Rhode Island's Walk for PI is Sunday at City Park

Posted 9/5/19

Rhode Island’s only Walk for PI will be making its debut this Sunday, September 8th right in Warwick City Park, kicking off with a registration at 8:30 a.m. 

After a 9:45 a.m. welcoming …

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Rhode Island's Walk for PI is Sunday at City Park

Posted

Rhode Island’s only Walk for PI will be making its debut this Sunday, September 8th right in Warwick City Park, kicking off with a registration at 8:30 a.m. 

After a 9:45 a.m. welcoming ceremony, the walk itself will begin at 10 and last for approximately one mile.

The Walk for PI hopes to raise public awareness and support for primary immunodeficiency (PI) diseases, which impact approximately 500,000 people in the United States. A genetic, non-contagious disease that impacts the body’s ability to fight off infection, PI is comprised of over 200 individual diseases.

Lois Crudden, the walk’s organizer, aims to bring inclusivity to the Ocean State for those who need it; no actual walking is required if participants are unable. Instead, attendees can participate in a 50/50 raffle for prizes and gift baskets, as well as a bake sale, and may stay to cheer on walkers as they make the trek across the park. Tickets will also be available on sale for the Boscov’s Preview Gala at Providence Place Mall on September 26th, for $5 each.

“I know that Mayor Joseph Solomon will be there, and some doctors throughout the state like pulmonologist Dr. Thomas Raimondo will also be there,” said Crudden.

Several medical companies, including Takeda, CSL Behring, Grifols, Horizon, and Octopharma, will have representatives present at the walk to answer questions about products they offer in regard to treating PI. 

Crudden lives with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) and has been a volunteer with the Immune Deficiency Foundation for five years. She hopes the walk will engage the Rhode Island community in PI activism and fund research that will aid doctors in developing new treatment methods. “We need plasma donations to places like CSL Plasma, because right now we’re facing a shortage” says Crudden. “Anyone who donates plasma is giving me life. Me, and the thousands of people that depend on this treatment. We need more plasma donors.”

“Team Mikey,” a group of supporters rallying around Michael Mollis, will be attending the walk alongside Michael himself and his family. Michael, a four and a half year old from North Kingstown, has recently begun the journey of preparing for a bone marrow transplant that will help to improve his severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). His mother Jeanette Mollis urges anyone that wants to help with PI to, “donate to PI or another group as soon as possible. Every donation matters and can be live saving.” The impact of PI on all members of the population, regardless of age or gender, is something the walk hopes to educate the public on.

The walk will end at 11:15 a.m. with a brief closing ceremony. While the exact number is unknown, Crudden estimates nearly 40 participants are already registered for Sunday’s walk. 

Donations to support PI research and treatment can be made online at www.walkforpi.org/warwick/loiscrudden. 

Want to volunteer, or purchase a Boscov’s Gala ticket directly? Contact Lois Crudden at rois_1914@yahoo.com or (401) 732-5677.

As of press time, the online fundraiser has reached $2,736.17 to support the Immune Deficiency Foundation.

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  • Justanidiot

    dey walks for 3.14159 miles

    Tuesday, September 10, 2019 Report this