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July 2021  

A Letter from the President

I hope this email finds you well and safe and enjoying summer!

Don't forget to register for tonight's educational event - Managing Lupus!

The event is FREE and VIRTUAL!  We hope you can join us!

We are SOOO excited about our upcoming Lupus Walk on August 14th!

This will be our FIRST live walk since before COVID-19 and we are so excited to see everyone!

Registration for the Lupus Walk is open and like previous years, everyone registered gets an official t-shirt!

This year, registered participants can also enter some great contests!

Below you can read the latest article review from Dr. Katz, our Board Chair!  You can also find out about our Support Groups and see pictures from the 3rd Annual Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Inc Golf Outing benefiting the LSI!  

We are so grateful for the continued support of you and all of our donors!

There's a lot to get through in this enewsletter - we hope you enjoy it and that we'll see you soon!

Together we make a difference!

Mary 

 
 

Want Help Registering for the Walk?

Watch this instructional video!

Want Help Customizing your Walk Page?

Watch this instructional video!

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Managing Lupus

 

REGISTER FOR TONIGHT!
Managing Lupus
July 29, 2021 - 6:00pm - Web Meeting

This presentation includes tools to manage your lupus in your everyday life.  Practical tips will be discussed that may help you live with lupus - no matter how long you've lived with lupus.

Registration required for web meeting access.

Introduction to Lupus & Lupus Nephritis

 

Introduction to Lupus & Lupus Nephritis
September 23, 2021 - 6:00pm - Web Meeting

We’ll talk about some of the basics of lupus, while focusing on systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, and lupus nephritis, one potential complication of lupus that involves the kidneys.

Registration required for web meeting access.

 

Watch Past Educational Events!

ILLINOIS LUPUS WALK 

Lupus Walk & Grand Finale
Aug 14, 2021
Naperville Riverwalk| Naperville, IL
9am-festivities begin | 10am- Walk steps off 
Click Here for Directions!
 

Live Lupus Walk on August 14!!!

We hope you can join us on August 14, 2021 in Naperville for this year's FIRST and ONLY LIVE Lupus Walk! 
•    Remember DJ Rick?  He's back! 
•    Remember the raffle?  It's back! 
•    Remember beautiful Naperville?  We're back! 
And we're better than before!  We have ONLINE CONTESTS with AWESOME PRIZES! 

We have #Contests on social media - so many ways to win! 
We have fun tents and fun people ready to welcome you back to the lupus community! 

We hope you can join us and register today! 

LUPUS RESEARCH UPDATE

 

Dr. Robert Katz, Chair LSI BOD

Europe has now approved the use of Benlysta to treat children with lupus: ARTICLE REVIEW

Europe has now approved the use of Benlysta to treat children with lupus. Benlysta has the generic name belimumab. The “mab” at the end indicates it is a monoclonal antibody. That means it is a special antibody that is manufactured to antagonize some substance, and in this case it is called B-lymphocyte stimulator or B-cell activating factor. So Benlysta works against this B-lymphocyte stimulator protein.

B-lymphocyte stimulator is a substance that is present in lymphocyte white blood cells called B-cells that participate in the production of autoimmune antibodies associated with lupus. Autoimmune means that the immune system is working against the body rather than just supporting it like most antibodies do against infection, etc. By binding to B-lymphocyte stimulator, Benlysta suppresses the survival of these specific B-cell lymphocytes and the differentiation of these B-cell lymphocytes into antibody-producing cells that make the autoimmune factors causing lupus.

LUPUS WALK CONTESTS!

Lupus Walk web contests are heating up!  Vote for your favorite today!  
Enter to win a 32" smart TV or a Apple earpods! 
Vote for your favorites EVERY DAY! 

I Am Walking for... Contest front runners!

Team T-Shirt Contest front runners!

Alex, Sami and ... is in the lead with 719 votes!

Mari is close behind with 542 votes!!

Stacey is in the lead with 746 votes!

Mari is close with 722 votes!

Did you know about the Virtual run WALK ride for Lupus contests?  We HAVE a LOT of prizes!  find out how to win a:

  • Cuisinart 18- piece grill set!
  • Athleta gift cards ($50 & $100)!
  • Jabra Titanium/Black!
  • Autoimmune Bath salts gift bag!

Download the WEB CONTESTS flyer here!    

Download the SOCIAL MEDIA # CONTESTS flyer here!

LUPUS WALK AMBASSADORS

Why do we walk?  Click the image to read these inspiring stories!

Carissa Calascibetta

LaShon Gurrola, RN

Donna Emery

Bill Evans & Patti Engstrom

Stacey Kennedy-Conner

Dr. Ailda Nika

Gina Casto

Mari Gonzalez

Robet Knapel

Kay Mimms

LUPUS CHARITY RUNNERS

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon?  Why not run for the LSI!

LSI offers runners support every step of the way.  

Find out more here or call Mary at 312-648-6053.

THANK YOU!

Charles, Marie & Meaghan at the 2021 LRS Golf Outing

Lakeshore Recycling Systems Hosts 3rd Annual Golf Outing Benefitting LSI!

On Wednesday, July 21, Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Inc. - led by CEO Alan Handley - hosted their 3rd Annual Golf Outing benefitting the LSI!  Hundreds came out to golf at Cog Hill and raise funds for LSI's mission.

LSI is grateful for the support of Alan Handley and his entire team at LRS - especially Marie and Meaghan.  Click here for more pictures

SUPPORT GROUP UPDATE

Need Support?  We Have You Covered!

Did you know that LSI has 10 support groups throughout Illinois? This week the leaders had their own meeting to share ideas, brainstorm new ideas and connect on being a support group leader. Currently these meeting are being held virtually through GoToMeeting. So, if you have ever thought about joining a group, now is the time. These leaders are amazing women. 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!

Aspire & Disability Lead Present: Building Disability Equity in Healthcare

LaShon Gurrola (an LSI Support Group Leader for 2 groups!) is featured on a panel on August 5, 2021 from noon-1pm! The event is virtual and FREE! Download the details and support one of our best Support Group Leaders!

 

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.

 

Dr. Robert Katz

Should People with Lupus Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
By Dr. Robert Katz

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 

 

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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