Australian Geoff Thomas to Complete 9,000 Mile Lap Around America Sunday in NYC

There have been many "walks across America" or similar rides to raise awareness for causes or disease, but none like the one Geoff Thomas is on. The Lupus Foundation of America has announced that Australian Geoff Thomas and his "lap around the United States", is the first campaign of its kind and is justifiably proud. Thomas has been on a five-month bicycle trip to every corner of the U.S. to raise awareness for lupus, a chronic disease that over five million people, including himself. He finishes his lap Sunday, September 30, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Geoff Thomas has traveled across the vast American landscape, through 28 states and over 9,000 miles. He began his trip in New York City in April and has a website so friends and family can keep up with his journey. Photos and a journal he kept on the way can be seen there. He eventually plans to write about his experience in America. Thomas has traveled extensively and done another cross-country bike ride, in Australia in 2003. At that time he rode 3,100 miles from coast to coast.

The bicyclist was diagnosed with a rare form of lupus affecting the skin in 2003, so the ride is personally important to him. He wanted to raise awareness of the disease because it is relatively unknown, especially among men, who account for only 10 percent of people afflicted. That this disease is so little known but is responsible for thousands of death each year makes any awareness campaigns, even from one unknown Australian, a needed and welcome effort.

Thomas is raising money for The Lupus Foundation of America and The Alliance for Lupus Research during his lap around the states. Dozens of other charities having to do with lupus and related diseases have become sponsors of the trip as well.

Lupus is the commonly used name for systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissues. The resulting inflammation often harms joints, skin, lungs, liver, blood vessels, nervous system, kidneys and the heart. Lupus can develop at any age, although it is more often in women of non-European descent. It is an unpredictable disease that comes and goes in periods of "flares" and remission. There is no cure, so symptoms must be managed with corticosteroids and immunosuppresants. The Lupus Foundation of America sponsors many walks throughout the year, and a bill is currently before Congress and the Senate that would expand Lupus awareness, education, and research.

Source:

Lupus Foundation of America, Bicyclist Will Conclude 9,000 Mile Lap Around the U.S. on Sunday in New York City, PR Newswire