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October 2024 

A Letter from the President

Happy Halloween!

I hope this email finds you well!

Lots to report in the lupus community this Halloween!

First, a HUGE congratulations to the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Lupus Charity Runners team!  We had 36 runners on the team this year and they raised over $70,000 for our mission!  

The Lupus Charity Runners team is always inspiring.  Hearing their stories, getting to know them and cheering them on during the race is a tradition at LSI. Thanks to all of our runners over the years who have made lupus awareness a priority.

If you are interested in joining Lupus Charity Runners for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, let us know!  we are currently recruiting runners and have guaranteed spots as well.  We have a terrific program and every year we get repeat runners – which I think says a lot about our program.  You can read more about last year’s event and this year’s program below.

Funds raised at the Illinois Lupus Walk and the Lupus Charity Runners team make our mission possible – events like the Annual Rush Lupus Clinic and LSI Educational Event that is coming up on December 7th.  Every year, we get a huge number of participants to come to this event and learn from the experts at Rush.  Dr. Jolly and her team put together an excellent program and we are thrilled to be able to bring this to you every year.

For the first time, LSI had a team in the Governors State University Run Walk & Roll event on October 27th.  We brought together volunteers, walkers, runners, and kids of all ages to this fun event.  Thanks to everyone involved for making this event happen.

In other news, thanks to Felicia and Robertha for representing LSI at a Health Fair in late September.  LSI received a lovely thank you letter form the organizers about how valued their hard work was.  

LSI could not exist without our wonderful and hardworking volunteers.  Thank you!

As we wrap our activities up for 2024, we are already planning an amazing 2025!  If you are interested in getting involved in planning walks or events at LSI, please contact us!  We are a small and mighty team and we welcome ideas on how to extend our reach.

We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!  
Together we make a difference.

Mary Dollear
 

 

Research Opportunity

This Activate study aims to engage and empower community leaders to share accurate and well guided messages about COVID-19 vaccines with their community members. 

For more information click here or contact mary@lupusil.org.

 

Annual Rush Lupus Clinic & LSI Educational Event

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Where Medicine Meets Music
Physical & Mental Healing Through Music
7:00 PM | Thursday, November 7, 2024
Facebook Live 

 

Annual RUSH Lupus Clinic & LSI Education Event 2024
Saturday, December 7, 2024  |  9:00 AM CST - 1:30 PM CST 

Topics Include:

  • Skin & Lupus Presented by Dr. Maureen Riegert
  • Lupus Disease & Lupus Presented by Dr. Dmitriy Cherny 
  • Lupus & Heart Disease Presented by Dr. Ailda Nika 
  • Advocacy & Self Care Presented by LaShon Gurrola  MSN, FNP 
  • RUSH Lupus Clinic Q & A  

Sponsored by:

LUPUS CHARITY RUNNERS

2024 Lupus Charity Runner Team 

The 2024 Lupus Charity Runners had 36 participants for this year's Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  Working with this team over the course of a year and hearing their stories and connections to lupus is inspiring and it was an honor to have them representing LSI. 

The Friday prior to the race, we host a pasta dinner for the runners and guests.  This year's event was very well attended and we were so happy to see all of the connections that were made.  Thanks to the runners and guests who came out to share experiences and a carb-up for the big day.  

The volunteers who came out at 6am on race day to help LSI set up our cheer station were amazing!  The Cheer Station a great opportunity to provide the support and encouragement our runners need on their incredible journey.  Thanks to Sharonna, Emily and Shaheen.  

This year's team raised over $70,000 for our mission!  Thanks to all of our runners who made this possible.

Even more photos from the event are on our Flickr page.

 

Join Lupus Charity Runners for the 
2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

If you have your own spot in the Chicago Marathon, join us!

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! 
  • 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! 

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wrap Up
Governors State Annual Run Walk Roll
October 27, 2024

Supporters came out for the Annual Governors State (GSU) Annual Run Walk Roll to enjoy the fun and support a great cause.

LSI had a team in the event for the first time.  LSI had face painting and kids activities as well as a raffle.  Highlights included food trucks, a DJ, and the GSU mascot.

Thanks to the Southern Suburbs Committee for making this event possible and an especially large thank you goes to Veronica at GSU who made this event happen.

HEALTH FAIRS

On September 26, 2024, two volunteers from LSI brought awareness and education to a health fair.  The event was Commissioner Lowry's 4th Annual Men's Health Fair. 

In a thank you letter sent to LSI following the event, Commissioner Lowry wrote "We’re writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for your participation in Commissioner Lowry's 4th Annual Men's Health Fair. Your support was invaluable in making this event a resounding success, and we were able to service over 100 Cook County residents (85% were male attendees)!"

Thanks to Robertha and Felicia who participated in this event.

SUPPORT GROUP UPDATE

LSI's Support Groups are an amazing resource. Meetings are run by lupus warrior volunteers who commit themselves to leading meetings and serving their communities. 

  You can find the LSI's support groups listed here and on our calendar here.

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

New memories are being made every day!  Join us and make memories of your own.

Share your photos, memories and congratulations!  We're celebrating our 50th anniversary and we want to hear from YOU!  Share your stories, photos or just congratulations here or post to social media using #LSI50!

Visit our website here and share!

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

 

312-542-0002 | info@lupusil.org 
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