"NFA vs. Lupus International in Drag Race"
Friday, July 21, 2006

Press Release

National Fibromyalgia Association vs. Lupus International

Two drag race teams compete in “good old match” to raise awareness and funds

IRWINDALE, Calif----21 July 2006---- The National Fibromyalgia Association’s official drag race team, Purple Reign Racing, competed in a “good old match” with the Blodgett Family Racing team representing Lupus International, Inc. last Thursday, July 20 at the Irwindale Dragstrip. This was the first time that the NFA and Purple Reign Racing have partnered with another organization for this type of event. The goal of the two teams was to raise both awareness and funds for their respective organizations and the illnesses they represent.

The Blodgett Team won the winning purse of $2,000 donated by Starting Gate Restaurant in Los Alamitos, California.

But, Randy Wold of the Purple Reign Racing Team said “a good time was had by all” despite the first time loss. “We had fun, and a lot of people left the race knowing about fibromyalgia and lupus, and that was our main goal.”

“We hope this is just the first of many exciting joint efforts by these two teams and with Lupus International,” said Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association. “We’re also very grateful for the time and support of the drivers of both teams to help raise awareness of fibromyalgia and lupus.”

Jill Williams, Services Coordinator of Lupus International, Inc., echoes Matallana’s sentiments. “Lupus and fibromyalgia are two illnesses that don’t get much attention, and we hope this race will bring recognition and better understanding for both of our organization’s efforts.”

Purple Reign Racing team is led by Randy Wold, who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2001. Wold is also a board member of the National Fibromyalgia Association. Wold is also on the newest cover of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine with his niece, Kassy Pinegar who is raising funds her own way for fibromyalgia. Wold has also been a strong and active proponent of combating the myth that fibromyalgia is “a woman’s illness.”

“Even though we competed against each other in this race, both our teams have the same goal of wanting to spread the word about these two illnesses that can be very debilitating,” said Mike Blodgett of the Blodgett Family Racing. Mike’s wife, Beth has lupus, and the family joined Lupus International in raising public awareness of the chronic autoimmune system disease through the creation of the Lupus Race For Life in 2005.

Both Wold and Blodgett said they believe that people affected by these illnesses can either “sit back and be a victim or you can do something to help.”

For more information on the National Fibromyalgia Association, visit http://www.fmaware.org/ or call 714-921-0150. For more information on Lupus International, visit http://www.lupusinternational.com/ or call 949-833-2121.

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