Train Excursion Fundraiser Fights Lupus
Posted at: 10/04/2012 2:36 PM
| Updated at: 10/04/2012 6:45 PM
By: Brittany Falkers
It's a disease without a cure that is very hard to diagnose. Lupus effects about 1.5 million Americans, according to the Lupus Foundation, but tomorrow you can help make a difference.
Kim Schandel is this year's Lupus Foundation Ambassador. She was diagnosed with lupus, an auto immune disease, just over a year ago. However, she says she's dealt with the, sometimes debilitating, symptoms for years.
"I've been sick, pretty much all my life, although I've never really considered myself that way,"she said.
Schandel says lupus can be very misleading, because it really only visibly effects people on the inside. "It's a crazy disease, and it just kind of moves around the body. No two people represent it the same way, because it's your own body attacking it's own DNA and there's nothing to really pin point what it is,"she said.
There are many variation of the diesease, but it generally leaves people feeling like they constantly have flu like symptoms.
"You feel tired, maybe a little fuzzy thinking, because your fighting something. It's kind of like that, but our body if fighting something everyday," Schandel said.
However, an event over the weekend aims to bring support and some fundraising to the Northland. Schandel organized the "This Train is Bound for Glory" event. It's a 2 1/2 hour train excursion fundraiser.
For just $15 dollars folks can ride the train with live 80's flashback band Mynx, food from the Green Mill, and drinks. There will even be a baggage car dance floor.
Tickets are still available for the first class train car. It's $30 dollars and includes champagne, appetizers and desert.
"Oh my gosh it's going to be great. Talk about everybody coming together to make something wonderful," Schandel said about the event.
Aside from living with lupus and actively advocating awareness, Schandel raises her 15-year-old daughter, Mary. She says finding a cure is even more important now that Mary may have lupus too.
"I really think in the next few years all this research and all this work is really going to change things," she said.
You can also help raise awareness and money for the lupus foundation on the lake walk Saturday at the second annual lupus walk.
For tickets to the "This Train is Bound for Glory" event click here.
For more information on the lupus walk click here.
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