By Nolan Strong
The family of J. Dilla is calling on fans to support the J Dilla Project, a new initiative designed to raise money and awareness about lupus, the disease which took the famed producer's life on February 10, 2006.
Fans are being encouraged to start their own "J Dilla Project" teams across the United States to join The Alliance for Lupus Research's annual Walkathon, which raises money and awareness to treat lupus, which is an incurable blood disease.
Frank Nitty, of Detroit rap group Frank N Dank, was a childhood, life long friend of J. Dilla. The group recently released the DVD Frank N Dank & J. Dilla's European Vacation, which chronicles the producer's last tour, as well as his final days alive.
"It's always a good thing to support a good cause and for the fans of Dilla you are not only supporting Lupus research but also the legacy of one of the greatest producers of our time, J. Dilla," Frank Nitty told AllHipHop.com. "You can't go wrong, so just go support."
J. Dilla, born James Dewitt Yancy, suffered for with Lupus for three years.
Fans are also being encouraged to sponsor individual walkers and to give donations to help further the cause of Lupus research in an attempt to find a cure for the deadly disease.
The Alliance for Lupus Research was founded in 1999 by Robert Wood Johnson IV with the support of the Arthritis Foundation.
Johnson is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and since its inception, the foundation has raised over $42 million dollars earmarked for lupus research.
Fans in almost every major metropolis in the U.S. who wish to support The J Dilla Project and ALR's Walkathon can participate, as events are taking place in New York (October 13), Chicago (October 20), Atlanta (October 20), San Francisco, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Houston and other cities.
A listing of cities fans can join or create "J Dilla Project" walking teams for ALR's Walkathon are listed below.
For more information visit: http://walk.lupusresearch.org/site/PageServer
Saturday, 10.20.07
Chicago
Check in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Walk beings at 10:00 a.m.
Rain or Shine | Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
@ Lincoln Park at Montrose Harbor
Saturday, 10.20.07
Atlanta
Check in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Walk beings at 10:00 a.m.
Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
Participants do not have to walk the entire distance to participate in
the event.
@ Piedmont Park Picnic Pavilion
Saturday, 11.03.07
San Francisco
Check in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Rain or Shine | Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
@ Justin Herman Plaza
Saturday, 11.03.07
Washington D.C.
Check in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Rain or Shine | Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
@ The National Mall
Saturday, 11.17.07
Los Angeles
Check in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Rain or Shine | Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
@ Crescent Bay Park, Santa Monica
Saturday, 11.17.07
Houston
Check in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Rain or Shine | Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
@ Jewish Community Center
