lupusontario.org or call 1-877-240-1099 / 905-415-1099
Why should I encourage donors to donate online?
When donors make their donations online, they receive an instant tax receipt and thank you email. The donation amount shows immediately on your fundraising page and you do not have to worry about handling cash, cheques or credit card information. Online donations save processing time in the office. This allows Lupus Ontario to invest more time and money on our programs.
Will Lupus Ontario accept cash or cheques as donations?
Although we much prefer online donations, if you a have a donor who is not comfortable donating online and wants to give you cash or a cheque (payable to Lupus Ontario) please print and complete the manual pledge form found in your participant centre with the details of the donation and mail it to the Lupus Ontario office. Do not send cash in the mail. You can deposit the cash into your bank account and e-transfer the amount with a note indicating what it is for to admin@lupusontario.org or send a cheque for the total amount of cash to the Lupus Ontario office. You still need to complete the donor information on the pledge form so that we can issue a tax receipt for donations of $20 or more.
I made a donation online but have not received a tax receipt, what do I do?
Contact Lupus Ontario at 1 877-240-1099 / 905 415-1099 or email abrooks@lupusontario.org.
Where does my donation go?
We pride ourselves on our transparency, so please visit www.lupusontario.org/financial-information/ for more information about where funds raised are allocated.
How do I become a sponsor for the event?
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact abrooks@lupusontario.org.
