Lupus Society of Illinois 

eChronicle March 2017
 We've Moved! 
Our new offices are: 
411 S. Wells St., Suite 710 | Chicago, IL 60607 
Our phone, email and website address will remain the same!  

  When you #StartWithaSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Lupus Society of Illinois. Bookmark this link!  
In This Issue
Quick Links
Upcoming Events

2017 Bank of America 
Chicago Marathon

Exciting News! Register for the Bank of America's Shamrock Shuffle with this link and $5 of your registration fee will be donated to the LSI!

Join Lupus Charity Runners while you're at it! contact LSI for more info@lupusil.org or call  312-542-0002.
2017 Bank of America 
Chicago Marathon

Guarantee Your Spot TODAY!
 
LSI has a few more spots!  Find out MORE 
Volunteers Needed for Lupus Clinical Trial

Do you have active lupus symptoms that are not fully controlled by your medications? 
 
If you so, you may be eligible for the XSEL clinical trial being conducted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Qualified participants will receive the investigation medication or placebo at no cost.

Please call our staff at 312-503-1919 between 8a.m. and 4 p.m. for more information.
  
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 
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.
CFC #: 21759
A Message from the President & CEO

It's here: Spring.  
 
Every year it's a pleasant surprise.  We may still have a few cold and rainy days ahead (this is Illinois after all) but spring is definitely on its way! And with spring, come s Lupus Awareness Month. 
 
May is Lupus Awareness Month and - not coincidentally - the beginning of the Illinois Lupus Walk season! We have 2 Illinois Lupus Walks in May - the Northern Suburbs on May 7th and the Southern Suburbs on May 20th. 
 
Don't get confused by other lupus walks. 
 
If you haven't been to an Illinois Lupus Walk - you should sign up.  No matter what the weather is like, LSI's participants and advocates are always warm and welcoming.  There's nothing to combat the challenges of lupus like being around hundreds who understand what it's like to live with this disease.  And funds raised go to the LSI's mission - that includes FREE programs and services like the Living with Lupus Grant, Lupus Community Navigator program and educational events.
 
Speaking of educational events, LSI's last teleconference " Lupus & the Blood" was a great success.  Like all of our Educational Teleconferences, you can listen to the entire event through our website.  Our next educational event is our annual Spanish Language seminar on June 2nd. 
 
 
And most of all, start planning for Lupus Awareness Month!  It's a great opportunity to create awareness in your community - and we can help you do it!
 
Together we make a difference,


Charles Brummell

Educational Teleconference
Lupus & The Blood presented by Dr. Zineb Aouhab

On Thursday, March 9, 2017 Dr. Zineb Aouhab presented on Lupus & The Blood - an hour long teleconference sponsored by the LSI.

Registered participants received a toll-free call-in number for the event.  The presentation lasted about 40 minutes with a lively 20 minute Q & A.

Thanks to Dr. Aouhab, an Assistant Professor at Loyola Medicine.

The presentation was recorded and can be heard on LSI's website here.
News You Can Use
Lupus and Hair Loss

About 50% of people with lupus will experience hair loss at some point during the course of their disease.

Hair loss can be a symptom of lupus or a side effect of some medications.  If you have SLE, controlling the disease is the best way to avoid further hair loss and hair will usually grow back.  If you have cutaneous or skin lupus and you have scarring on your scalp, there may be permanent damage that could prohibit the hair from growing back.
 
It's important to remember NOT to use any over the counter hair loss solutions (like Rogaine) without talking to your doctor. 

Most hair loss solutions focus on Alopecia - a different cause for hair loss.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns.  If you want more information, contact the LSI at info@lupusil.org or call 312-542-0002.
Memorial Artwork
 
Late last year, the LSI was approached by the Foundation for Hospital Art about providing us artwork in honor of Sara Sullivan.

Sara was a former board member and lupus activist who passed away on August 15, 2015 at the age of 52. 

The artwork is displayed in LSI's reception area and will serve as a reminder of Sara's courage as well as everyone in the lupus community who has lost their battle with this disease.
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.

MORE
Making a Differencegrant
Living with Lupus Grant
Every month, LSI funds up to 2 grants for individuals living with lupus to cover medical expenses.  The program called the Living With Lupus Grant Program makes an impact in the lives of those it serves.

Dear LSI Team:
 
I cannot thank you enough for awarding me the Living With Lupus Grant. Truly I am grateful for the opportunity to use the money towards costs that will help me on this journey of living with lupus. Please continue in the fight of finding a cure for lupus and meanwhile offering opportunities like workshops, conferences and this grant for people like myself who need resources and support battling this cruel disease.
 
Thanks again,
Faith L. Walls
 
For more information or to apply for the financial assistance, click here
Junior BoardJRBD
LSI Junior Board Hosts Fun & Unique Activity! 
LSI Junior Board before the workout

On Saturday, February 25th, LSI Junior Board hosted a unique fundraiser - Bounce with Us!
 
Bounce with Us was hosted at Bellicon Studio- the country's first rebounding studio utilizing mini-trampolines called the bellicon. The instructor, Trish Carolan, led the hour long class with participants of varying fitness levels. Thanks to the trampoline, the workout is low-impact, meaning you won't feel the aftermath of what running on a treadmill would do to your joints once you've completed your work out. Thanks to the great instructor and music, the workout was fun - and effective! (read more about Bellicon's health benefits here)
 
LSI Junior board raised nearly $1,000 through registered participants, donations and raffle.
 
For more information on the LSI Junior board email mary@lupusil.org. For more information on Bellicon,   click here.

Questions?  call 312-542-0002 or email info@lupusil.org
Lupus Support Group Leader LuncheonSGLL

On Saturday, March 11th, LSI hosted a luncheon for support group leaders.  Charles Brummell and Taurean Jackson represented the LSI.

The group discussed a variety of topics including awareness, advocacy and recruiting more support group leaders.

Thanks to everyone who attended and shared their ideas on how to continue to make a difference in Illinois' lupus community!

See more photos from the event here.

If you are interested in starting a support group, contact Mary at mary@lupusil.org or call 312-542-0002.
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