By Maddy Albert

Change can start small, and it can start in your own community. Joining BHS senior Olivia Norstein’s team for The Walk to End Lupus Now is small action that can have a big impact. The Walk to End Lupus Now is to raise money for research on Systemic Lupus Erythematosis. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Patients are put on treatments such as anti-malarial drugs, chemotherapy, and prednisone, all which have strong side affects and don’t technically cure the disease.

Norstein herself was diagnosed with lupus, which is what mainly inspired her to start her own team. “The disease itself is really mysterious. It’s hard to diagnose, and we need to raise awareness so that more money can be focused on more research. A cure is necessary.” Norstein said that it means the world to her to have the support of people at school. The more people on the team, the bigger our impact: that’s where you come in.

The Walk to End Lupus Now will be on Saturday, May 18 at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan. For more information and to sign up for the walk, go to: http://www.lupus.donotpages.com/newyork2013/FightLikeAWolf/. You can also contact Olivia on Facebook with any questions or speak with Ms. Cotnoir. Hope to see you there!