Oak Ridge Today

Hundreds run, bike in lupus fundraiser

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Butterflies for Hope bike ride

Roughly 140 bicyclists rode Saturday in Oak Ridge during the second day of an awareness fundraiser for lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease.

Several hundred runners, walkers, and bicyclists participated in a two-day awareness fundraiser this past weekend for lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease.

The first-time fundraiser, called Butterflies for Hope, included a 5K run and walk Friday evening, and a 25-mile to 62-mile bicycle ride on Saturday afternoon. Organizer Donna Sullivan, co-owner of Hot Bagel Co., estimated that more than $7,000 was raised for the Lupus Foundation of America’s Mid-South Chapter.

The chapter covers Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, where about 90,000 residents have lupus, said Sherry Hammond, president and chief executive officer of the Mid-South Chapter. She and Shannon Wagner, the chapter’s development manager, were in town for the fundraiser.

Lupus is an incurable autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. Hammond said the effects can range from mild to life-threatening.

Sullivan, whose 23-year-old daughter Katie has lupus, said the disease can be very expensive to treat. One of her daughter’s medicines, for example, costs $323 for a six-week supply.

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YAB activities for the month of April

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The City of Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board (YAB) acts as a link between the Oak Ridge City Council and the youth in our community and is made up of students from 8th grade through 12th grade.  This organization often has activities geared toward teens to give them healthy and safe activities.  The ones for this month are as follows:

Freshman/Sophomore Dance – April 13, 2011 @ 6 p.m. at the Paradox Teen Center on New York Ave.  This is a semi-formal dance and the cost is $4.00. This is for ORHS students only.

Youth Career Fair – April 25th

The City Youth Advisory Board is hosting a Summer Jobs & Career Fair for Teens at Oak Ridge High School on Wednesday, April 25th from 2pm-4pm. This event will introduce students and potential employers, and colleges.  This is a free event and there will be door prizes.  To be a vendor, please go to the city’s website at www.orrecparks.org for the provider Form.

Battle of the Bands – April 27th (6pm-9pm) – Civic Center.  Bands must register by April 18.  All band members must be under 21.  If bad weather is forecasted, then it will be held at the Paradox Teen Center.

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Egg Hunt in Oak Ridge on Saturday, March 31

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2012 Egg Hunt on March 31 at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event. Over 15,000 candy and prize filled eggs will be hidden in Bissell Park with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize egg in each age group. This event will be held rain or shine so participants should dress for the weather. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym.

Participants should assemble in the Civic Center gymnasium prior to 11 a.m. The children will be divided into separate age groups, 4 years through 4th grade and will be escorted to their respective hunt areas.

The Recreation and Parks Department staff will make a reasonable effort to provide appropriate accommodations for special needs. Parents of children who require a more accessible hunt area are encouraged to call ahead.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Adult volunteers, age 16 and up, are still needed to hide eggs, supervise the hunt areas and assist participants. All volunteers should be prepared to work 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the day of the event and should dress according to the weather. The first 50 volunteers to sign up will receive an event T-shirt. A pizza lunch will be served to all volunteers immediately following the event.

For more information call the Civic Center front desk at 425-3450.

Information from http://www.ci.oak-ridge.tn.us/departments/recreationparks/recreation/sponsoredevents.html#egg