Join the ABDA for the 2011  Walk for Behçet's Disease Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:00am (Registration begins at 9:30am) Eisenhower Park - Field 1 East Meadow, New York

Can't attend the walk?
Click here to DONATE or SPONSOR A PARTICIPANT now!

Join us for a day of fresh air, plenty of exercise, some entertainment and the company of good friends. All for a good cause... the fight against Behçet’s Disease.

REGISTER ON-LINE RIGHT NOW!

Register before July 1 for $25
($30 after July 1st)

Even if you can't join us...you can still help us!
Click here to find out how

Working towards a cure-- one step at a time.
Behcet’s Disease is a very rare, painful and debilitating disease. It is estimated that there are 15,000-20,000 diagnosed cases in the U.S. It is considered an autoimmune disease much like Lupus and MS, however it can and does affect all organs of the body. A great number of Behcet’s patients suffer from arthritis, ulcers, hearing loss, and eventually blindness. While the exact cause of Behcet’s disease is unknown, we are striving every day to create awareness that will help sufferers get diagnosed earlier.

This three mile walk around Eisenhower Park will be the first annual Walk for Behcet’s Disease. This event is sponsored by the American Behcet’s Disease Association who’s goal is to heighten awareness while helping to raise critically needed funding for research. By funding events such as the ABDA National Conference - which brings together doctor’s from all over the country to share valuable knowledge about Behcet’s - the Association gets a few steps closer to their goals of awareness, research, cure and prevention.

Registered walkers can walk individually or form a team. You can walk as far as you want to because what you collect is a donation - not a sponsorship by the mile. Let us not forget the fact that many Behcet’s patients and their families will be together. Let’s show our support by walking with them or for them at this worthwhile event. Invite your friends and family to walk as well - this is not a common event, and it only happens once a year. Join us for music, prizes, and refreshments - and feel good about yourself for joining in the crusade to raise awareness about Behcet’s Disease.

To celebrate this event, every registered walker will receive a t-shirt at the walk (while supplies last). You will also be able to purchase ABDA logo items, books on Behcet’s, and more while gaining lots of important information about Behcet’s Disease.

Register for FREE EVENTS!
This year we are proud to be offering two free events for our registered walkers:

1. Current Treatment Options for Behcet's Disease
   5:00 - 6:30pm Saturday, September 17th at the Marriott of Uniondale
   A FREE talk given by Dr. Yusuf Yazici of the Behcet's Syndrome Center of NYC.
   
2. The ABDA Welcome Party
   The ABDA is hosting a welcome party for all of it's members and registered walkers directly following the talk. Please join us for hors d'oeuvres & refreshments while meeting new friends in the Behcet's Community and sharing memories with some old friends!

Collect Donations and Win Prizes!
You can collect donations from co-workers, friends, family members, and neighbors. Contact your company about “company matching” to help increase your valuable donations. Use the Sponsor Form to track your donations (part of the Walk Registration Package) and print the Walk Flyer and post it in your home, office, etc. so that people will ask your about it (and make it easier for you to ask for donations). Please e-mail this flyer to everyone you know, and post it in your local supermarket or library. Any bit of awareness helps - even if you can't attend the walk - raising aware ness is something ANYONE can do!

Remember, even if you can't join us the day of the walk, we still need your support in collecting donations to "sponsor" a walker who is. It doesn't matter who - so let the people you ask know that they are sponsoring all those who are donating their time to benefit this worthwile cause. You or they can donate to the general walk fund simply by choosing "GENERAL DONATION"on the registration site.

You can also register for the walk - even if you can't attend. This way you can set up your own page with pictures and words and collect donations to support the cause. Remember to check this option (that you can't attend) during your Individual Registration so that we can send you a T-shirt for your efforts!

While we urge you to send all contributions in with your early registration form and fee, we will also be taking donations on the day of the walk. Please convert all cash to a check made payable to the “ABDA”.
While every registered walker receives a t-shirt at the event, you also have a chance to win several prizes during raffles that will be held right before the walk. For every $50 you raise in donations, you will receive one raffle ticket. Increase your chances to win prizes by collecting more donations today! We will also be giving a prize to the supporters with the highest donations!

Form a Team
A team is a group of five or more members that work (and walk) together to raise money for Behcet's Disease. Led by a captain, each team builds a sense of camaraderie and spirit while they work toward goals. The captain of the team is responsible for recruiting members, supplying forms (printable below), and creating goals for their team. Teams are also eligible for special prizes - so form a team today!

Printable Forms
Everything you need is right here. If you don't have Adobe's Acrobat Reader (free software for viewing PDFs), download it first. Then you can print what you need to make your walk participation a success. If you have trouble downloading these PDFs, you can e-mail jnuzzo@behcets.com to have them sent to you,

Click here for the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader (for printing the below forms)

• Click here to view and print the Walk Registration Package 
  (This includes the flyer, a small poster, registration form and donation sheet)\
• Click here to view and print the WALK FLYER.
  (PLEASE Print and post, or e-mail to everyone you know!)
• Click here to download:    Participant "How To" Brochure - PDF
• Click here to download:    Team Captain "How To" Brochure - PDF
• Click here to download:    Address Import Instructions Brochure - PDF

Directions

From the West (NYC):
Long Island Expressway to Exit 38 (Northern State Parkway). Take Northern State Parkway to Exit 31A (Meadowbrook Parkway). Go South on Meadowbrook Pkwy to Exit M3 (Stewart Avenue). Left on Stewart Ave (East) and take to Merrick Avenue (do not enter the park at this intersection. Make a right on Merrick Avenue and proceed to parking Field 1 on the left.

From the East (Eastern Long Island):
Northern State Parkway to Exit 32 (Post Avenue South). Take Post Avenue South (becomes Merrick Avenue) . Turn left into Eisenhower Park at parking Field 1 (past the first park entrance at Stewart Ave).

From the South:
Southern State Parkway to Exit 22N. Go north on Meadowbrook Parkway to Exit M3 (Stewart Avenue). Take Stewart Avenue East to Merrick Avenue (do not enter the park at this intersection. Make a right on Merrick Avenue and proceed to parking Field 1 on the left..

Discounted Hotel
Below is the Host Hotel. Please mention "ABDA" when making reservations to get our discounted rate.

-CLICK LOGO FOR WEBSITE -
LI Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
101 James Doolittle Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11553
Phone: 1-516-794-3800
Fax: 1-516-794-5936

To get $149 room rate
USE "GROUP RESERVATION CODE": abcabca
when using the online reservation system.
OR CALL 1-800 -228-9290 and ask for the "American Behcets" Room Block
You must book by August 25th to get this rate.

Alternate Transportation
If you choose, there are several alternate ways to get to the walk.

• Click here to get information about Ferry Service to Long Island.
• Click here to get information about Train & Bus Service in New York.
• Click here to get information about the Westbury Train Station.
  (Including schedules from NYC's Penn Station, Local Taxi information, etc.