A two-woman pit crew prepared for a big race in Nay Aug Park on Sunday.
Armed with an air pump, Kara Bruch, 36, and Nikki Mimnaugh, 38, made sure the tires on a stroller containing Ms. Bruch's 18-month-old son, Aaron, were ready for a 5K trek. The women donned matching Lupus Loop long-sleeved shirts for the 5K Run/Walk.
"It's something to benefit the people that suffer with a disease that is life altering and incurable," Ms. Bruch said. Noting that her sister was diagnosed with lupus four years ago, she added, "It's a great way to show support."
It was the first year since being diagnosed that her sister, Rachelle Renken, 40, could join her family for the walk.
"Just being able to participate is awesome," Ms. Renken said, standing alongside her mother, Joy Foulkes, 60, before the event.
The autoimmune disease affects everyone differently, she said, noting that previously she was lucky to be able to leave her home.
"People don't understand it," she said. "They think you look healthy."
The Lupus Loop 5K Run/Walk is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Pocono Northeast Branch of the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, raising more than $10,000 Sunday, according to events coordinator Sarah Piccini, 27, of Greenfield Twp.
"There's a really dedicated following of family members of people who either have lupus or who have passed away," she said of the more than 250 runners.
The disease, which is characterized by intense, flu-like and crippling, arthritic symptoms, is the body's fight against itself, Ms. Piccini explained.
Family and friends were joined by many canine companions at the event Sunday, like small, sandy-colored, 3-year-old Sam, who wore a Lupus Loop bandanna.
"He runs better than we do," his owner, Bob O'Boyle, 30, joked.
Mr. O'Boyle and his wife, Lois, 31, made the trip from Maryland to support his older sister Kelly Hoover, who was diagnosed with lupus in 2000.
"I've always wanted to run this for her because she can't do it," Mr. O'Boyle said, adding that his sister's symptoms prevent her from walking most of the course. "It's really for her in every sense of the phrase."
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter