Dear Friend, Happy (almost) New Year! 2019 – we are ready for you! LSI already has events planned for 2019 – the 13th Annual Empowering Lupus Patients Educational Event is open for registration. We'll have presentations from a Laughologist and an Aromatherapist – in keeping with our goal of providing information to help YOU live well with lupus. Also, really big news, the 2019 Illinois Lupus Walks are up and running! You can register today and get started raising awareness and funds. We have some new incentive prizes (stay tuned for that announcement soon) and new plans for team captains. You definitely don't want to miss the 2019 walks. We also published the winners of the 2018 Hit Me With Your Best Shot photo contest! You'll see the winners below and on many of our marketing materials! Thanks to everyone who submitted a photo and voted. This popular contest will be back in 2019! Walks are a great fundraiser but they are also a terrific opportunity to increase lupus awareness. Every walk has an ambassador. Walk ambassadors share their story with the world in hopes of educating the public about lupus. In a world where so many don't understand this complex disease, this is incredibly brave. We'll be announcing the 2019 Lupus Walk Ambassadors in the coming weeks. We have announced the first recipient of the LSI Butterfly Hero Award – Kay Mimms! If you've been to an LSI event, you've probably met Kay and her husband Cecil. There is neither a more dedicated volunteer – nor a more deserving one – in the lupus community. We'll be announcing future recipeints of the Butterfly Hero Award – and you can nominate someone you know – here. LSI also celebrated our Support Group leaders at a luncheon! Our Support Group leaders dedicate so much of their time and talent to our mission - we are so grateful to recognize them. This year, we are an official charity for the Chicago Spring Half Marathon! If you've ever wanted to join Lupus Charity Runners but thought a full marathon was too much – this event is for you! See below for more information on the half marathon, Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Finally, as we look to 2019, we want to thank YOU for all you have done. Without you, LSI would not be able to provide the outstanding programs and services to our constituents. Thank you! There are still a few days left to make a tax-deductible gift to the LSI. We hope you'll continue to support our important work in Illinois. And we look forward to seeing you in 2019! Happy Holidays! Mary | 
