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April 2022 

A Letter from the President

Lupus Awareness Month is upon us.  May is the time of year the lupus community comes together to increase lupus awareness and educate our own communities about this complicated, unpredictable and life-changing disease.

This year, we invite you to publicly thank the health care professionals in your life that have made a difference.  

Complete this form and we will send the individual you are recognizing an official thank you from the LSI.  You can send a note anonymously or personalized.  Donations are welcome but not required.

Also new this year, LSI's Fact of the Day will be read by a lupus champion!  Fact of the Day videos will be posted on social media.  Be sure to share them with everyone you know!

Read below for new ways we're celebrating Lupus Awareness Month.

Our Illinois Lupus Walks are coming up!  the date for the Southern Suburbs Walk will be announced soon.  The Western Suburbs Walk is set for August 13th and the Chicago Walk & Fun Run is on September 18th.

Our Illinois Lupus Walks keep our mission funded!  We couldn't provide educational events without the success of the Walks.  We have a GREAT line-up of educational events - be sure to check them out and register!

And we are grateful for YOUR support as well.

Together we make a difference.

Mary

Introducing a NEW column
Should People with Lupus...

know about FDA approved lupus nephritis drugs?

There are now two FDA approved drugs to treat lupus nephritis.  An estimated 50% of people living with SLE will have kidney involvement - knowing the available drugs is important.

FULL ARTICLE

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Ben Small, M.D.

Lupus, Anxiety & Depression
Thursday, October 13, 2022 | 6:30pm

Most people with lupus report symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some studies report rates of depression and anxiety twice as high in people with lupus as compared to the general population.  

Join us for this important presentation.

 

Alexandra Katz Small, M.D.

Lupus & Fibromyalgia
Thursday, November 10, 2022 | 6:30pm

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that can occur alone or secondary to connective tissue disorders such as lupus. Studies suggest that about 25% of people who have lupus also have fibromyalgia.  It is important for people who have lupus to learn about fibromyalgia because symptoms of both conditions can be similar, but the treatments are different. 

Presented by Dr. Alexandra Katz Small

 

Save the Dates!

La Sociedad de Lupus de Illinois te puede ayudar
21 junio 2022  |   6:00—8:00 PM
 Presentado por John Martinez M.Ed, BSN, RN
Registro: 6:00pm  |  Se inicia el evento: 6:30pm
Casa Michoacán
1638 S. Blue Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608

Bringing the Fight to Lupus Nephritis
Educational Web Meeting
Thursday, July 28, 2022  |  6:00pm - 7:00pm
Presented by:  Dr. Alvin F. Wells

 

LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH 

 

Let's celebrate our Health Care Professionals during Lupus Awareness Month!

Lupus Awareness Month is a great time to recognize the healthcare professional in your life who has made a difference!

This year, we invite you to say "thank you" to healthcare professionals!

Tell us your health professional's name and contact information and we will forward your comment on to them!

SHARE YOUR STORY!

 

VIKTORIA CUPAY: LUPUS WARRIOR, TIKTOK MACRO-INFLUENCER & PUBLIC HEALTH STUDENT

I feel like I had to choose a different path in life because of lupus. I had to drop out of school twice because of my flare-ups, but that did not stop me from going back to school. I had to switch my career plans from nursing to public health due to complications from lupus. There are many things I cannot do because of lupus.
For example, I only do some of my chores in a day because I get tired easily. My choices are limited by it.

Read Full Story

Celebrate Lupus Awareness Month - share your story!

Fact of the Day - VIDEO EDITION!

This year, learn about lupus - and meet lupus champions in the process!  We've asked some of our greatest volunteers to read a lupus fact of the day and share some of their lupus expeirences with us!

Videos are posted daily to social media.

More Lupus Awareness Month 

Download flyers, get ideas and more! Check out our web page.

ILLINOIS LUPUS WALKS

Southern Suburbs Lupus Walk &
Cruisin' for Lupus

Postponed!
Prairie State College
9:00am - Fun Begins

2022 Western Suburbs Lupus Walk
August 13, 2022
Naperville Riverwalk, Grand Pavilion
9:00am – Registration Begins
10:00am – Walk Steps Off
 

2022 Chicago Illinois Lupus Walk
& Fun Run

September 18, 2022
Rowing Lagoon – Lincoln Park
8:30am – Registration Begins
10:00am – Walk Steps Off

lupus Walk season has officially begun!  And we want you to join us - safely.

Here at Lupus Society of Illinois, our number one priority is to keep our employees, volunteers, and community safe.  For the last two years, we have hosted webinars and virtual activities.  We are excited to host LIVE Lupus Walk events!

And now we'd like to invite you, your families, and network of friends and colleagues to join in some fun and creativity by building your own personal fundraising pages for the Illinois Lupus Walks. 

Funds raised at the Lupus Walks go directly toward LSI's mission - like our upcoming Educational Events!

LUPUS CHARITY RUNNERS

 
 

Are you running the
Bank of America Chicago Marathon?

Join
Lupus Charity Runners!

Since 2007, LSI has had a team in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  We are so proud of our runners and honored by the runners who have joined our team over and over again!  

If you have a spot in the race, join Lupus Charity Runners and get ALL of the benefits with NO fundraising minimum!

When you run for Lupus Charity Runners, we are with you every step of the way!  Team members get:

  • Training to help you complete the Bank of America Chicago Marathon safely!
  • 2 tickets to the pre-marathon pasta party!  
  • LSI Water Bottle + goodies! 
  • Lupus Charity Runner singlet! 
  • Additional fundraising incentives for exceeding your goal! 
  • Receive personalized fundraising webpage to help you reach your fundraising goal!
  • LCR fundraising guide, creative tips and one-on-one assistance to help you reach your goal! 
  • Exhilaration of doing good for others while doing well for yourself! 

2022 LUPUS WALK COMMITTES FORMING!

Don't miss this opportunity to leave your footprint on the 2022 Lupus Walks!

Here at LSI we are getting excited for the 2022 WALKS!!! We are looking for volunteers to join our walk committees. We will have a South suburban, Naperville, and Chicago walk. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Lisa at lisa@lupusil.org or 312-542-0006. Together we can make a difference. #lupus #lupusawareness #LSIcommunity #joinacommittee #💜

SUPPORT GROUP UPDATE

New Year Support Group Meeting Dates Listed

Ever thought of joining a Lupus Support Group?  Start planning now!  Groups are virtual and some meet in person.  Our Support Group Leaders are Lupus Warriors.

Please contact Lisa at lisa@lupusil.org or 312-542-0006 to find the group that best fits your schedule. Click here for a link to LSI's volunteer run Support Groups!

COVID-19 RESOURCES & UPDATES

The LSI has led the lupus community through the COVID-19 crisis by providing expert educational information and providing factual information, including hosting 3 COVID-19 & the Lupus Community Web meetings with leading lupus doctors. You can watch the educational event below and the COVID-19 webpage here.

Click the image to access the Web Meeting with Dr. Ramsey-Goldman

Click the image to access the Web Meeting with Dr. Jolly

Click the image to access the Web Meeting with Dr. Katz

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Team Gayla's Gang

Fatigue & Lupus

A major problem for people living with lupus is fatigue – chronic debilitating fatigue that significantly decreases quality of life and increases the risk of work disability.

How does someone manage fatigue?  Finding strategies that work for you and for lupus patients in general is the purpose of the Lupus Intervention Fatigue Trial (LIFT).  

 

312-542-0002 | info@lupusil.org 
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