EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Woody Johnson is one of the least publicized owners in the NFL. He

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Woody Johnson is one of the least publicized owners in the NFL. He doesn't hold weekly news conference during the season the way Jerry Jones has done. He doesn't challenge the league in court, like Al Davis.
Since taking over the New York Jets in 2000, Johnson generally has avoided headlines.
Yet, on Sunday, he'll welcome all the attention he can get as he participates in the Lupus Awareness Walkathon at Giants Stadium.
Johnson will sponsor his own team and participate in the walkathon he hopes will raise more than a half-million dollars for research into treating the immune system disease. Already, through the Alliance for Lupus Research he founded in 1999, more than $24 million has been raised.
"We focus 100 percent of the money on treatment, a cure or prevention of lupus," said Johnson, who became involved in fund-raising because a family member was diagnosed with the disease six years ago. "I was then the chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes research foundation, and I knew what kind of organization it takes to make a difference in supporting research. When I looked around, what was going on with lupus, a major disease, there was virtually no money being raised for lupus.
"We've now made substantial progress in fighting lupus."
So much so that scientists who previously were fortunate to receive $50,000 in research grants now get an average of $500,000 in two years. If they show substantial progress in their work, they can get a boost to $1 million.
Johnson has taken such a hands-on approach that he has spoken with the Food and Drug Administration about encouraging biotech companies to look into lupus research. He's also encouraged several Jets players to participate in the walkathon, with thousands of people expected to gather at the 50-yard line in Giants Stadium -- what Johnson calls "a perfect venue."
"I will get my own team," he said. "You get an envelope that is called a sponsor list and you charge a minimum amount, say $100 to be a walk sponsor. Then you fund-raise.
"We're hoping to raise more than $500,000 on this. It is raised in small amounts; you can come out and pay $10, spend a few hours doing something worthy to cure lupus. It develops the grass roots and you raise money and let people know we are on the case."
Lupus turns the body's immune defense system against its own healthy tissues, in some cases attacking the kidneys and other vital organs. Many people afflicted also develop severe arthritis.
Its symptoms can be treated with steroids and chemotherapy, but there is no cure.
Francine Katz, a New Jersey attorney, was diagnosed with lupus at age 15. Through medication and medical care, her lupus is under control and she lives a full, active life.
She is thankful for influential people such as Johnson taking a leading role in fighting the disease.
"I was diagnosed 20 years ago and hardly anything has changed in those 20 years," Katz said. "Woody is right there in the trenches with you. It's very inspiring to people like me and it makes you want to do that much more. He's a regular guy working like anyone else to help find a cure for this."
ALR's inaugural walkathon was held in November in Washington and drew 800 walkers and 60 teams. It raised more than $130,000. Others are planned in a variety of locations from Florida to Minnesota.
It's only the beginning, Johnson promised.
"We will have thousands of people around the country walking, but it is the celebrities and the media reports and the advocates, it will take that kind of massive effort to really get the squeaky wheel going," he says. "These people have been ignored too long."