From left, Erin Wintermantel, Curtis Letcavage, Martin Wintermantel and Nancy Wintermantel get ready for their first run of the afternoon during Ski for Lupus Day at Elk Mountain Ski Resort on Sunday. TIMES-SHAMROCK PHOTO/LAURA LEGERE
BY LAURA LEGERE
Times-Shamrock Writer
Hundreds of people had a good reason to go skiing on Sunday during Ski for Lupus Day atElkMountain.
The annual event organized by the northeast branch of the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania raises awareness and funds for people with the autoimmune disease.
“All of the funds go to support lupus education and services for local lupus patients,” the branch’s development director, Susan Stopper, said. Money is also dedicated to lupus research.
Two hundred skiers and snowboarders bought discounted half-day lift tickets in advance, then bundled up for the flurries Sunday afternoon.
“We sold out last week,” Stopper said. “It’s been a great success.”
At an information table in the ski lodge, the foundation also sold handmade scarves knitted by a volunteer.
“It fits with the scene,” Stopper said. “In case somebody forgot theirs.”
Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that can cause severe damage to the body, including the skin, joints, blood, kidneys, heart and brain.
Mollie Cosgrove of Scranton was part of a group of six people who made their first trip of the season to the slopes for the fundraiser.
“It’s for a good cause,” she said.
Nancy Wintermantel ofScranton, who came skiing with her family for the fundraiser, knew the repercussions of lupus because of her work at a dialysis unit where lupus patients with failing kidneys go for treatment.
“It’s a terrible disease,” she said. “It takes maintenance and an awful lot of care all your life.”
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