Faculty member runs to raise money for Lupus

     One of the five World Marathon Majors will occur in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 7, and GCSU assistant director of University Communications, Zach Kinkaid, will make the journey to raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America.
     Runners from all 50 states and over 120 countries will set out to accomplish a personal dream.
     In the 2006 marathon, 5,000 runners raised over $9.5 million to support 60 different charities. This year, the Chicago Marathon’s 2007 Charity program supports 83 charities, including the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
     Carey Pinkowski, Executive Race Director of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon believes the race is not only an example of athletic achievement, but also of compassion.
     “There’s a point at which people commit to the Marathon, and they’re looking for something to add to that commitment,” Pinkowski said. “The charity piece is an emotional and inspirational one that complements that. There’s a higher meaning to crossing the finish line when others are relying on your efforts, and that emotion carries over to the mass of spectators encouraging them to consider such a challenge the following year.”
     Kinkaid is running to support the Lupus Foundation of America, an organization established to offer support and services for Lupus patients.
     Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, brain, kidneys, heart and other various parts of the body. Although for most it is a mild disease, for others it can be fatal. According to the LFA, approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from the debilitating disease. Unfortunately, that number is increasing daily. In fact, LFA studies show that more than 16,000 of Americans developing Lupus each year. Kinkaid says he is running for this particular charity because of Flannery O’Connor.
     O’Connor, a famous southern novelist, Milledgeville resident, and GCSU’s most notable alumna, died of the disease at 39. Her father died of Lupus when she was only 15. She has made a significant impact on Kinkaid along with the entire University.
     “She is one of my literary heroes,” Kinkaid said.
He believes that her momentous involvement in the university provided a “good context” in which to run the marathon. He has been running the past ten years and frequently participates in marathons.
     “The marathons are a challenge, and that’s what makes it rewarding,” Kinkaid said.
     His goal is to raise $1,000, and, to date, he has already raised $740.  For more information about participating in a race to support the Lupus Foundation visit their website at www.lupus.org.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 21 2007. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry