Lupus Society of Illinois 

eChronicle  November 2015
In This Issue
Quick Links
Upcoming Events

November 12
Teleconference: Resources for the Lupus Community

November 21
Volunteer Awards Luncheon

December 1, 2015
Giving Tuesday

December 12
Holiday Dreams: Cure for Lupus Dinner Dance presented by the South Side Lupus Organization

January 30
Empowering Lupus Patients Educational Seminar

March 10
Bank of America
Chicago Marathon

Congratulations to our 2015 Lupus Charity Runners for raising nearly $50,000 towards our mission!

Thanks also to the volunteers who came out to cheer our Lupus Charity Runners on!

Way to go!
Shamrock Shuffle
April 3, 2015

Kick off the spring season with the 37th Annual Shamrock Shuffle!

This 8k (4.97 mile) winds its way through the loop - starting and finishing in Grant Park.

For more information click here or contact Brianna Svec at brianna@lupusil.org.
December 1, 2015


#GivingTuesday is a special call to action to create a global day of giving that brings diverse organizations and communities around the world together to give back.

#GivingTuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving - after Black Friday and Cyber Monday - the movement encourages giving back.

LSI is hosting a giving campaign encouraging donations and posting "unselfies" to social media.

Find out more and get ready for #GivingTuesday!
Invitation  

You're Invited!

To become a member of the National Lupus Initiative!

A collaborative project of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Illinois Public Health Association Division of Health Equity.
 
To join contact Karen Mancera-Curevas at (312) 503-0251. 

MORE 
Genetic Lupus Study

You Could Change the Future of Lupus.

Be one of 5,000 participants
to join the largest genetics study of lupus.

Find out More
Archived Educational Teleconferences 

LSI archives educational teleconferneces on our website. Download the Disability & Lupus presentation and the Lupus & Bone Health teleconference here.

LSI's next teleconference is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2015.  Register today! 
CFC #: 21759
A Message from the President & CEO

Charles in costume
Thanksgiving is the most appropriate time for us to thank our volunteers which is why we are hosting the Volunteer Awards Luncheon on November 21, 2015 - the Saturday before Thanksgiving!

There is no way LSI could achieve our mission without the support of our dedicated and passionate volunteers.  We are fortunate to have your continued support.  This year's awardees are listed below and you can see them here as well.

The Volunteer Awards Luncheon is a fun and casual event and we hope that you will be able to attend.  Seats are limited so we hope to see you there.

The LSI Junior Board hosted Bowl-O-Ween - a fun, family friendly event that was costume encouraged.  I was pleased to attend (wearing a costume!) and mingle with others in the lupus community who are committed to working together to achieve our mission.  Thanks to all of the LSI Junior Board members who have made possible another unique and fun opportunity to spread lupus awareness!

Speaking of spreading awareness, the South Side Lupus Organization is hosting its annual dinner dance on Saturday, December 12, 2015.  The Holiday Dreams: Cure for Lupus Dinner Dance is an elegant evening held at the Olympia Fields Country Club. The committee is committed to raising funds and awareness about lupus and the LSI - and we can't be more grateful for their hard work.

This evening, LSI is hosting the "Resources for the Lupus Community" teleconference.  Registration is free but required to get the toll free call in number.   You can register here.

And don't forget to mark your calendars for the Empowering Lupus Patients Educational Event on January 30, 2016!  The location has moved but the event's heart is still the same: providing the lupus community the tools to live well with lupus.

We hope to see you at the Volunteer Awards Luncheon on Saturday or at one of our other upcoming events.  

Together we make a difference.

Charles Brummell 
Congratulations to the LSI Junior Board for hosting a fun, family-friendly Halloween Bowling Party!  Families and friends turned up in costume (including our own President & CEO Charles Brummell!) to bowl, win prizes and support the LSI's mission!

The LSI Junior Board is a volunteer organization comprised of younger individuals from the lupus community who are committed to raising awareness about lupus and supporting the Lupus Society of Illinois' mission.

If you are interested in getting involved with the LSI Junior Board, contact Brianna Svec at brianna@lupusil.org.  
Donations Making A Difference
Funds raised through the Illinois Lupus Walks and general donations are used to achieve LSI's mission in
Illinois.  T hese are just some of the examples of how LSI turns donation dollars into service to the lupus community.
Navigator Corner 
Support when you need it

The Lupus Society of Illinois offers support on virtually any lupus related topics.  Over the last few weeks, LSI has received questions on everything from support groups, medications and physician referrals. 

Pay your premium
The Importance of Paying Your Insurance on Time
 
It's important to pay your insurance premiums on time. Insurance companies can cancel your insurance if you fall behind.
 
The Lupus Navigator got a call from Benlysta Gateway about financial assistance for an Illinois resident who had not paid her insurance premiums in full and fell 90 days behind and as a result her insurance was cancelled. Subsequently, the patient owes over $10,000 in medical expenses for infusions.
 
How did this happen? The office infusing the patient wasn't notified that the insurance was cancelled and when the doctor's office checked the insurance status of the patient, the patient was still listed as insured. So, the patient continued to get infusions monthly not knowing each infusion would be costing her upwards of $4,000 each.
 
Benlysta and the makers of Benlysta, GlaxoSmithKlein, have financial assistance for those who cannot afford Benlysta however, use of the assistance should be secured prior to receiving the infusion.
 
Since the patient was infused over 3 times without insurance, the medical bill is in excess of $10,000.
 
LSI was able to offer some help through the Living with Lupus Grant program.
 
If your insurance is changing or if you are having trouble paying your premiums, keep in contact with your doctor's office.

If you have any lupus-related questions please contact the LSI's Navigator for assistance or call 312-542-0002.
Volunteer Awards Luncheon 
Making A Difference

Join Us for the 2015 Volunteer Awards Luncheon celebrating our OUTSTANDING 2013 & 2014 VOLUNTEERS!



Saturday, November 21, 2015
11:00am-11:30am - Reception & Registration 
11:30am - 2:00pm - Luncheon & Awards Presentation
Maggiano's LIttle Italy
240 Oakbrook Center
Impact: Lupus 
Making A Difference

Every month, the Lupus Society of Illinois provides up to two financial assistance grants of up to $400 each to help pay for a medical, lupus-related expense.

This past month, two grants paid (or are in the process of being paid) for physician visits, medical supplies and medications.

The financial burden of lupus can be overwhelming.  The LSI strives to support the lupus community however we can and the Living with Lupus grant financial assistance program is one way we work to achieve that goal.

If you are interested in applying for the grant, please complete the application here or contact Taurean Jackson at (312) 542-0004 for more information. 
Educational Events  
Thanks to the generosity of donors and the success of the Illinois Lupus Walks, LSI is able to provide these programs at NO COST to participants. 
Resources for the Lupus Community Teleconference
 
Presented by the Lupus Society of Illinois 
Thursday, November 12, 2015 | 6:30pm
Registration Required for toll free call-in number  

Nutrition and Lupus Teleconference

Presented by
Marla Brodsky, RD, LD, BCIM
Thursday, March 10, 2016 | 6:30pm
Registration Required for toll free call-in number 
 
Empowering Lupus Patients Educational Event
Saturday, January 30, 2015
10:00am-11:00am Lupus and Clinical Trials
11:15am-12:15pm Lupus Basics
12:30pm-1:30pm Living Well With Lupus Panel Discussion

WAC L203, Butler Reception Room
Saint Xavier University
3700 West 103rd St.
Chicago, IL 60655
Registration Requested 
Our Mission
LSI promotes lupus awareness and complements the work of health care professionals by providing personalized resources for the lupus community while supporting research.
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