2007 ALR Lupus Awareness Day at the New York Jets

On Sunday, September 23, 2007, over 40 Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) and Burdorff ERA volunteers along with the Jets Women’s Organization (JWO) joined the ALR at the “Jets” Meadowlands Stadium to help “tackle” lupus at the second annual ALR Lupus Awareness Day.  In addition to increasing awareness of lupus and the ALR’s mission to prevent, treat and cure lupus through medical research, volunteers collected donations from fans entering the Stadium and distributed nearly 50,000 purple ALR Lupus Awareness Bracelets.

ALR top grassroots fundraisers and Walk with Us to Cure Lupus participants from New York City, Long Island, Central New Jersey and Northern New Jersey were game day VIPs - their efforts and dedication to the ALR quest for a cure recognized throughout the Jets game against the Miami Dolphins.  New York City Walk With Us to Cure Lupus top fundraiser Matt Niskanen, served as an Honorary Captain for the game’s coin toss with Pat Hofferkamp, President of Burgdorff ERA and Marty Schulman, winner of the NFL’s Auction VIP Game Day Experience.

Together, with the support and partnership of the JWO, Burgdorff Realtors, ERA, Davis Vision, and of course, the New York Jets, we raised over $13,000 for ALR-funded lupus research.

Below are highlights from the 2007 ALR Lupus Awareness Day at the New York Jets.  To view a full photo album, click here. 

Thank you for your dedication to the ALR quest for a cure.  We look forward to greeting you at the 2008 ALR Lupus Awareness Day at the New York Jets!

Over 40 ALR and Burgdorff ERA volunteers devoted their Sunday to increase awareness of lupus and further the ALR quest for a cure.

New York City Walk With Us To Cure Lupus top fundraiser Matt Niskanen (middle), served as an Honorary Captain for the game’s coin toss with Pat Hofferkamp, President of Burgdorff ERA (right) and Marty Schulman, winner of the NFL’s Auction VIP Game Day Experience (left).

The Jets Women’s Organization is comprised of wives, fiancées and significant others of Jets players, coaches and select football support staff members.  The Jets Community Relations Department oversees this organization with the assistance of Jets Head Coach’s wife Julie Mangini and General Manager’s wife Michelle Tannenbaum.  Founded in 2001, the mission of the organization is to build goodwill in the Tri-State community through active volunteer participation.

ALR Volunteers and JWO members greet fans entering the “Jets” Meadowlands Stadium.

ALR volunteers Yusef and Joseph Hickman collect donations at the Stadium gates.  Because the ALR Board of Directors pays all of the ALR’s operating expenses, 100% of every donation goes directly to support innovative lupus research.

ALR top grassroots fundraisers and Walk with Us to Cure Lupus participants from New York City, Long Island, Central New Jersey and Northern New Jersey were recognized during the Jets game for their efforts and dedication to the ALR quest for a cure.  Pictured above (left to right): Richard Veltri (NNJ), Osbourne Traill (LI), Hannah Margolin (CNJ), Claudine Mauriello (NYC), Matt Niskanen (NYC), Leah Crocker (CNJ), Kelly Beyrouty (LI) and Francine Katz (NNJ).

Photos courtesy of the New York Jets, Matt Niskanen and the ALR