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April 2023 

A Letter from the President

I hope this email finds you well and safe.

Spring has just about sprung and for us in the lupus community, that means Lupus Awareness Month!  We have everything you need to educate your community about lupus.  Posters, flyers and facts of the day are all back for another exciting year.

New this year: a Social Media Trivia contest - the winner receives an LSI sweatshirt, $20 Target gift card and earpods!

Find out how to get more involved on our Lupus Awareness Month page, here.

Our Illinois Lupus Walks are coming up.  Illinois Lupus Walks are a great way to raise awareness about lupus and support LSI's mission.  We are looking forward to the team t-shirt contests, DJ Rick, and the entire lupus community coming together! We look forward to seeing you there.

There's still time to join a Lupus Walk committee, too (contact lisa@lupusil.org).  

Thanks to everyone for joining us for the Empowering Lupus Patient Educational Event!  This event included three presentations by expert presenters.  Find notes from the event here.

We are still looking for your memories!  As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, we want to hear from you!  take a moment to share your recollections with us online here or post it on social media using #LSI50!

In 50 years, we've come so far.  Together, we've made a difference.

Mary 

Lupus Warrior Wednesday
Kimberly Wilson

My name is Kimberly Wilson. I’m best described as charismatic, woman of faith, and an optimistic Lupus Warrior!

I enjoy creative writing, photography, watching football, taking walks, volunteering, and sending daily motivational posts to family and friends. 

Read Kimberly Wilson's story here!

LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH

 

Lupus Awareness Month is the time of year when the lupus community takes time to educate their families, workplaces and neighborhoods about lupus. Education can be as modest as sending an email to your friends and family about lupus to organizing a Lupus Awareness Day at your office. We encourage you to get creative as you raise awareness about this often misunderstood disease.

We have a Social Media trivia game - resulting in a GRAND PRIZE - two Facbook live educational presentations and MORE!

Check out our Lupus Awareness Month Page here!

 

EDUCATIONAL EVENT WRAP UP

 

Empowering Lupus Patient Educational Event
Saturday, April 15, 2023  |  9:30am-1:30pm

On Saturday, April 15th, LSI hosted the annual Empowering Lupus Patient Educational Event.  The event included three presentations, two sponsors, multiple breaks and dozens of participants!

If you weren't able to attend, you can see some of the handouts from the event on our website here.  Photos from the event can  be seen on our Flickr page.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Aurinia and GSK!

 

CONGRATULATIONS KAY MIMMS

Kay Mimms & Zeta Zeta Chapter President Tiffany S Clemmons

 

The Janice Gnatt Kissner Award is named for the 17th Past International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and member of Zeta Zeta Chapter, which serves the village of Dolton, IL and surrounding

Chicagoland communities. As part of Finer Womanhood Month observance, Zeta Zeta Chapter bestows this award  to honor women or women-led organizations who are empowering their communities in the areas of Civics, Education, Business/Economics, and Youth through service. These women and/or organizations must be nominated by peers or community members for consideration and are carefully vetted before being selected. Congratulations to Kay Mimms and this year's honorees!

 

ILLINOIS LUPUS WALKS - REGISTER TODAY!

Western Suburbs Lupus Walk
Naperville - August 12, 2023
9:00am – Registration
10:00am – Walk Starts

Chicago Walk & Fun Run  
Lincoln Park - September 30, 2023 
8:30am – Registration
10:00am – Walk Starts

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Fond Memories

I was honored to be named Northern Suburbs Lupus Walk Ambassador for 2019. My husband bought me a crown to wear for the walk 👑 which made me feel extra special. I also had a good walk team with me in support. 

I had prepared a speech to tell the walkers and volunteers about my lupus journey and my involvement with The Lupus Society of Illinois. I was so nervous I was shaking. I got through it and then went on to the walk. It was a great day. ☺️

Share your own memories on Social Media (use #LSI50) or on our website here.

LUPUS CHARITY RUNNERS

Are you Running the
Bank of America Chicago Marathon?
Join Lupus Charity Runners!

All of our RUNNERS receive the following benefits:

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! 

CREATIVE FUNDRAISING

 

Join iGive today (for free) via this link: https://www.iGive.com/LupusSocietyofIllinoi When you login & shop their 2,000+ stores (think Chewy, Walmart, Expedia and so many more), we'll earn donations!

Click here for more.

 

Donate unused gift cards online. You can now exchange your unused or partially used gift cards to benefit

Click here for more.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

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).  

MORE

Lupus Clinical Trial Opportunity

If you have lupus, you may qualify.  
• Do you have active lupus that is not responding to your current medications?
• Are you between the ages of 18-65?
If so, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial testing if a new type of cellular therapy is effective and safe in treating active lupus.

MORE

SUPPORT GROUP UPDATE

New 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!

 

312-542-0002 | info@lupusil.org 
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