Shreveport foundation holds annual Walk to End Lupus

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - The R. Tammy Fleming Lupus Foundation held their Annual Walk to End Lupus event on Saturday, May 21, in honor of Lupus Awareness Month.

Tangela Sylvie said her cousin Tammy inspired her and her family to start the foundation after she passed away from lupus. She said their mission is to educate the community about the autoimmune disease.

“This means a lot to me because lupus is my heart. So, I’m an advocate for lupus awareness. When we started we noticed that north Louisiana didn’t have a lupus chapter. We wanted to get something started just to raise awareness in north Louisiana,” said Sylvie.

Tammy’s daughter, Ambrojhae Jones, said the foundation is there to show support for those with the disorder.

“I can just speak from someone’s mother who suffered from it and was affected by it. So, I know how difficult that is. This organization is here for them in whatever ways they need. If they need community, if they need support, they’re here for it,” she said.

Dozens of people attended to show their support and donate to the cause. Latisha Taylor was diagnosed with lupus in 2006. She said this walk is personal for her.

“A Lupus person, everyday to get up is a fight. It’s a struggle. Somedays you don’t want to be bothered, some days you want to be by yourself. So, if you don’t have it, you don’t know what the struggle is,” she said.

The walk took place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Columbia Park. Eddie Spencer provided the musical entertainment for the day.

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